Think You Can’t Do Aerial Sling/Hammock? Start Here (Come As You Are)

Feb 5

Have you ever wanted to try something new—or go after a dream—but thought, First I need to be this…? If you’ve been curious about aerial sling/hammock, and you’ve been waiting to feel ‘ready,’ you’re not alone.

I almost didn’t create Aerial Foundations for the same reason. Not because I didn’t know what to teach, or because I doubted the transformational power of aerial sling/hammock. I stopped because I didn’t feel camera-ready.

At the time, my body was carrying the kind of stress you can’t hide with a smile. High cortisol while healing PTSD left me feeling anxious, puffy, and unfamiliar in my own skin. I kept thinking, I’ll get “back” to who I was, and then I’ll create this program.

And then there was the internet: coordinated outfits, sunlit studios, silks that match the décor, bodies that look like fitness models, and videos so polished you can almost hear the ring light humming.

Meanwhile, I wanted to build this program at home—because that’s how many beginners actually start.

Everything changed the moment I realized perfection was never the point

I thought about the first thing so many people say when they walk into my classes. Not after they try a pose. Not after they feel the fabric. The first thing.

They look around with held breath, and then it spills out:

“I’m too old to be here.”
“I’m not in shape.”
“I don’t have any strength.”
“I have no flexibility.”
“I’ve never worked out.”
“I’m terrified of heights.”
“I’m too big.”

And every time, I say:

You’re not here because you already have strength. You’re here because you’re finding it.

You’re not here because you already have flexibility. You’re here because you’re exploring it.

You’re not here because you already feel confident. You’re here because you’re taking a journey to uncover how amazing you really are.

And here’s the part that still makes me smile: my fifty and sixty year olds are sometimes my strongest aerialists—there’s no age limit to starting anything, especially aerial hammock. There is no age limit on playful flying.

You were built for this kind of joy

When you were a kid, you moved with joy.

You didn’t earn it.

You didn’t “deserve” it.

You didn’t wait until your core was strong enough or your hamstrings were flexible enough.

You climbed things. You swung. You ran through the house. You hung upside down because it made you laugh.

Movement wasn’t a punishment or a requirement for health—it was happiness.

It wasn’t something you had to be “good at” to be allowed to do.

It was play.

Somewhere along the way, we turned movement into work. We turned bodies into projects. We started believing we had to fix ourselves before we could enjoy ourselves. But bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and they’re all meant for joy, playfulness, and movement.

So why do we have such a hard time being okay with where we are—especially when we’re trying to share something beautiful?

That question is part of what built Aerial Foundations.

Because I realized: if I waited until I looked perfect, I would be teaching the exact opposite of what I believe.

Starting aerial sling/hammock without the “perfect body”

Let’s say this clearly, in a way you can come back to when doubt gets loud.

You do not need:

A flat stomach
A dancer’s flexibility
A gymnast’s strength
A “strong upper body” (yet)—it will come
A certain number on the scale
A younger version of yourself

You need a safe approach.

You need a plan that meets you where you are.

And you need a way to connect to your body that feels supportive—not punishing.

That’s why I teach with an emphasis on activation and alignment.

Not because I want it to feel technical.

But because activation is how you stop trying to “muscle through” and start moving with intelligence.

Alignment is how you feel safer.

And safety is what gives you the confidence to keep going. It’s what connects your mind and body in a world that tries to pull you into your head and tell you you’re all wrong—so it can sell you something to fix you.

Want a safe path? Start Here. Full access today + 30-day money-back guarantee.

Activation is the missing bridge between “I can’t” and “I’m doing it”

Activation is the moment your body wakes up and realizes, Oh… I have support here—in myself.

It’s the difference between yanking yourself into a shape and organizing yourself into it.

It’s how you build strength without beating yourself up.

And for a lot of us—especially anyone carrying stress, responsibilities, hormonal shifts, or a lifetime of “be smaller, be quieter, be easier”—activation is a way back home.

Not to a perfect body.

To your body.

