Best Free And Paid Aerial Dance Resources For Beginners

Looking for aerial dance resources for beginners? We are always on the lookout for good resources to expand our aerial knowledge. In this post, you will find several books and websites dedicated to aerial arts, not limited to any apparatus.

Keep in mind: The resources are for reference only and should not used to replace an instructor.


Free Resources

FEDEC Basic Circus Arts Instruction Manual

Best for: AERIAL SILKS

European Federation of Professional Circus Schools’ Basic Circus Arts Instruction Manual is available in four languages: English, French, German, and Portuguese. It covers a whole range of circus arts. For aerial content, check out chapter 2.

Price: FREE (LINK)

Basic Circus Arts Instruction Manual Chapter 2 cover


The Circus Dictionary

The Circus Dictionary website

Best for: AERIAL SILKS

The Circus Dictionary is perhaps the largest directory of circus moves. The most useful part for aerialists is the section on silks. Each move has a descriptive name and a step-by-step video that shows you how to do them.

Price: FREE (LINK)


Aerial Elements

Best for: AERIAL SILKS

Aerial Elements is a growing glossary of aerial silk moves. You can learn each move by watching a short video. You will find complete routines and conditioning exercises. And you can sort the glossary based on your skill level.

Price: FREE (LINK)

Aerial Elements website

Aerial Practice

Eunice doing an Inverted Moon

Best for: AERIAL DANCE

Aerial Practice is a community of beginner aerialists. And we have an important mission: naming aerial dance moves.

On our YouTube channel, you will find step-by-step guides and dance routines. You will learn more about aerial dance with the hammock and the hoop, and get a lot of useful tips.

Price: FREE


Paid Resources

For all you interested in books about aerial dance, we are working hard on creating one for #aerialfam! You can easily take part in NAME THAT POSE, join #aerialfam to name aerial dance moves Every SUNDAY on Instagram.


Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts by Emily Scherb

Best for: ALL AERIAL ARTS

Emily Scherb is a physical therapist. Her main goal is to teach aerialists how to train and perform. The book is useful for all levels of aerial artists.

Dr. Scherb puts the most emphasis on injury prevention and recovery. That makes the Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts a must-have for all aerial artists.

Price: $14.23 on Amazon

Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts cover

Aerial Dance Manuals by Rebekah Leach

Beginning Aerial Fabric Instruction Manual cover

Best for: AERIAL HOOP & FABRICS

Rebekah Leach has been creating aerial dance manuals for over a decade. She offers manuals for beginner, intermediate, and even advanced aerialists.

You can check out her work in the manual previews. Aerial Hoop Manual preview or Aerial Fabric Manual preview.

Price: $26-68 on her website


Jill Franklin’s Guides to Aerial Silk

Best for: AERIAL SILKS

Jill Franklin founded her company Aerial Physique in 2012. She wrote two Guides to Aerial Silk. One for beginners and one for intermediate learners.

Both Guides are very easy to follow. You will find clear instructions and step-by-step photos for each pose. You will also find strengthening exercises that you can do at home.

Price: $16-24 on Amazon

Beginners Guide to Aerial Silk cover

Spin City’s Hoop Bible

Hoop Bible cover

Best for: AERIAL HOOP

Spin City brought together pole dancing performers. So the Hoop Bible approaches aerial from a pole dancing perspective.

As the name indicates, it is a great resource for all things aerial hoop. You will find over 1500 photos of hoop poses, conditioning exercises, and many useful tips.

Price: £20 for electronic copy


If there are any aerial dance resources for beginners (and more advanced dancers) that we missed, send us a message. We love to learn!

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