Bloom
Aerial Teacher Training
What is your fullest expression as a teacher?
I'm Sara Kaiser. I fell in love with aerial silks in 2015 and began instructing since 2018. I ran programs for six years in Bishop, CA, including a comprehensive, multi-apparatus teacher training.
I design teacher training to be deeply supportive of both student and teacher. This immersive, in-depth training balances methodology and frameworks with a pathway for creative, confident, inspired teaching.
We'll explore the often unspoken elements of teaching (such as how your nervous system plays into classroom feedback loops) and walk through common challenges and scenarios that aerial instructors encounter so that when they come up, you're not caught off guard.
As a group, we'll explore how to nurture collaborative class environments, healthy student-teacher dynamics, somatic learning, and embodying your unique style as an instructor.
Empowerment is the core of my teaching philosophy.
This training is for aerialists who take the responsibility of teaching seriously and are prepared to show up to all live calls and put 5-10 hours per week into this program.
This program purposefully takes place over a longer time period than many other trainings so that you can receive the depth of knowledge and level of support you need to feel clear and confident as you take on the responsibilities, risks, and joys of teaching aerial arts.
~Sara
Your insights, creativity, and strengths are welcomed and celebrated in this training.
Teaching aerial arts is an ongoing practice shaped by your own experience and perspective.
M O D U L E S
7 virtual live sessions take place on Sundays at 10am PT every other week, + assignments.
1. Teaching Aerial Arts - empowered learning, learning styles, nervous system leadership, messaging & the student's story, building culture & community
2. Anatomy of Aerial Arts - fundamental studies in aerial-specific anatomy using Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts by Emily Scherb (required reading)
3. Foundational Theory & Technique - study key aerial fundamentals, cueing, advanced technique for beginners, frameworks for empowering students with options and deeper knowledge
4: The Classroom Ecosystem - management, embodied leadership, scanning for risk, emotion, & fatigue, setting expectations, mixed levels, progressions, classroom feedback loops and student dynamics, boundaries
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5. Designing & Adapting Classes & Curriculum- the student journey, structure, intuition, creativity, collaborative learning
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Bonus Session: The Aerial Entrepreneur
Q&A Professionalism, studio dynamics, & entrepreneurship
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IN-PERSON SESSIONS:
Day 1: Fundamental body positions & engagement across apparatuses, key
Day 2: Spotting, Progressions, & Cueing
Day 3: Teaching Practice
Day 4: Scenario Role Play, ladder rescue, injury emergency
PROGRAM PERKS
✨Lifetime access to all materials and content
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✨Ongoing direct feedback and dialogue with Sara
✨1-year access to Aerial Silks Online full library
✨Accountability buddy for ongoing support and motivation
✨WhatsApp group & email support
✨Access to Sara's class planning and tracking templates and curricula
FAQ
Who is eligible?
Anyone who has been training aerial arts consistently for three or more years and is over the age of 18 is eligible for this certification. You must also have access to a safe aerial setup.
Is this just for new teachers?
This training is designed for both new and experienced teachers, it just depends what you feel would benefit you. Take a look at the modules and email wakefulascent@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Who is this designed for?
This teacher training is designed for existing or prospective teachers who want to build strong, comprehensive foundations, from anatomy to navigating student dynamics. This is for individuals who value inquiry, dialogue, and want to feel well-prepared for the complexities of aerial classrooms. This is not for anyone who is looking for the fastest or easiest route to certification.
What apparatuses are included?
This training is designed to teach you how to teach aerial arts with specific explorations on aerial silks and aerial hoop and primary emphasis on silks. This training does strongly emphasize foundations, but does not go into a large volume of tricks - that is for your journeying and choice as a specialist. This training is focused on aerial fundamentals, frameworks for teaching, classroom management, and leadership. This training emphasizes autonomy and curating your personal teaching style over one "way" of teaching particular skills.
Are there multiple levels?
This training is intended as a comprehensive training. Continuing education modules will be offered in the future, but there is no intention for a "Level 1, 2, 3" structure for this program.
I've seen aerial teacher trainings for cheaper. Why is your price what it is?
1 - Many aerial teacher trainings are broken into multiple parts that you pay for separately, making them look cheaper at first glance but often 2/3rds more expensive in the long run. This program is three months long and covers a LOT of material over that time period.
2 - Many aerial teacher trainings are week-long intensives. This program is a 3-month container designed for deeper learning. This includes regular meetings, feedback on assignments, an in-person intensive, a small group of fellow teacher trainees that you will get to know and continue to grow with after the training. This design is purposeful - to ensure that you actually have the skills and support you need to start teaching safely and confidently.
3- This program is intended for aerialists who take their teaching seriously and want to take every measure to ensure they are prepared to take on the risks and responsibilities that come with the territory. If you want to get an aerial teacher training certification as quickly and cheaply as possible, this program is not for you.
Is this a good training for learning to teach youth?
