5 Proven Strategies for Building a Consistent Aerial Practice
As a coach dedicated to guiding you through this incredible journey, I can't emphasize enough the importance of consistency in practice. Whether you're a beginner taking your first steps off the ground or an intermediate student perfecting your form, establishing a consistent practice routine is fundamental to your success. In this blog, we'll delve into the whys and hows of maintaining a regular aerial schedule, armed with insights from psychology, functional anatomy, and more.
The Benefits of a Consistent Aerial Practice
Regular practice in aerial arts does more than improve your physical capabilities; it transforms your entire approach to the discipline. Consistency helps develop muscle memory, an essential element in mastering complex movements. Muscle memory, according to neuroscience, involves the consolidation of a specific motor task into memory through repetition. When you practice consistently, you’re essentially training your brain to remember and execute these movements more efficiently.
From a functional anatomy perspective, consistent practice aids in strengthening the specific muscle groups crucial for aerial arts, enhancing your overall physical performance. This regular engagement of muscles ensures better flexibility, increased strength, and improved endurance.
Psychologically, a regular routine fosters a sense of discipline and commitment. It also significantly boosts confidence, as you’re able to witness your progress over time. This progress, in turn, acts as a natural motivator, pushing you to achieve even more.
Intrinsic motivation is a powerful driver, especially in the realm of aerial arts. When you are intrinsically motivated, your drive to practice regularly stems from an internal desire to improve for the sake of personal growth, rather than external rewards or recognition. This type of motivation is often more sustainable and fulfilling, as it is aligned with personal values and interests.
Additionally, a regular practice routine significantly boosts confidence. As you engage consistently, you're able to witness firsthand the progress you make – each new move mastered, each routine polished a little more. This visible progress is not just rewarding; it serves as a natural motivator. It ignites a cycle where progress fuels motivation, and motivation, in turn, fuels further progress.
On the other hand, extrinsic motivation also plays a role. This involves external factors such as praise from a coach, applause from an audience, or even social media recognition. While extrinsic motivators can be effective in the short term, they might not sustain your passion and commitment in the long run. The key is finding a balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.
Common Barriers to Consistency
The journey towards establishing a consistent practice routine in aerial arts is often met with several barriers, each posing its own set of challenges.
1. Time Availability and Class Scheduling:
One of the most significant barriers to regular practice is finding time in your busy schedule. Juggling work, family, and other commitments can often leave little room for aerial classes. Additionally, class schedules may not always align with your available time, making it even more challenging to maintain regular attendance.
2. Access to Classes and Facilities:
Not everyone has the luxury of living in proximity to a well-equipped aerial studio. For many, the nearest studio might be hours away, posing a significant challenge to regular practice. The availability of different types of classes and levels can also be a limitation, especially if you're looking for specific training or advanced classes.
3. Social Circles and Community Involvement:
Your social environment can greatly influence your consistency in practice. If your immediate social circle doesn't share your interest in aerial arts, it can be harder to stay motivated and committed. The support and encouragement of like-minded individuals are often crucial in maintaining regular practice.
4. Financial Barriers:
Participating in aerial arts can be costly. The expenses of classes, studio memberships, and potentially, travel to and from the studio can add up, making it a significant financial commitment. This financial aspect can be a substantial barrier for many aspiring aerialists.
5. Worries About Integrating in Different Level Classes:
For beginners or those transitioning to a higher level, there's often a concern about fitting in or keeping up with the class. This apprehension can be about not being "good enough" or feeling out of place among more experienced practitioners. These worries can deter individuals from attending classes regularly, hindering their progress.
While these barriers are valid and affect many aerialists, they are not insurmountable. Strategic planning, seeking supportive communities, budgeting, and finding alternative solutions like online classes can help overcome these challenges. It’s important to remember that every aerialist faces obstacles, and finding personalized ways to navigate these can make your practice even more rewarding.
The 5 winning strategies for consistency
1. Setting Realistic Goals
Goal setting plays a pivotal role in establishing consistency. Start by setting realistic, achievable goals. These could range from attending a certain number of classes per week to mastering a specific move in a month. The SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) is a useful framework to apply. Remember, your goals should challenge you but also be within reach to avoid frustration and burnout.
2. Creating a Personalized Practice Schedule
Your practice schedule should align with your lifestyle and commitments. If you’re a morning person, consider scheduling your training sessions early in the day. If evenings work better for you, plan accordingly. The key is to find a rhythm that suits you and stick to it. It’s also important to be flexible and adapt your schedule when necessary, as rigidity can lead to unnecessary stress. Usually aerial classes tend to be in the evening, but you can fit other workouts and practices in other times during the week.
3. Incorporating Variety into Practice
Variety not only keeps your practice interesting but also ensures a well-rounded development of skills. Mix up your training with different elements. Include sessions focused on flexibility, strength training, and specific aerial techniques. This approach prevents monotony and keeps you engaged. It also gives you the opportunity to train in other places than just the aerial studio. We covered the importance of weight training, Yoga and Pilates in another blog here.
4. Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated
Keeping a training log or making video recordings of your practice can be incredibly rewarding. These tools allow you to track your progress, understand areas that need improvement, and visibly see how far you’ve come. To stay motivated, set small rewards for yourself when you achieve a goal. This could be anything from a relaxing day off to a special treat. In my programme The Aerialist’s Starter Toolkit, I created a workbook where you can plan your monthly and weekly training, which helps keep track of progress and build structure for personal accountability.
Joining an aerial community or engaging with a coach can also provide the encouragement and support you need to stay on track. Sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone in your journey can be a huge motivator. You can join my community on my Instagram by following me here.
5. Balancing Practice with Rest and Recovery
An often-overlooked aspect of a consistent practice routine is the inclusion of rest and recovery. Overtraining can lead to injuries, fatigue, and a decrease in performance. Incorporate rest days into your schedule and engage in activities that aid recovery, like yoga or light stretching. Listening to your body is key. If you feel overly tired or sore, give yourself permission to take a break. We have covered another important blog about managing aches and pains during training.
Developing a consistent aerial practice schedule is a journey that requires patience, dedication, and self-awareness. Remember, every small step you take is a step towards mastery in aerial arts. Embrace the process, celebrate your progress, and know that with each practice, you’re not just flying higher, but also growing stronger, both physically and mentally.
