ABOUT

An individually run business that combines the perfect amounts of strength, flexibility, exercise, safety, and of course, fun. With the help of All Star Gymnastics, Hang in There offers a variety of options to learning aerial fabric.

Rachel is originally from Hummelstown, PA, and was a competitive gymnast for 10 years. She was introduced to aerial arts in 2008 by her first instructor, Jane Bryan. Since her years with ArtznMotion, she moved to Columbia, SC to attend the University of South Carolina. She was accepted into the local circus troupe, Soda City Cirque (previously known as Alternacirque). She has performed across the state, including gigs in Georgia and North Carolina. Her main skills are handstand canes and aerial silks but also has training in juggling, unicycle, power-riser stilts, acro-balance, acro-contortion, slings, lyra, and static trapeze.

 

At the age of 22, with over 8 years of aerial training, she completed the introduction to teaching aerials and the foundation level of aerial fabric from the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) and Nimble Arts. She has studied aerials under many renowned instructors including those at the Circus Building, Caroline Calouche and co., The Space, and Paper Doll Militia. She believes that everyone is capable of achieving their dreams no matter what age. She has a strong passion for circus arts and hopes to share her experiences with everyone.

Aerial silk is a type of performance in which one or more artists perform aerial acrobatics while hanging from a special fabric. Performers climb the suspended fabric without the use of safety lines, and rely only on their training and skill to ensure safety. They use the fabric to wrap, suspend, fall, swing, and spiral their bodies into and out of various positions. Aerial silks may be used to fly through the air, striking poses and figures while flying. Some performers use dried or spray rosin on their hands and feet to increase the friction and grip on the fabric. -definition from Wikipedia

One of the biggest concens in aerial acrobatics is safety. Safety is of utmost importance at Hang in There. Rachel has been through multiple professional rigging workshops and classes to help ensure that all materials are updated and safe. All spansets, figure 8's, carabiners, swivels, and fabric are tested and purchased from legitimate manufacturers. Additional information on this hardware will gladly be given out upon request.

 

Although the silks reach heights of about 20 feet, students must reach certain requirments before they are allowed to climb to such heights. No matter how high students are climbing, crash mats are always located directly below the rigging point, and excessie swinging is prohibited. Students are only allowed on equipment if the instructor is present and they have been given permission to approach the silks.