CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Erotique Pole Dance is a choreography based class that incorporates a combination of different dance techniques. The foundation of class will focus on learning and practicing Liquid Motion® floorwork techniques. This class will also weave in beginning level pole dance and Twerk Technicians® twerk skills. Liquid Motion® is a style of dance that primarily utilizes the floor and wall as its classroom, and trains students on techniques that strive for seamless and sensual movement exploration. Erotique Pole Dance class
is for students who want to build strength, improve flexibility, feel more confident, add sensuality to their movement style, and include some booty clapping to their dance routine. If you’re looking to spruce up your dance skills or just want to explore different dance styles, this class will show you step by step how to move seductively on the floor, spin around the pole, and pop that booty. We’ll work your body from head to toe in a fun, creative, and playful atmosphere. No previous dance experience is required. All levels and bodies are welcome. Socks and knee pads are highly recommended along with loose

Intro to Pole is perfect for brand new to Pole students, students with a little bit of previous Pole experience, and Pole students wanting to learn or review entry level skills, tricks, conditioning, and technique. This class combines our Intro to Pole curriculum with our Pole 1 and Pole 2 curriculum. We recommend that students take 8-10 Intro Pole classes before moving on to higher levels.

This is a 60 minute class focusing on the sporty side of Pole. Students will start with a thorough full body instructor led floor based warm up. The warm up will then continue onto the Poles with different conditioning exercises to help you build strength and stamina. Afterwards, students will learn and practice various entry level spins, poses, and skill and trick combinations using the Pole.

Students must complete the curriculum for each individual level and “level up” with their Pole instructor when ready before moving into the next level. Unsure of what level you’re in or feeling ready to “level up”? Ask your instructor what the level up requirements are for your level. Our instructors can watch you during or after class for those “level up” skills.

Intro to Pole Dance is a superb way to learn and experience beginning level pole skills and tricks through a dance focused movement lens. This class will weave together instructor created dance choreography, while including our beginning level pole curriculum (Intro-Level 1-Level 2), so students can continue on their pole journey. Dress in clothing that you feel fabulous in. Socks or Heels, and Knee pads are recommended, and the studio has some for students to use.

Intro to Slow Flow is a superb way to learn and experience beginning level pole skills and tricks through slow, sensuous movement. This class will weave together slinky, flowy choreography on static and spinning pole, while including our beginning level pole curriculum (Intro-Level 1-Level 2), so students can continue on their pole journey. Dress in clothing that is comfortable to slink around in, and wear or bring socks for easy sliding on the floor. Knee pads are recommended, and the studio has some for students to use.

Pole 2/3 is a 60 minute beginning-intermediate level class focusing on the sporty side of Pole. Students will start with a thorough full body instructor led floor based warm up. The warm up will then continue onto the Poles with different conditioning exercises to help you build strength and stamina. Afterwards, students will learn and practice more challenging spins, poses, tricks, and transitions than in previous classes. Students will be introduced to climbing, sitting, and inverting in this level.

Students must complete the curriculum for each individual level and “level up” with their Pole instructor when ready before moving into the next level. Unsure of what level you’re in or feeling ready to “level up”? Ask your instructor what the level up requirements are for your level. Our instructors can watch you during or after class for those “level up” skills.

Pole 3+ is a 60 minute intermediate – advanced mixed level class focusing on the sporty side of Pole. Students will start with a thorough full body instructor led floor based warm up. The warm up will then continue onto the Poles with different conditioning exercises to help you build strength and stamina. This class is a high flying composition of challenging new thigh and hip holds, impressive spins, and new strength building techniques. Students will learn new ways of climbing and inverting on the pole as well as truly acrobatic aerial static holds. This class will challenge you with exciting new feats of athleticism!

Students must complete the curriculum for each individual level and “level up” with their Pole instructor when ready before moving into the next level. Unsure of what level you’re in or feeling ready to “level up”? Ask your instructor what the level up requirements are for your level. Our instructors can watch you during or after class for those “level up” skills.

