PURA VIDA STUDIO

Level 1 BAR APPARTUS teacher training program

With Alicia Calderwood of Pura Vida Studio & Specialists

We are excited about your interest in taking your lyra and trapeze knowledge and training to the next level with Pura Vida! Our teacher training program covers 40 hours of content that will go in depth of how to safely execute being a trained aerial instructor. We will have guest specialists discuss the importance of aerial anatomy, injury prevention, and aerial rigging & safety fundamentals. Even if you don’t walk away teaching, you will feel more awareness and safety in your personal aerial training.

2 TRAINING WEEKEND DATES & SCHEDULE: (training is both weekends)

8/29-8/31 (FIRST WEEKEND)

Friday hours: 4-9pm (Lecture & Training)

Sat hours: 11-7pm (Lecture & Training)

Sun hours: 11-6pm (Lecture & Training)

9/26-9/28(FINAL WEEKEND)

Friday hours: 4-9pm (Lecture & Training)

Sat hours: 1:30-8:30pm (Lecture & Training)

Sun hours: 11-4pm (Lecture & Training, & Tests)

bar APPARATUS teacher training program Course content: 40 hours

• 36 hours of beginner & level 1 skills curriculum & training for lyra and trapeze

•Aerial anatomy with DPT. Carlie Huberman of Elite Arts PT

•Injury prevention in warm ups & functional movement throughout training with DPT Carlie Huberman of Elite Arts PT

•Rigging & safety fundamentals with Todd Spiering of Circus Gear

•Lesson planning, cueing, teaching, drops, teaching safety, and spotting

•Aerial business basics and insurance

•4 hours of supervised intro-level 1 bar classes between 2 weekends of training

•Must obtain CPR/First Aid Certification before last day of teacher training to receive PVS teaching certificate. Additional 5 hours of First Aid/CPR certificate is through American Heart Association (Can obtain through Dr. Carlie Huberman of Elite Arts PT)

•Teaching practicum, anatomy test, skills assessment must be completed successfully to obtain certification.

APPLICATION & PAYMENT DEADLINE DUE AUGUST 3RD

Level 1 bar APPARATUS Teacher Training Program Instructors & Specialists:

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Teacher Trainee Testimonials

“Alicia’s teacher training program was such a wonderful experience and so valuable to my teaching journey. She provides an incredibly supportive teacher training environment, one where I felt I could ask any question without judgment. She encourages creativity and discovering your own teaching style, and instilled so much confidence in me as an instructor.

Her teacher training is incredibly informative and goes beyond the basic mechanics of a movement. She addresses multiple techniques for helping students to each learn movement more effectively and safely. Alicia’s emphasis on safety for both students and teachers is beyond anything I have seen in other teacher trainings. Her training ensured that I felt prepared to not only teach students a movement, but also provide a safe and encouraging experience for them. I can’t recommend her teacher training program enough!”

Lea Geddie: Sling & Silks Training 2019

“Alicia was one of the first Aerial Instructors I had that taught me how to be aware of my body and the muscles we are using to properly train and maximize our practice and help to eliminate future injuries. This is something she instills when training future teachers and something I valued so much when learning from her. Alicia teaches us a lot about using different language to help our students comprehend new moves and advance them in their practice. She produces an encouraging and supportive environment to her students with her extensive background in aerials and yoga. Her new teacher training offers, not only her expertise, but also teaches CPR certification training and rigging safety training, something I have not seen in other aerial teacher trainings before.”

Emily Trotta: Sling & Silks Training 2019

“I have appreciated Alicia’s well thought out structure of what she envisions as safe, fun and challenging classes for aerial and sling.  I feel that she teaches the appropriate balance of encouraging physical growth of students and providing positive feedback regardless of each student’s physical limitations. My sense is that Alicia’s approach to teaching classes is focused on each student as an individual which comes across in her teacher training sessions.

The training sessions I attended were fun as well as informative. Alicia actively involved us in her training process, encouraging input from us, asking us to draw from our own experience,  setting a positive learning environment and allowing us to problem solve in how to best conduct our own classes. 

Alicia’s emphasis on safety and professionalism in her approach to teaching us how to teach has been greatly appreciated and helped me feel better prepared when teaching aerial sling.”

Deborah Strickland: Sling & Aerial Yoga Training 2019 & 2021

There is no doubt in my mind Alicia put anything less then her all into this program. She thought through every aspect with great detail and dedication. There was such a noticeable improvement in my teaching skills and myself as an aerialist from hour 1 of the program to the completed 40 hours. There is room for everyone to walk away learning something new! It truly was a great experience and I would highly recommend it to those looking to either become a teacher, or to further their own knowledge of aerials, anatomy, rigging, business, etc. Highly recommend this training! "

Cara Frantz: Sling & Silks Training 2022

“I highly recommend Alicia’s teacher training. She is knowledgeable, experienced, and breaks down the poses and teaches her program in such a structured and applied way. I feel truly prepared to teach what I learned through my 40 hour training. What makes the training very special is that she brings experts in for anatomy and rigging. This is one of the only programs I have seen bring in experts in important insights in areas which are easily overseen.”

Susanne Aponte: Sling and Aerial Yoga Teacher Training Program 2022

Alicia’s teacher training program is such a good mix of information and physical teaching practice and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to teach or deepen their aerial knowledge. I love the implementation of anatomy and rigging that allows trainees to become more proficient teachers. Coming from an avid aerial student, it feels so much safer to have a teacher that knows how the body works and how the safety side of things works. One other thing that I love about Alicia’s methods is that she not only guides you through how to safely teach and spot a wide variety of skills, but she mentors you through the social side of being an aerial teacher. She teaches you how to run a successful class and create a community in the air which is something all aerial coaches should know how to do. Through Alicia’s training I was able to fulfill my dreams of becoming a teacher and I am able to inspire the next generation of aerialists!

Gemma Weinberger: Silks Teacher Training Program 2023

“When I first discovered Pura Vida Studio in 2022, I knew I had found a truly special place. As I immersed myself in learning lyra and trapeze, it became clear that the incredible community of instructors and students was what made it so unique. Over the next two years of training on bar apparatuses, I continued to grow both as a student and as a part of this vibrant community.

In 2024, Pura Vida Studio held its first bar teacher training program, and I knew I had to participate. Even if I didn’t end up teaching, I wanted to deepen my understanding and refine my practice in aerial arts. The 40-hour program exceeded my expectations, offering a wealth of invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience.

The training covered essential topics, including safe and effective cueing techniques for students both in the air and on the ground. Additionally, the program featured in-depth sessions led by professionals on rigging and anatomy and physiology as they relate to aerial arts. These components provided a comprehensive foundation for teaching and practicing safely and confidently.

Alicia, the studio owner and lead instructor of this program, is a phenomenal and encouraging teacher. Her vast experience in aerials and yoga, combined with her thoughtful approach to instruction, made the program both enriching and inspiring. Her insights and guidance were instrumental in helping me grow as an aerialist.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Pura Vida Studio and to have been part of this transformative training experience. Whether you're aspiring to teach or simply seeking to deepen your practice, this program is an invaluable resource for anyone passionate about aerial arts.”

Julie Ragsdale: Bar Training 2024