Mermaid

Also known as:

Silks

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Level 1

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Footlocks
Mermaid Aerial Silks Beginner Footlocks Video Tutorial
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Mermaid is a dramatic and beautiful split fabric skill that uses one footlock and an arm wrap to achieve a classic shape. There are a lot of different variations of this skill and lot of unique ways to express it.

This video shows 4 different variations of Mermaid: upright with the free leg on top, upright with the free leg on bottom, horizontal with the free leg on top, and horizontal with the free leg on the bottom.

We teach Mermaid at the end of our beginner level or the beginning of our intermediate level curriculum and it’s an early prep for skills like Iron T, Music Box, and other skills that require either strong shoulders when the arm is wrapped, distributing weight between an arm and leg when the body is horizontal, or both.

Become an Aerial Fit Online member to access the video for Mermaid. This in-depth video will explain how to properly train this skill. It also includes cross references to the most important Building Blocks, Common Mistakes, Related Drills, Ground Drills, Variations, Next Steps and Sequences.

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Building Blocks & Prerequisites

Some of the most important aerial silks skills, related movements, and prerequisites from our aerial video tutorial library that students should be very comfortable doing to succeed at Mermaid.

Teaching Tools

Common Mistakes & Solutions

These are the most common mistakes we see with students when they are learning how to do the aerial silks skill Mermaid and detailed directions on how to fix these problems to make the skill look and feel easy.

Related Aerial Drills

These similar aerial silks skills and aerial drills are helpful to troubleshoot and help with problems. Students don't need to have mastered the Mermaid to work on these related skills and drills. These drills may help your students make important connections and answer the question "What am I doing wrong?".

Ground Drills for Aerialists

These are some of our favorite ground drills for aerialists for Mermaid. They can be used as part of the ground warm up or as part of the aerial class teaching progression.

Aerial Silks Variations

These are different variations of Mermaid. Students should be very comfortable with the current skill before working on these different or more advanced variations. They can be used for further exploration, managing students with different levels and adding variety to aerial silks choreography.

Planning Ahead

Next Steps

These are the next steps we teach to our aerial silks students after they’re comfortable with Mermaid. The next steps can be started right away and they lead toward specific future goals which are often the most advanced aerial silks skills.

Future Goals

These are some of the more advanced silks skills that build on the strength and control taught in Mermaid. They are not the next immediate steps, but rather long term planning goals.

Sequences

Aerial Silks Sequences, Transitions and Combinations

These are aerial silks sequences, transitions, and combinations that include the aerial skill Mermaid. They are fun, creative, and challenging sequences from our aerial video tutorial library.

More Resources

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Footlocks
Level 1 |
Footlocks

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Grips
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Knot