Helium Aerial Dance

Heather’s classes are so much fun, extremely safe, and above all truly challenging (Artistically and physically). She’s a true pro in performance and teaching, and learning from her is an honor!
She will teach you the fundamentals, the artistry, the discipline, safety and the technique which will turn you into a true aerialist!
I started with Heather 4 years ago and still recommend her to everyone I know who asks how they can get involved in aerial! Her classes are a true gem!

I bought a LivingSocial deal ($ 40 for 2 classes) and I had my first silks experience with Heather. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and the activity. Heather was very nice, encouraging and demonstrated the skills and tricks clearly.
The Manhattan class is held inside the Hype Gym. The only issue is when someone is working on a machine close by, class participants have to be aware and perhaps move aside. Besides that, I don’t mind the environment.
I was in a class with a total of 6 or 7 participants. I can see Heather works really hard to time-​manage so that she can work one-​on-​one with everyone on various tricks. I think it would be better if the class size was smaller, so the lesson could go at a more comfortable, calm and «graceful» pace— at a few points, the lesson felt a bit rushed.
I would love to continue, but at the regular rates, i don’t think my bank account can sustain these lessons at a consistent basis.

3.5 stars
It’s inside an actual gym so people are running and lifting weights around you while you are taking a class. It can get a little noisy.
There are only two silks so the instructor will show you a move and then everyone takes turn on the silk trying the move with the instructor supervising.
I like it because it’s close to where I work and live. That and the instructor was super nice, knowledgeable, and aerial dance is so beautiful! I want to get a silk hammock for my home now!
Remember to bring a lock for the lockers for your stuff or you can just leave your purse on a bench off to the side.

Found Helium through a LivingSocial deal that was doing $ 20 for one class. I’ve heard of the studio before though. I’m glad I got to come because Heather is a great teacher– she’s very patient, attentive to all students (the class size is kept small about 4 – 5 people), and knowledgable. She is pretty good about repeating steps as much as possible. I know I definitely need it since I am such a slow poke when it comes to learning new steps!
I’ve loved aerial for the longest time. I used to do it regularly (pole mostly) but it’s been a while since I got injured and loss all my strength. Silks tends me the one of the hardest apparatuses because there are no resting points and for some reason I can never grip! I always found pole to be easier… with silks, you have to be super careful about how you wrap, etc al. I believe Heather teaches lyra (hoop) which I always have tried (ooww does it hurt) — I wish she did hammock, which I find to be easier on the body :). Heather definitely modifies class to people’s levels. We start with a push up warm up/​stretching, and some strengthening (lat moves) on the silks to get ready. She then teaches:
–climbs (regular and side depending on level)
–tricks, such as twists and T catches (this can get advanced, actually– more advanced than my experience at Aerial Arts in midtown)
–footholds
I do think she could provide better tips about how to manuever into moves– if pole-​ing taught me anything for two years, it’s that there’s a technique behind getting into tricks– not all just strength. They ARE things you can do to get your hips up and over your head– I have always had a hard time inverting, though I know I’m fit and strong.
My biggest complaint are the facilities– Hype Gym right in the middle of other people’s workouts aren’t the best atmosphere for aerial. Also, I sort of wish she had better rosin… I remember not have so much slippage at Aerial Arts and I’m convinced it’s due to the rosin. eh, maybe my grip has just gotten way weaker.

am a first timer at this exercise and I have to say it was really challenging because it relies a lot on upper body strength, but I really loved every minute. It’s a one hour class, but time flew like no tomorrow.
Heather is an amazing teacher — took the time to explain each move then guided us through our first set. The second set she would stay back a little and let us try it on our own.
If you’re a little weary at trying something new, I’d say go for it. I am considering buying a few more classes.

There are many impressive aerialists in New York, but sadly not all of them are great teachers. Heather Hammond is an excellent aerialist AND an awesome instructor! She is knowledgeable, encouraging, and fun to work with.
Classes are taught out of the Hype Gym in Manhattan, or a studio space in Brooklyn. At the Manhattan location, the silks are hanging in the middle of a gym, so there will be other people there working out around you, but it isn’t too intrusive as far as anyone gawking or being in the way. At the Brooklyn space, the ceilings are higher, it’s private, and classes are a bit cheaper.
The Absolute Beginner Class:
I’m sure there are a lot of people who consider taking an aerial class, then think, «I want to try that but I have no upper body strength and am probably not in good enough condition.» The reality is, you get fit enough to do aerial by going to aerial classes. Seriously. Don’t let your physical condition deter you from taking a class! Heather makes sure everyone has a great initial experience. You’ll climb, you’ll go upside down, you’ll learn to tie a foot lock., etc. The next day you will have sore arms, and a whole new appreciation for every aerial act you’ll ever see.
And if you can’t wait to do it again…
Open Level Classes:
Open Level is for everyone. Class consists of whatever combination of first-​timers, pre-​professionals, and intermediate-​level folks happen to sign up. Six is the maximum number of participants for a class. Heather is adept at handling a mixed range of abilities, making sure everyone is learning something appropriate for their skill level and getting plenty of time in the air.
If you’re new to silks and wondering what to wear:
It says as much on the website, but fitted clothes are best, and should cover behind knees, stomach/​back, and underarms. Ladies especially, wear a shirt that you can tuck in or feel confident you could hang upside down in and not worry about it falling around your face. Make sure your pants aren’t see-​through or climbing up in all the wrong places (just ask yourself if you’d feel comfortable wearing them upside down in a straddle with you bum in the air, in front of a group of people). You’ll be working barefoot, so don’t forget to bag the toenails and check for funky odors. Avoid wearing body lotion on hands/​feet. Long hair should be out of the face, and of course don’t sport jewelry or any sharp clothing elements that could damage the fabric.

