VERTICAL FUSION AERIAL HAMMOCK (SLING) LEVELS


Our aerial hammock (sling) curriculum consists of five levels as outlined below. We require that each student be approved and assessed with a formal "test out" before moving on to the next level. As well, students with previous experience may be asked to have an assessment to determine level placement. For more info or to schedule an assessment/test out, contact the studio.
Intro: This Aerial Hammock/Sling class is for individuals who are brand new to aerial dance and want to learn how to fly! It will start with a brief orientation, followed by a warm up and a low impact conditioning segment to prepare you for the basic aerial sling moves, spins, transitions and wraps to follow. This class is for everyone and anyone; previous dance experience is not required. Completion of Intro to Aerial hammock/sling is required to move onto beginner aerial hammock/sling technique.

Beginner: In beginner level we will cover entrances such as pull over mount and shoulder hang to invert; under-the-hammock moves such as plank and single-leg plank; in-the-hammock moves such as lion/star, peter pan, and birds nest; open hammock moves such as pigeon and mermaid. For testing out of the beginner level, students must demonstrate the following skills:

  • Pull up 10 Second
  • Plank 10 Seconds
  • Standard Inversion (Smooth entrance)
  • Hip Key
  • Cinnamon Twist
  • Cowgirl
  • Pull Over Mount
  • Lion/Star
  • Gazelle
  • Angel
  • Split Away
  • Genie Sit
  • Diaper Wrap
  • Superman
  • 2 of 4 pre-determined sequences consisting of 4 moves each

Novice: In novice level we will cover entrances such as the split-away and flip over to invert; under-the-hammock moves such as needle and wrapped-arm inverts; in-the-hammock moves such as lotus hang, martini, and single-hip split; open hammock moves such as shoulder stand and sail; and rolls such as infinity and single leg mill. For testing out of the novice level, students must demonstrate the following skills:
  • Reverse Split Away
  • Coffin
  • Leg Press Invert
  • Arabesque
  • Archer
  • Candy Cane
  • Running Man
  • Bow
  • Airplane
  • Flip the Cat
  • Flag
  • 2 of 4 pre-determined sequences consisting of 4 moves each


Intermediate: In intermediate level we will cover entrances such as circus climb and Russian climb; in-the-hammock moves such as inverted bird of paradise, wrapped split, and hip-key split; and drops such as fang and knee hang. For testing out of the intermediate level, students must demonstrate the following skills:
  • Circus Climbs (to the top)
  • Forearm Stand
  • Russian Climb
  • Strong Hold
  • Pretzel
  • Music Box
  • Cross Belt
  • Assisted Armbreaker
  • Forward Roll (Salto)
  • Fang Drop
  • 2-3 min freestyle consisting of intermediate moves and transitions

Advanced: In advanced level we will cover moves such as assisted croc, loop de loop, inverted bow and arrow, triple whip, star drop, and candy cane drop. Advanced is our highest level so students will continue mastering their advanced skills with a focus on quality of movement, innovating new moves and transitions, performance, and/or competition.

Note: Clients new to Vertical Fusion who have previous aerial hammock or silks experience are not required to start with intro. However, we do request that you create a profile in our online registration system and then contact the studio to let us know that you have previous experience. We will give you our best recommendation for which classes to take and we will note your profile so your instructor(s) are aware that you were approved to skip intro.

Fort Collins: (970) 377-9945 (call)