Every aerialist approaches learning differently, and understanding your learning style can help you progress faster, overcome challenges, and make training more fun. Most people are a mix of styles but tend to lean toward one dominant way of processing information. Let’s explore the main learning styles in aerial silks and how they impact your training.
1. Kinesthetic Learners: Learning by Doing
Kinesthetic learners thrive on physical practice. They need to feel the movement in their body to understand it fully, often benefiting from repeating a skill over and over until it clicks. For these learners, it’s less about verbal explanations or visuals and more about hands-on experience.
How to Optimize Your Practice:
Practice skills multiple times, focusing on subtle adjustments with each attempt.
Use trial and error to experiment with how your body feels in different positions. Try moving through skills extra slow to give your brain more time to process the details.
Incorporate conditioning drills and progressions to build muscle memory.
Common Challenge:
Kinesthetic learners may become frustrated if they’re not given enough time to experiment or if they try to rush without understanding the foundational mechanics. It's also easy to get physically exhausted from repetition. Communicate with your instructor to help them help you as you get the hang of a new skill, and be sure to monitor your energy levels. It's okay to take a break and try again the next session - often our first attempt a day later is better than any attempt from the previous training.
2. Verbal Learners: Learning Through Words
Verbal learners benefit from discussing the move and hearing detailed explanations. They process information best when they can break it down step by step in conversation or talk through what they’re doing. The interesting thing is that someone who benefits from talking about the skill may NOT benefit from hearing about it. These are different cognitive processes!
How to Optimize Your Practice:
Ask your coach for specific verbal cues or feedback.
Talk yourself through the steps of a move as you practice (e.g., “Engage core, pull up, wrap leg”).
Discuss challenges and solutions with other aerialists to deepen your understanding.
Common Challenge:
Verbal learners may struggle if instructions are vague or if they’re not given opportunities to ask questions and clarify details.
3. Visual Learners: Learning by Watching
Visual learners absorb information best by seeing a move performed—sometimes multiple times and from different angles. For these learners, it’s all about observing and mentally mapping the movement before trying it themselves.
How to Optimize Your Practice:
Watch demonstrations from various angles to understand how the move works.
Use slow-motion videos or tutorials to break down complex skills.
Visualize the move in your head before attempting it physically.
Some aerialists even like drawing the moves!
Common Challenge:
Visual learners can feel stuck if they don’t have access to clear demonstrations or videos. They may hesitate to attempt a move without fully “seeing” it first.
4. Analytical Learners: Learning by Understanding Mechanics
Some aerialists learn best by understanding the why behind a move (this is why many aerialists gravitate toward Aerial Silks Online. Analytical learners thrive on breaking down the physics, anatomy, and mechanics of silks to see how everything fits together.
How to Optimize Your Practice:
Study the details of movement, such as tension, weight distribution, and body position.
Ask your instructor to explain why certain techniques work (e.g., “Why does this grip give me more stability? Why should my hips be high when I'm in an inverted position?").
Reflect on your practice by analyzing what went right or wrong after each attempt.
Common Challenge:
Analytical learners may need time and space to understand the "hows" and "whys" of a move which are not always available in group classes. Consider platforms like Aerial Silks Online where you will get full breakdowns where no details are missed.
Blended Learning Styles: Most People Are a Mix
While you may identify strongly with one style, most aerialists are a blend of multiple learning types. For example:
A visual learner might also need verbal cues to connect the dots.
A kinesthetic learner may benefit from watching a demonstration before trying it themselves.
Recognizing your dominant style while embracing elements of other approaches can give you a more well-rounded and adaptable training experience.
How to Make the Most of your Learning Style in Your Aerial Silks Training
Communicate With Your Instructor: Share what works best for you so they can tailor their teaching style to your needs.
Customize Your Practice: Use tools like videos, verbal cues, or extra reps to complement your style.
Explore Different Resources: Platforms like Aerial Silks Online cater to multiple learning styles with detailed tutorials, multiple angles, and step-by-step verbal instructions.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your learning style is key to unlocking your potential in aerial silks. Whether you’re a kinesthetic learner who thrives on repetition, a visual learner who needs to see it first, or a verbal learner who benefits from discussions, the most important thing is to embrace your unique way of learning and use it to your advantage. What do you think? What other learning styles have you noticed in silks?