Heather’s classes are fun and safe. As a massage therapist i really appreciate that she spends alot of time on proper alignment, warm up and strengthening. Heather is patient and able to include students of all different abilities in each class. Whether you are complete newbie as i was or a seasoned aerialist hether is always able to help ind exactly the right level for you to work at and grow and have a great time! I have watched my body totally change in heather’s class.

Wow. WOW! After my first Heliuum experience I am certainly as close to speechless as I have ever been. After my first class I am so ready to make a commitment to myself to pursue this. Heather is an incredible instructor! Positive, supportive, and incredibly motivating. She would see what I was trying to do, then explain the move in a different way that just clicked for me. I couldn’t believe what I was able to do in my first class!
I cannot wait to come back!

Aerial Dance (Silks) is an amazing way to strengthen your core, develop a performance skill or just have fun. After 4 months I was doing tricks that looked impossible on my first day. The instructor, Heather, is a great coach who focuses on the positive. It is an incredible feeling to be in the air: you are thinking about balance, moving, breathing and positioning, not much else, it is its own world. When the class is over (always too soon) I have totally let go of any stress from the day. It is an experience that is hard to beat.

Heather’s class really changed the way I think of myself and my own capabilities. She knows how to bring out everyone’s strengths and make them feel like they can accomplish anything. She is an amazing teacher because she is always looking for new ways to explain things-​especially if she sees a student is not understanding a particular move. Instead of taking it personally (as unfortunately, other less confident or experienced teachers will), she keeps on coming up with new ways to explain things and break down a move into it’s most basic components. She is always motivating, and I have many times been awed by her ability to so effectively manage a multi-​level class where students are clearly all at different points in their aerial career. In the larger classes, she will take the time to make sure everyone is working on something that suits them, and is appropriately challenged. She makes sure no one feels left-​behind or forgotten, as can often be the case in multi-​level classes. I also appreciate Heather’s commitment to safety and making sure her students do moves in the safest way possible, and in the safest conditions possible. She is not afraid to tell someone to stop or get down, if they are doing something risky. However, she does it without being overbearing or boring, and keeps her classes totally fun!

I got hooked on this class right away. Heather is an amazing aerialist herself and really knows how to break it down for a beginner such as myself. The class size is limited to 6 people (that’s 3 to each silk) so you get a lot of individual attention and enough time on the silk to really wear a girl out (Whew!)
Precision and safety, along with an encouraging learning environment and a supportive community of fellow silk enthusiasts is what you will find in this class.
I personally enjoy that Heather challenges me with something new, or something I haven’t quite perfected yet every week and pays attention to what my strengths and weeknesses are. I never feel I am being left behind in class because she works with the individual, not just the class.
I also sampled her Wednesday Lyra class that was super fun too, just be prepared for the bruises :)

Heather’s classes have literally changed my life… I was completely out of shape and never exercised before I started taking Aerial Acrobatics. I was amazed by how much progress I made in just a few weeks. Heather keeps classes small and does a fantastic job of working with people at all levels. I’m so excited to actually find a form of exercise that’s fun! I actually look forward to classes all week.

This is a great class and I’ve been a fan for some time (7 months to be exact). I first went to this Aerial Silks class just to have tried it after seeing it on a loot by lifebooker. Like the previous reviewer, I hadn’t done any workouts in the past several months, so most moves were definitely challenging. But, the great thing was, that I didn’t even realize how fast the time went by and how much fun I had while sweating my butt out!
The fun I had plus the fact that Heather is a great instructor, fun, easygoing, pushing us to our limits but always keeping it safe for us immediately made me decide to stick with the classes, and I started doing it once every week. Over these months, especially my upper body strength has improved a lot. I see myself sitting up taller, and having a better posture as well.
The classes are 1 hour long and 6 people maximum (usually it’s about 3 – 4 people, I even had a class by myself when the 2^nd person didn’t show up). There are 2 silks, so it would mean that at the max, 3 people would alternate on each silk. Though since it is in a gym, we exercise in between turns, but honestly, after the first 10 minutes or so, we all look forward to resting on the floor a little, and help each other out. Seriously though, I mostly go to the Friday classes along with some other usual gals and we have developed a team spirit by now, calling ourselves Team Aerial :)

I went to my first Aerial Silks class last night with Heather. The class was only 3 people so I had a lot of individual attention which was great and Heather was very sweet and encouraging. I haven’t worked out in months so some of the moves were challenging for me but it was very fun. i think if i had the upper body strength i used to have i would have enjoyed the class more and not gotten so tired at the end. I would definitely go again and it seems like a fun class to do with a friend. Thanks Heather!