While the principles in this training can be applied to teaching youth, it is NOT specific to youth, and does not cover child development. Specialized trainings are highly encouraged for anyone looking to teach youth, pre/postnatal, or plus-size aerialists.
TESTIMONIALS
"By far the best aerial instruction I’ve ever experienced. Beautiful community and outstanding instruction by Sara and all of the instructors." -Steph Salem
"Aerial Silks is such a beautiful and exciting art form. It’s great strength and fitness training, and skill development. I’m having the best time getting strong, improving flexibility, and challenging my body and my mind. Sara is an excellent instructor. She makes learning the art very safe and super fun. We are so fortunate to have someone of her caliber teaching aerial silks in Bishop."
Gigi de Jong
Sara is such a dedicated teacher who makes an effort to make every class fun and for everyone to feel comfortable trying new moves or skills. If you are a local, this is a great place to feel more connected to the community.
-Kim Bohan
Sara and all the teachers are fantastic – so supportive, communicative, knowledgeable and patient. The space is bright and inviting and my fellow classmates are wonderful people (and now some of my closest friends). I feel strong and empowered at Wakeful Ascent, and carry that energy into the rest of my day-to-day.
-Kelly Muller
Wakeful Ascent has been such an amazing addition to my life! I’m consistently reminded how lucky we are to have the SILK Studio here in the Eastern Sierra and such a talented teacher in Sara. (I drive 45min from Mammoth to the studio in Bishop multiple times a week because the aerial community Sara has created is such a positive part of my life.) Sara has poured her soul into the studio space and all of her instruction, and her creative spirit makes every class (online and in person) a joy! I’ve grown so much as an aerialist attending classes multiple times a week and using Sara’s online instruction for floor conditioning and training on my rig at home.
-Meghan Miranda
SILKStudio is such a supportive and fun community in a beautiful space. Even on bad days when my mind is low or my body is feeling stiff I am able to leave class feeling so positive and satisfied. If you are considering taking a class but have hesitations for any reason, give it a try– you will likely be surprised by the diversity of abilities and skills in the space, and will find your fit!
-Allison Weber
"Wakeful Ascent Aerial Arts has brought so much joy to my life and to the Eastern Sierra. Sara offers an aerial program that prioritizes safe instruction, cultivates community, and inspires growth through artistry. Wakeful Ascent is for everyone - the beginner aerialist with no prior experience, the intermediate aerialist who is seeking to learn more, or the refined aerialist who is seeking high-level instruction, collaboration and inspiration. I feel a sense of renewal, as Sara has reawakened my passion for aerial silks and has begun to help me realize my own potential with this beautiful art form. I am eager to be a part of the growth of aerial arts in the Eastern Sierra, and continue to absorb everything that Sara has to offer."
Caitlin Wellwood
A wonderful community full of supportive and inspiring women in a beautiful studio led by an incredible teacher. Wakeful Ascent has brought me so much joy for years. I highly recommend to anyone!
-Devon Delattre
One of the MOST amazing studios to attend aerial and yoga classes at. Wakeful Ascent Aerial provides a safe, welcoming, beautiful community environment to learn new moves, practice routines, and to explore body work and aerial dance. I am so grateful to Sara for providing this nurturing and sacred space. Thank you!!
-M Bates
My daughter took a silk class last summer. She loved her teacher Ms. Sara. She was super helpful and felt challenged. We will definitely be back for some classes this summer.
-Kimberly Ohara
"Learning aerial silks has been one of the most wonderful things to come into my life in years. It’s the whole package: exercise (without feeling like a chore), total mind/body engagement, always challenging and fun, and a great community to boot. Not long after starting silks I dreamt that I leapt over a van in a single bound. I really feel stronger and better all around thanks to this practice, Sara’s excellent instruction, and the developing Eastern Sierra aerial arts community!"
Kendra Atleework
Sara, our aerial arts instructor, is a true artist of transformation. With inspiring leadership skills, her commitment to collective growth is like an invisible thread that connects all practitioners.
-Caroline Vignardi
Sara has created such a wonderful environment and community to practice aerial arts. The studio has been a safe haven for me since moving to Bishop and has been a great place to do something fun and rewarding as well as making great friends. Everyone is kind and welcoming and I feel like I have built so much strength and confidence since joining this community.
-Jenn Rilley
I am so grateful to have Wakeful Ascent/SILK studio here in Bishop! Before I tried a class I was so worried I wouldn’t be strong enough or flexible enough but it ended up not mattering. The classes allow for anyone to progress no matter their starting point, as long as you show up willing to try (and laugh a lot). I’ve now been going over a year and can’t imagine life without this safe and welcoming place with an amazing community of badass women! It has become such an important part of my mental health…. and I can do a bridge and a pull-up for the first time in my life!
-Hannah Pirner
Through Wakeful Ascent, Sara has cultivated a super fun and welcoming community of all levels of aerial artists. Whether you are local or remote, beginner or pro, Wakeful Ascent offers you a variety of resources to learn, practice, and get strong. Highly recommended!
-Hannah Gern