Bumps, Bruises, and Burns Are Part of the Aerial Arts Journey

The Truth Very Few See on Highlight Reel Instagram Posts

While recreational students may recognize skin abrasions, bruises, and aches as injuries, professional performers often minimize or dismiss them as simply part of the job. Research shows that pain is discursively constructed as a feature of membership in the aerial community and normalized in developing the aerialist identity.

In other words: circus hurts. Always has, always will.

Even if you aren't prone to bruising, wrapping your body in fabric and adding your bodyweight to it is likely to cause a couple of bruises. Silk burns happen. Your hands will hurt. Your muscles will ache. That spot on your hip where the lyra digs in? It's going to leave a mark.

We do everything possible to minimize these discomforts—proper technique, adequate warm-ups, progressive training, quality equipment. But we cannot eliminate them entirely. And honestly? For many of us, we wouldn't want to.

Badges of Honor or Deal Breakers?

Here's where people diverge sharply:

Some see these marks as badges of honor. They photograph their bruises, compare silk burns with fellow aerialists, and wear their battle scars with pride. These are often your sensory seekers—people who crave intense physical input, who have spent their whole lives being told to "stop spinning," "get down from there," or "sit still."

Others find this reality unacceptable. And that's completely valid. If the idea of regular bruising, fabric burns, or muscle soreness makes you uncomfortable, aerial arts may not be your ideal activity. That doesn't make you weak or wrong—it makes you someone who knows their boundaries and preferences.

The Sensory Seeker's Paradise

Children with under-responsive vestibular systems often need more input than average and engage in activities like spinning, crashing, or swinging to meet their sensory needs. If this sounds familiar—if you've always been the person who:

• Loved spinning until you were dizzy
• Craved being squeezed tightly in hugs
• Climbed everything in sight
• Never got motion sick on rides
• Found conventional sports too "tame"

Then aerial arts might be exactly what you've been searching for. Vestibular sensory seeking behaviors include spinning, crashing, and swinging—and aerial arts delivers all of this in spades. Getting wrapped tightly in fabric, spinning upside down, rolling through sequences, experiencing pressure and release—these are all par for the course in our sport.

Why We Offer Intro Classes and Adult Drop-Ins

This is precisely why we structure our programs the way we do. Our intro classes aren't just about learning basic skills—they're about discovering whether aerial arts is your thing.

For Adults: Our drop-in classes let you experience aerial without long-term commitment. Try it. See how your body responds. Discover whether the discomfort is energizing or discouraging. Some people take one class and think, "This is exactly what I've been missing." Others think, "Interesting experience, but not for me." Both responses are perfectly valid.

For Kids and Teens: We watch for signs in our intro classes. The students who keep coming back to a sequence despite (or because of) the challenges? They're finding their tribe. The ones who struggle with the physical discomfort? We support them in exploring whether this is truly their path or if another activity might suit them better.

The Honest Conversation We Need to Have

Injuries can develop from trauma like twisting an ankle, straining a muscle during a pull-up, or injuring the low back due to being oriented in a position you are not used to holding upside-down, let alone right side up. We train smart. We progress carefully. We prioritize safety above all else.

But we also acknowledge that aerial arts demand a particular relationship with physical discomfort. This isn't about glorifying pain or encouraging anyone to "push through" concerning symptoms. It's about recognizing that the nature of our art form involves:

• Pressure points where hard metal apparatuses are supporting your body weight
• Muscle fatigue from repetitive working of a set series of skills within an hour class
• Minor abrasions from friction
• Soreness from using muscles in new ways
• The occasional bruise from wraps, holds or drops

When to be concerned: Sharp pain, joint instability, shooting pains, or anything that doesn't resolve with rest, rolling, and/or stretching—these are signals to stop and consult a professional. We never encourage working through actual injury.

Normal sensations: Muscle burn during holds, fabric pressure, post-class soreness, minor bruising at contact points—these are expected parts of aerial training.

Know Yourself, Honor Your Needs

Whether you're a seasoned aerialist with a collection of silk burns or someone considering your first intro class, the most important thing is honest self-assessment. Aerial arts aren't for everyone, and that's not only okay—it's important to acknowledge.

For sensory avoiders who prefer gentler activities with less intense physical contact and pressure, there are countless wonderful movement options available. For sensory seekers who have finally found a sport that matches their need for intense input? Welcome home. We've been waiting for you.

My bruises will heal. My silk burn will fade. And next week, I'll probably acquire new ones. Because I'm a circus artist, and circus is pain—beautiful, exhilarating, absolutely-worth-it pain.

Want to find out if aerial is your kind of pain?

🎪 Try a Kid-Friendly Intro Class: Perfect for testing the waters - Sign Up Here

💪 Drop-In Classes for Adults: From beginners to experienced aerialists, explore at your own pace - Browse Options 

📅 New Mid-Term Beginner Classes for Kids: Starting soon for those ready to commit to the journey - Learn More

Flying with you (bruises and all),

Ms. Peggy
Eternal Aerial Arts

P.S. Still want to see more? Join us at our November Showcase to watch our teams perform—silk burns, bruises, and all the beautiful strength they represent. Get Tickets