So youve learned some cool pole tricks but how do you incorporate them into a flow or sequence? This is a Pole Level 3+ class that will focus on learning a sequence or choreography that highlights skills and tricks (some new ones too!) Heels are welcome but not required. Unsure of what level youre in or feeling ready to level up? Ask your instructor what the level up requirements are for your level. Our instructors can watch you during or after class for those level up skills.

Pole 4+ is a 60 minute intermediate – advanced mixed level class focusing on the sporty side of Pole. Students will start with a thorough full body instructor led floor based warm up. The warm up will then continue onto the Poles with different conditioning exercises to help you build strength and stamina. This class is a high flying composition of challenging new thigh and hip holds, impressive spins, and new strength building techniques. Students will learn new ways of climbing and inverting on the pole as well as truly acrobatic aerial static holds. This class will challenge you with exciting new feats of athleticism!

Students must complete the curriculum for each individual level and “level up” with their Pole instructor when ready before moving into the next level. Unsure of what level you’re in or feeling ready to “level up”? Ask your instructor what the level up requirements are for your level. Our instructors can watch you during or after class for those “level up” skills.

Suspended Stretch & Strength is an elevated Flexibility-Contortion focused class that uses a soft, low hanging hammock to support and suspend the body. Gravity helps to lengthen, strengthen, contract, extend muscles and connective tissues to improve posture, and add gentle traction effects. The hammocks are an excellent way to safely explore inversions (going upside down) while being held and supported as much or as little as desired. This class is a great one to start with if you are new to the studio, curious about the aerial arts, nervous about trying the aerial arts, recovering from an injury, regaining a regular movement practice, for folks have a committed Yoga or Flexibility practice already, or wanting to try something new, and so much more! This class is really great for every body. Come feel how awesome the hammocks are!

This 60 minute Intro to Silks (aka Aerial Fabric, “those curtain things”) class is perfect for the brand new Silks student, those with some previous Silks experience, or those desiring to review Silks foundational skills and tricks. Students will learn, practice, and refine the skills for building a solid and safe foundation on Silks. This class begins with a thorough total body warm up led by the instructor and continues onto the apparatus for beginning level  conditioning exercises. Intro to Silks includes our Intro to Silks, Silks level 1, and Silks level 2 curriculums.

This 60 minute Intro to Lyra (aka Aerial Hoop, “that circle thing”) class is perfect for the brand new Lyra student, those with some previous Lyra experience, or those desiring to review Lyra foundational skills and tricks. Students will learn, practice, and refine the skills for building a solid and safe foundation on Lyra. This class begins with a thorough total body warm up led by the instructor and continues onto the apparatus for beginning level  conditioning exercises. Intro to Lyra includes our Intro to Lyra, Lyra level 1, and Lyra level 2 curriculums.

This 60 minute Intro to Trapeze class is perfect for the brand new Trapeze student, those with some previous Trapeze experience, or those desiring to review Trapeze foundational skills and tricks. Students will learn, practice, and refine the skills for building a solid and safe foundation on Trapeze. This class begins with a thorough total body warm up led by the instructor and continues onto the apparatus for beginning level  conditioning exercises. Intro to Trapeze includes our Intro to Trapeze, Trapeze level 1, and Trapeze level 2 curriculums.

This 60 minute Beginning Silks (aka Aerial Fabric “those curtain things”) class is perfect for the brand new Silks student, ages 5-11, those with some previous Silks experience or those desiring to review Silks foundational skills and tricks. Students will learn practice and refine the skills for building a solid and safe foundation on Silks. This class begins with a thorough total body warm up led by the instructor and continues onto the apparatus for beginning level conditioning exercises. Beginning Silks includes our Intro to Silks Silks level 1 and Silks level 2 curriculum’s.

