Level 1 SILKS teacher training program
With Alicia Calderwood of Pura Vida Studio & Specialists
We are excited about your interest in taking your silks 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.
TRAINING DATES & SCHEDULE: (training is both weekends)
5/30-6/1/25 (FIRST WEEKEND)
Friday hours: 4-9pm (Lecture & Training)
Sat hours: 11-7pm (Lecture & Training)
Sun hours: 11-6pm (Lecture & Training)
6/27-6/29/25 (FINAL WEEKEND)
Friday hours: 4-9pm (Lecture & Training)
Sat hours: 1:30-8:30pm (Lecture & Training)
Sun hours: 11-4pm (Lecture & Training, & Tests)
sILKS teacher training program Course content: 40 hours
• 36 hours of beginner & level 1 silks 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 silks classes between 2 weekends of training
•Must obtain CPR/First Aid Certification to receive certificate. Additional 5 hours of First Aid/CPR certificate is through American Heart Association (Can obtain at PVS with 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 silks skills. You can find skills here.
•Must be consistent in: basic climb, russian climb, hipkey, double & single footlocks, crossback, dance wraps, eggbeaters, scorpion, Rebecca splits/rocking horse series, & secretary series.
•Must know 1-2 entries of cross-back & can invert
•Must submit application and video submission of your silks experience
Cost of teacher training:
•Single payment $1000 (without CPR/First Aid training)
Or payment plans available. Must email us: info@puravidastudionc.com for payment plan.
Training materials Included in program:
PVS teacher training manual/workbook
Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts by Emily Scherb, DPT
APPLICATION & PAYMENT DEADLINE DUE BY MAY 4TH
Level 1 silks Teacher Training Program Instructors & Specialists:
Alicia Calderwood of Pura Vida Studio
Lead 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
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
“The teacher training program from Alicia was exactly the silks boot camp I hoped it'd be. I deepened my understanding of aerial fundamentals, gained a new appreciation for the complexities of lesson planning, and grew stronger both physically and in my cueing for each position. I graduated as a more confident aerialist and instructor, with a full new set of supportive friends at the studio. I highly recommend this program for anyone looking to become a teacher or stronger student in their aerial journey.”
Monica Riese: Silks Training 2024