Level 1 SLING teacher training program
With Alicia Calderwood of Pura Vida Studio & Specialists
We are excited about your interest in taking your sling 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)
9/6-9/8 (FIRST WEEKEND)
Friday hours: 4-9pm (Lecture & Training)
Sat hours: 1:30-8:30pm (Lecture & Training)
Sun hours: 11-4pm (Lecture & Training)
10/4-10/6 (FINAL WEEKEND)
Friday hours: 4-9pm (Lecture & Training)
Sat hours: 1:30-8:30pm (Lecture & Training)
Sun hours: 11-4pm (Lecture & Training, & Tests)
sling teacher training program Course content: 40 hours
• 36 hours of beginner & level 1 sling skills curriculum & training
•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 sling 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.
Pre-requisites to enroll in program:
•Must have at least 2 years of silks experience and be a minimum of 15 years of age.
•Must be able to hold weight in hands for 8-10 seconds
•Must be able to consistently invert on own.
•Must be consistent in beginner and level 1 sling skills. You can find skills here.
•Must know 1-2 entries of cross-back & can invert
Video submission of skills:
(submit video of skills listed below)
-Diaper to gazelle drop down
-Hipkey to birdcage/princess seat/ secretary from hipkey
-Seatbelt to corset wrap
-Standing thigh hitch
Crossback aka X-back
•Must submit application and video submission of your silks experience
Cost of teacher training:
•Single payment $1000 (without CPR/First Aid training)
•Additional 5 hours of CPR/First Aid Training & Certificate through Elite Arts PT or through another reputable source BEFORE completion of TT.
The training is typically $110 for PVS trainees but she is charging $90! You can reach out to DR. Carlie Huberman to sign up.
Email here: eliteartspt@gmail.com
Training materials Included in program:
PVS teacher training manual/workbook
Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts by Emily Scherb, DPT
APPLICATION & PAYMENT DEADLINE DUE BY AUGUST 2ND
Level 1 sLING Teacher Training Program Instructors & Specialists:
Alicia Calderwood of Pura Vida Studio
Lead Master Trainer
DPT Carlie Huberman of Elite Arts PT:
Aerial Anatomy, injury prevention, & CPR/First Aid Specialist
Todd Spiering of Circus Gear:
Rigging Specialist
STILL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR TEACHER TRAINING?
CHECK OUT OUR FAQ PAGE
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
“The training I received at Pura Vida Studio was applicable and versatile. During sessions, Alicia nurtured a comfortable and engaging environment. Student and teacher safety was maintained while retaining a sense of creativity and exploration. Movement, skill advancement, lesson planning, positive studio environment and supportive peer interactions are topics that are explored fully. Working with Pura Vida Studio and Alicia Calderwood is a fantastic experience.”
Shannon Durham: Sling & Aerial Yoga Training 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
“I can't say enough good things about Alicia Calderwood's teacher training at Pura Vida Studio. The curriculum was well-structured, thorough, engaging and just the right amount of challenging. The environment she created was incredibly supportive; so much so that I made friends in the training that I am still in contact with! While I went into it hoping to learn the skills to become an aerial teacher someday, the experience ended up being a total game changer for me as an aerialist personally. The focus on safety and correct muscle engagement helped me understand how to execute my own skills better and how to best cue my future students. I was hired as a teacher shortly after sling teacher training and I use the information and skills I gained in Alicia's training in every class I teach. I am forever grateful for this experience.”
Ashley Gottlieb: Sling & Silks Teacher Training Program 2023