Aerial Flexibility classes use a soft, low hanging hammock to support and suspend the body. Gravity helps to lengthen, strengthen, contract, extend muscles and connective tissues to improve posture, and add gentle traction effects. The hammocks are an excellent way to safely explore inversions (going upside down) while being held and supported as much or as little as desired. This class is a great one to start with if you are new to the studio, curious about the aerial arts, nervous about trying the aerial arts, recovering from an injury, regaining a regular movement practice, wanting to try something new, and so much more! This class is really great for every body. Come feel how awesome the hammocks are!

Intro to Bungee is the best way to explore how much fun bouncing around can be in a safe, low impact way. The bungee system allows for exercise that is accessible to all, and is a great addition or alternative to other forms of cardiovascular and strength based activities. It can also be a useful tool for injury recovery. In this class, students will be introduced to foundational bungee movements and terminology, learn proper harness fitting and how to weight check for proper bungee resistance, and building trust with the bungee system. Students need to wear stretchy, comfortable leggings or knee length biker type shorts and a shirt that can be tucked in or that covers the waist area completely. We highly recommend that students come prepared to explore this class with bare feet, grippy socks, and/or exercise sneakers to find what works best for each person as we want to avoid smooshed toes. Each class in this series is 75 minutes.

This 60 minute aerial sling (aka aerial hammock) class is perfect for anyone from a brand-new student to those with prior experience on sling! This class begins with a thorough warm up led by the instructor and continues onto the apparatus for conditioning and skills. Students will then learn, practice, and/or refine their hammock repertoire! Class will end with a brief cool down. This class is accessible to all bodies and abilities.

Aerial sling (aka hammock, swing, tissue loop) is a studio favorite, combining the grace of aerial fabrics with the poise of aerial yoga. In this 60 minute choreography class, we learn how to integrate dynamic entries including spinning, with strong and beautiful transitions and shapes. This class is for those who have some prior experience with sling and who wish to increase endurance and strength in the air. This choreographed class provides you the chance to infuse your personal style into your practice.

Do you know a bunch of skills, poses, and shapes on Lyra but are not yet sure how to put them together? Feeling a creative block and want to shake it up? This class is for you! Class will begin with a group warmup and some creative movement on the floor. Then, we go in the air! We’ll build sequences, work with existing choreography, experiment together, and learn how to move without worrying about perfectly pointed toes and the search for perfection. Caroline will offer prompts and choreography that offer students of all levels space to explore and find a creative home on Lyra. Prerequisite to attend this class is a completion of at least 10 Lyra classes.

This 75 minute Intermediate-Advanced level Lyra class will build aerial vocabulary on Single Point Lyra (aka Aerial Hoop), Double Point Lyra, and Tabless Lyra. Students will work on inversions, rope work, drops and beats, and will learn how to piece skills together for effortless movement sequencing. Students must be Lyra level 3 or higher to attend this class, or have instructor approval before the start of class.

This is a Lyra class for intermediate and advanced students who love technical puzzles, creative movement, and exploring new pathways. We will build on foundational material from beginner classes, work on fundamental dynamic skills, and learn how to play and create. Each class will begin with a group warm up and conditioning on the Lyra. We will then move on to skill building, sequence creation, and exploring technically challenging but creatively exciting new skills and planes of the hoop. Some classes will be serious, some playful, often both. Some classes will be skill-focused, some will be collaborative, and some will be very exploratory. Caroline will offer a wealth of prompts and resources to help you develop your own style of movement on Lyra, challenge how you think about this apparatus, and discover new ways to connect with your hoop. Prerequisites to attend this class are being able to do a double knee hang, the ability to hold yourself up with bent and straight arms, being able to do multiple entries for mounting the hoop, and a willingness to push yourself creatively.

This 60 minute intermediate level Trapeze class is perfect for students in our Level 3 or 4 curriculum or for folks who meet the level ups for attending this class. Students will build aerial vocabulary on Single Point Dance Trapeze and Double Point Static Trapeze. Intermediate students will work on inversions, intricate wraps in the ropes, drops and beats, and will learn how to piece skills together for effortless movement sequencing.

