The problem with starting Aerial Yoga
Aerial yoga looks fun, freeing, and effortless on social media.
But what most studios don’t talk about are the very real problems people face when they’re just getting started.
Not because aerial yoga is bad, but because starting anything new has a learning curve.
As someone who has been teaching aerial yoga since 2021, practicing since 2019, and has guided thousands of beginners through their first classes, I want to be honest about what actually trips people up and how to get past it so you see real results.
Problem #1: The First-Class Shock Is Real
Most people think their first aerial yoga class feels hard because of the workout.
That’s not the real reason.
The first class feels awkward because:
You’re in an unfamiliar environment
You’re figuring out where to check in
Where to put your things
Where the bathroom is
Where to stand or sit in class
On top of that, it’s usually the first time both feet leave the ground.
That moment is exciting, special, and unique, but it can also feel overwhelming.
Here’s the truth:
Once you’ve been to the studio before, your body and brain relax. You can visualize walking in, putting your things away, and going straight to class. The awkwardness disappears quickly.
Problem #2: People Quit Before They Get Over the Hump
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is judging aerial yoga after one class.
You can’t.
In my experience, class #5 is the breakthrough.
By your fifth class:
You’re familiar with the studio
You recognize the flows
You’ve tried different teachers
Being in the air feels natural
You finally “get it”
This is why we encourage students to take at least five classes during their trial. That’s when people fall in love, feel confident, and are much more likely to continue, advance to Level 2, and even get those cool photos and videos everyone wants.
Problem #3: Inconsistency Kills Progress
Aerial yoga is not something you want to do randomly.
To see results, you need to go:
2–3 times per week.
Why?
You keep using the muscles needed for aerial yoga
You build strength instead of restarting every week
You go upside down consistently, which is incredible for your back
Coming once a week or once every few weeks keeps people stuck in beginner mode.
Consistency is everything.
Problem #4: Studio Location Matters More Than Motivation
People don’t fail because they’re lazy.
They fail because the studio is too hard to get to.
Your studio needs to be:
Close to home
Close to work
Or in a place you genuinely enjoy being
It has to be an easy yes.
At Open Aerial Yoga, we’re near the beach, which makes the experience enjoyable and worth the drive for many students. But proximity still matters. The easier it is to show up, the more likely you are to stay consistent.
Problem #5: Inconsistent Schedules Make People Quit
This is a big one no one talks about.
If a studio’s schedule is all over the place, beginners struggle.
You need a studio with a consistent, balanced, and mirrored schedule.
For example, we offer 9 a.m. classes seven days a week.
If you build a routine around 9 a.m., you can come any day, weekday or weekend, without constantly checking the schedule.
This psychology matters.
When you know when class is, you’re more likely to go.
Problem #6: The First Class Might Be Harder Than Expected
Sometimes the first class is harder than people expect.
If that happens, the solution isn’t quitting.
The only solution is taking more classes.
Aerial yoga, like Reformer Pilates, has a learning curve. Once you’re past it, it becomes addictive.
Problem #7: People Don’t Give Themselves a Fair Chance
I hated my first hot yoga class.
Not because hot yoga is bad — but because:
I wasn’t wearing the right clothes
I didn’t have the right equipment
I didn’t know what to expect
Once I figured out:
what to wear
how much water I needed
what actually made class comfortable
I loved it. And now I’ve done hundreds of classes.
That experience is exactly why we coach beginners the way we do, and why our intro offer is so affordable. We don’t want people dropping in once and quitting. We want you to give yourself a real chance to fall in love with aerial yoga.
Problem #8: People Overthink What to Wear
This one is simple — and people still get it wrong.
All you need is:
Leggings
A t-shirt that covers your armpits
No rings or jewelry
That’s it.
It’s an outfit almost everyone already owns and it makes a huge difference in comfort and confidence.
The Truth No One Says Out Loud
Starting aerial yoga comes with:
A learning curve
Some awkward moments
A little discomfort before confidence
But getting over that curve can:
Change your body
Boost your confidence
Prove to yourself that you can do hard things
Give you beautiful photos and videos you’re proud to share
You don’t change your life by quitting early.
You change it by showing up consistently, especially when something is new.
Final Advice Before You Start
If you’re about to start aerial yoga, know this:
👉 Commit to at least five classes
👉 Go 2–3 times per week
👉 Choose a studio with a consistent schedule
👉 Don’t quit before you get over the hump
That’s where the magic happens.
If you live in Huntington Beach, Orange County, try Open Aerial Yoga!