AVIARY CLASS POLICIES
Please do not attend class if you are experiencing fever, severe sore throat, lingering fatigue, and/or stomach-related symptoms.
Students should wear a mask if...
The student lives with a person experiencing the symptoms above.
The student is experiencing mild symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, etc.
An instructor or other student asks for masks to be worn in class.
The county the student resides in is recommending masks be worn.
Wash your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds before entering the studio. The locker rooms have sinks (and showers).
Use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is provided by the studio and must be used before touching any apparatus or props, as well as between turns if sharing an apparatus.
No strong fragrances. Natural or otherwise. Warmed-up bodies get stronger but also SMELL stronger, and aerial fabric absorbs odors. Please use deodorant and have clean, fresh feet for class.
Only water bottles, cell phones, notebooks, and any props necessary for your training may be brought into the studio. You may store all other personal items in your car or the locker room at your own risk. A limited number of locks are provided by the studio, but availability is not guaranteed. The Aviary is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items.
Please keep your water bottles, cell phones, notebooks, etc., in your apparatus/assigned space. We recommend a small bag or box for this purpose.
The studio does not provide rosin, chalk, and other grip aids. If needed, please bring your own personal container.
A limited number of yoga mats, blocks, straps, etc, are provided by the studio and must be cleaned by the student after use. Students are encouraged to bring their own props; please see the class description to see what is needed. We recommend Five Below as a resource for affordable fitness props.
No street shoes in the studio; please place them on the mat just outside the door.
Please enter the studio no earlier than 5 minutes before your class time, and please depart within 5 minutes at the end of class. Please adjourn to the parking lot or the hallway to socialize.
Attire
Please wear comfortable, close-fitting clothing (including undergarments) that allows freedom of movement and covers the backs of the knees, underarms, and waist when hands are extended above the head.
Pole students, please wear short shorts (the shorter, the better!) and bring layers to keep your body warm.
Loose clothing is NOT RECOMMENDED.
Long hair tied back.
Absolutely no jewelry (yes, this includes wedding and engagement rings), rivets, zippers, or anything else that could catch on or damage the apparatus. This is for student and studio safety; catching jewelry and clothing on an apparatus can cause serious injuries.
Please securely store any valuables before entering the studio. The Aviary is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items.
No hand lotion; it will interfere with your grip.
Bring a water bottle; you will need it!
No diet talk. We are a body-neutral gym and support those who are struggling with or in recovery from eating disorders. We are here to build you up (strength, stamina, flexibility, confidence!), not make less of you.
All Aviary classes begin with a vigorous warm-up for safety and to prevent injuries. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late or do not participate in this warm-up may not be allowed to participate in class but are encouraged to stay, observe class, and take notes.
The warm-up is mandatory, but all other class activities are optional. If a student does not wish to attempt a particular pose or sequence, that is totally ok! We believe in a 100% consensual circus. The student need only inform the instructor, who may be able to offer an alternative.
Bring a notebook, and take notes! You will be glad you did when your instructor clears you for Play Flight (open gym).
Class levels are structured so that students must master certain skills before moving up to the next level. It may require many classes at the same level before you are physically and mentally ready to level up. Students must master the prerequisites (listed in the class descriptions) AND receive their instructor’s permission before they can register for the next level.
Students with previous experience, please review the prereqs in the class description and then contact us if you meet them.
Support your fellow students; pay attention to them while they take their turn in the air and respect their practice by keeping your focus on class.
Please use language that strengthens yourself and others. The material you are learning is challenging and may push your limits, both physically and mentally. We ask that you listen to your body, celebrate its accomplishments, respect its limits, and refrain from negative self-talk.
Ask for help. Your instructors, while amazing in other ways, are not able to read your mind. If you are struggling in class, please VERBALLY ask for help. We are here to support you!
Photos and videos. The Aviary does not allow students or observers to record videos or take pictures during class unless the instructor expressly grants permission. The taking of videos/pictures during class is entirely up to the instructor’s discretion.
If you are recording video or taking pictures during class or open gym time, DO NOT film your fellow students without their consent. Please be aware of your surroundings and who is the background of your shot.
Aviary staff may record videos and take photos during class. We will not email these recordings or photos to individual students; they will be posted to our social media for you to copy/download. It is our policy to never tag students in these photos, in case you want to keep your circus secret, but we strongly encourage you to tag yourself and show your friends and family all the amazing stuff you’re doing!
All Aviary students must be able to listen to and follow the directions of the instructor and/or staff. Aviary instructors have full discretion to dismiss from class any student whose behavior is disruptive or whom they deem unsafe to participate for any reason. If the problem persists, a meeting with the student, the instructor, and the studio owner will be scheduled to discuss this policy. Students who are dismissed from class for behavior issues will not be pro-rated, refunded, or credited, nor can their payment be transferred to another person.