Trapeze 3+ is a class for intermediate-advanced students. Class will build aerial vocabulary on Single Point Dance Trapeze and Double Point Static Trapeze. Intermediate and Advanced level students will work on inversions, intricate wraps in the ropes, drops and beats, and will learn how to piece skills together for effortless movement sequencing. Not sure which level you are in? Ask your instructor or email us at info@empyreanarts.org.

In Trapeze Sequencing 3+ class students will learn new entries, transitions, how to find flow, and exiting with grace. We will focus on choreographed Trapeze aerial dance with the intention to embody easeful, energetic expression. Students will have the opportunity to refine the choreography by adding their own unique sparkles, shapes, and style. Students must be in Trapeze Level 3 or higher to attend this class or have instructor approval.

This  Intermediate-Advanced Silks class is for students in Silks Level 3 or higher, or with an Empyrean Arts instructor approval prior to the start of class. Students will focus on stamina and technique in the air, and especially on strong inversions, as well as be introduced to new climbs, single rotation drops, and interesting new ways to link skills together, including unfamiliar entrances to familiar skills. For advanced students, skills requiring increased strength, including single arm strength, multiple rotations, theoretical understanding of wraps and setups, and dynamic skills and releases will be taught. Students may develop a preference for the the single strand and sturdiness of rope or the split strand and fluid possibilities of fabric. Endurance and supervised invention and creation will be goals for the advanced student.

Unsure of what level you are in? Ask your Empyrean Arts instructor at the studio or shoot us an email at empyreanartsnc@gmail.com.

In Advanced Lyra Sequencing 4+ class students will learn new entries, transitions, how to find flow, and exiting with grace. We will focus on choreographed Lyra aerial dance with the intention to embody easeful, energetic expression. Students will have the opportunity to refine the choreography by adding their own unique sparkles, shapes, and style. Students must be in Lyra Level 4 or higher to attend this class or have instructor approval.

This 75 minute Silks 4+ class is for students in Silks Level 4 or higher, or with an Empyrean Arts instructor approval prior to the start of class. Students will focus on stamina and technique in the air, and especially on strong inversions, as well as be introduced to new climbs, single rotation drops, and interesting new ways to link skills together, including unfamiliar entrances to familiar skills.

Burlesque Basics class focuses on sexy movement combos and the techniques and tricks of the tease trade. No dance experience needed and all skill levels bodies and abilities welcome! Students must be 18 years or older to attend this class.

In this beginner friendly choreography based class, we will breakdown and explore the sensual side of floor and chair movement. It is a great introduction to moving in heels and can be combined with pole and other aerial apparatuses! Think body waves, heel clacks and flexy floor shapes. Students are encouraged to wear whatever makes them feel empowered plus knee pads and socks/heels. We have available knee pads if you do not have any. All bodies welcome.

This class is to help you get familiar with inverting before getting upside down! We will build technique through exercises that mobilize the shoulders and hips plus strengthen the core and back to create a strong foundation to go upside down safely. Come explore both passive and active inversions, including variations of backbends, handstands and forearm stands. All bodies and levels welcome. This is a great class for conditioning your body to enhance overall strength, mobility and flexibility.

Handstands & Arm Balancing is an all levels class where students will be introduced to, and safely and progressively practice poses like elbow stands, straddle sit, L sit, V sit, crow poses, headstands, handstands, flying lizard, planches, and more. This class will have beginning, intermediate, and advanced movement choices, and no experience is required to attend. Come play and explore yogic, circus, and gymnastics arm balancing, inversions, and handstands.

At Empyrean Arts we strongly believe in sustainable athletic training because we really love what we do and want to continue doing so for a long long time. We encourage both our staff and our students to train both strength and suppleness for a balanced body. Our flexibility classes are open to all levels of students desiring to increase their mobility from the absolute beginner to the performing contortionist. Having mobility and flexibility is having the quality of moving and bending freely and easily without breaking. In our flexibility classes students will learn safe and effective exercises to increase range of motion without compromising strength or function. Students will learn and participate in Active Passive Assisted and PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching and strengthening techniques. Together we will work on bringing balance to the body by lengthening our muscles and connective tissues correcting muscle imbalances and building strength for flexibility that can be used.