Starting without the “perfect setup” (home rigs, open practice, and real life)

If you’re starting aerial sling/hammock at home or at open practice, you might not have:

A studio mirror
A tall set-up
An organized space in your house - you may be in a garage or a basement

Good.

Because real life is where your practice will actually live. My videos show my rig. My poles. My home reality, and I’m glad, because I want you to see what it looks like to begin without hiding, to learn without waiting, and to practice without needing it to be aesthetic. Your setup doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be safe.

What “safe” means (in plain language)

Safety-first doesn’t mean fear-first.

It means you respect your body and your equipment.

It means you choose progress you can repeat.

It means you build confidence the way it’s actually built: one solid, supported rep at a time.

A realistic 2x/week beginner plan (for strength, flexibility, and confidence)

If you’re a beginner, you don’t need to do aerial every day.

In fact, for many bodies, less frequency with more intention is what creates the fastest progress.

Here’s a simple, realistic plan you can follow at home or during open practice.

First week plan overview

Day 1: Foundations + activation (30–45 minutes)

Gentle warm-up
Activation-focused drills
A small set of foundational sling/hammock skills
Cool down + breath

Day 2: Flow + confidence (30–45 minutes)

Warm-up
Alignment cues that make shapes feel accessible
A short, repeatable sequence (so you don’t have to rewind constantly)—that you do with me
Stretch + nervous system downshift

That’s it.

Two days a week.

Not because you’re not serious.

But because you’re building a relationship with your body that can last.

What to do on the “in-between” days

On the days you’re not in the sling, your practice can still be alive.

Try one of these:

A 10-minute walk to shake stress out of your system
A short mobility session
A few minutes of breathwork
A gentle stretch that feels like kindness

This is still training.

Because confidence isn’t just physical.

It’s nervous-system deep.

Confidence is built in tiny moments (not big transformations)

The internet loves before-and-after stories.

But the truth is, confidence is usually built in quieter ways.

It’s built when:

You show up even though you feel awkward
You try again even though you didn’t “get it” the first time
You learn how to activate instead of forcing
You stop apologizing for your body and your existence
You realize you can be scared and still be brave

And one day, without fanfare, you notice:

You’re not saying “I can’t” as often.

You’re saying, “I’m learning.”

That’s the shift.

That’s the work.

That’s the joy.

The truth about “too old,” “too big,” “not strong enough,” and “not flexible enough”

If you’ve ever said any of these things, I want you to hear my answer the way I say it in class—steady, warm, and certain:

You’re not too old.

You’re not too big.

You’re not behind.

You’re not broken—so you don’t need to be fixed.

You are in the exact right place to begin.

And you don’t have to become a different person to do aerial.

You get to become more of yourself.

A short safety disclaimer (please read)

Aerial sling/hammock is a physical activity and carries inherent risk. Always practice with properly rated equipment, safe rigging, and adequate clearance and matting. If you’re new, consider working with a qualified instructor and progress gradually. Listen to your body, avoid training through pain, and consult a healthcare professional if you have injuries, medical conditions, or concerns.

Ready to start (even if it’s not perfect)?

If you’ve been waiting until you feel more “in shape”…

Or until you have the perfect setup…

Or until you look like the people you see online…

Let this be your permission slip.

You can start now.

You can start in your real body.

You can start in your real life.

And you can build strength, flexibility, and confidence in a way that feels safe, supportive, and honestly—fun.

Your next step

Go to my Start Here page to begin your journey with Aerial Foundations:

You’ll get Full access today + 30-day money-back guarantee. Email me if it’s not for you—I’ll refund you—so you can try it, feel it, and decide with your body (not your fear).

What you’ll get:

9+ hours of beginner-friendly videos (and growing monthly)
Follow-along format (less rewinding)
Activation + alignment cues before skills
Safe progressions for home/open practice
Personal Video Review so you never get stuck and you’re never alone learning to fly.

If you’re ready, I’ll meet you there. I can’t wait to play together and help you fly!

Marci Nault https://www.aerialfoundations.com