At Empyrean Arts we strongly believe in sustainable athletic training because we really love what we do and want to continue doing so for a long long time. We encourage both our staff and our students to train both strength and suppleness for a balanced body. Our flexibility classes are open to all levels of students desiring to increase their mobility from the absolute beginner to the performing contortionist. Having mobility and flexibility is having the quality of moving and bending freely and easily without breaking. In our flexibility classes students will learn safe and effective exercises to increase range of motion without compromising strength or function. Students will learn and participate in Active Passive Assisted and PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching and strengthening techniques. Together we will work on bringing balance to the body by lengthening our muscles and connective tissues correcting muscle imbalances and building strength for flexibility that can be used.

Slither Sessions is about letting go of the mind’s ideas about movement, and moving into the body for an unrestricted movement exploration experience. This class focuses on one’s relationship with the floor and sometimes other objects and aerial apparatuses. We will attempt to reconnect the body and mind and spirit through movement exercises, breath work, guided relaxation, prompts, writing, and trigger point release work.  Students will learn tricks, skills, and transitions on the floor and on different aerial apparatuses, and will explore those movements to find their own dance. Slither Sessions is a low to the floor movement class and is accessible to most bodies and abilities who are interested in trying new things and pushing out of their comfort zone in a safe space. The focus of class will change each time while staying within the confines of movement exploration. No dance or aerial experience is required to attend.

Students should wear clothing that is comfortable to move in and that does not restrict any movement possibilities. Loose, comfortable pants with socks and kneepads and dressing in layers for the upper body is ideal attire for this class.

Open studio is a supervised time in which any student can utilize the studio to practice, play on the equipment, and meet fellow students and Empyrean staff. Open studio is an excellent resource for improving strength and technique, and perfecting tricks and skills that you have learned from an instructor. There is no instruction or skill sharing during open studio. Sign up and come hang out with your fellow students while practicing your art at your own speed. Feel free to film or take photographs during open studio time, but please be respectful of other people in the studio while doing so.

The studio currently has the following equipment available for use during open studio session:

• single point dance trapeze
• double point static trapeze
• double point lyra
• single point lyra
• tab-less lyra
• sling
• static fabric (low stretch silks)
• dynamic fabric (high stretch silks)
• rope (corde lisse)
• one 16 foot high brass spin/static pole
• three 16 foot high stainless steel spin/static poles
• crash mats
• stretching mats
• foam blocks
• therabands
• straps
• foam rollers and myofascial balls
• stall bars
• ankle and wrist weights
• training/reference books

The session inside the sauna is up to 45 minutes and you have up to 1 hour to use the back half of our 107D studio room. Feel free to use the back half of the 107D studio room for stretching, relaxing, using an Aerial Flexibility Sling (please ask a staff member to rig this for you before your session starts), or using any of the other equipment available to you during your session. There is a privacy curtain in front of the sauna door, and there is a dressing room directly to the side of the sauna for your use. We have a folding room divider that can be utilized for additional privacy if desired. 

TOWELS 

Please bring your own towels to sit and sweat on while using the sauna, and also to use for drying off afterwards. If you forget to bring your own towels and decide to sauna while at Empyrean Arts, we have some rectangle sized purple salon style towels available for folks to utilize that are perfect for sitting on while inside the sauna. Please place all used towels/cloths into the appropriate bin on the shelf in the 107D equipment area when finished using them. 

CLEAN UP 

After your sauna session, please use one of our small cleaning cloths and the spray bottle labeled “sauna cleaner” to clean up the sauna, and any sweat that may have dripped, and then place the dirty cloth into the appropriate bin in the 107D equipment area.