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Colleen | Aerial Performer & Instructor

@thecolleensands

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🙋🏼‍♀️Sharing my passions 1 post at a time:
🧘🏼Wellness
👯‍♀️Aerial Dance
🎥UGC creations
✨DM for info on aerial coaching or gig inquiries

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How to rig a Silkling:

I use a Rescue 8. There are most likely other ways to do this - always inquire at your local studio what preferred method of rigging they use & check with a professional rigger to insure your safety.

I measure out the length I want for my sling and then pull the two top ‘middle sections’ through the lower portion of the rescue 8. I loop them in between the sling part - this helps create space without a spacer. Then I pull each one over the head of my rescue 8. Similar to how you rig your aerial silks.

Pull each side nice and tight - make sure you can see the ears of the rescue 8 and no fabric is caught over them.

Hang your Silkling at your desired height. Always use safety mats when practicing and start creating your Silkling flow! Enjoy!🤩

Tag me @thecolleensands so I can see your beautiful creations!

Disclaimer: I am not a professional rigger. This video is for informational purposes only. Aerial rigging and aerial arts carry inherent risk of serious injury or death. You assume all risk and responsibility for any use of this information, and you release me from any liability arising from it.

#professionalaerialist #aerialistsofig #aerialsilkling #inventedapparatus by @thecolleensands

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6 days ago

And for the other half of the weekend — aerial silks. Two long panels of fabric, endless ways to wrap, drop, and fly. Starting Saturday evening, @thecolleensands leads a full arc through Monday morning, building toward a routine you’ll actually get to film and keep.

#AerialSilks #AerialArt #CircusArts #LakeGaston taken in Lake Gaston, North Carolina by @thecolleensands

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24 days ago

More flying fun…🐦‍⬛

I’ve been loving the challenge that corde lisse presents to my body and brain. I definitely get frustrated and feel defeated sometimes, but then I remember the beginning of my aerial journey - everything felt HARD until it didn’t.

Aerial can give you some great life lessons when you need them most.😉🔥

Action shot by @mkm_image ✨
Location: @anapausisretreatcenter 🍃
Rope & skirt borrowed from @kim_mei_terry7 😘

#cordelisse #cordelisserope #professionalaerialist #aerialropeskills by @thecolleensands

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a month ago

Forest fairy fun…🍃

A few fabulous photos from @mkm_image.

My face is trying to hide the fact that’s it’s 1000 degrees😅.

Thx @anapausisretreatcenter for letting us use the space💕🔥

#aerialphotoshoot #aerialdance #portraitphotography #professionalaerialist by @thecolleensands

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a month ago

Sometimes the lake asks for a tail. Not every session has to be about drilling skills — some of it is just play, costume, and a little bit of magic over the water. That’s part of this too.

#AerialArt #CircusMagic #LyraLife #CreativeAerial #LakeGaston taken in Lake Gaston, North Carolina by @thecolleensands

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2 months ago

Anyone else struggle with mind/body connection on solid ground, but feel totally confident when suspended above it?

I’ve always had a mental block when it comes to allowing my arms to hold me upside down…except when I’m in the air. 🤷‍♀️

Not gonna stop me from continuing to try!😉🤞💪

#circuseverydamnday #professionalaerialist #aerialinstructor #handstandfails taken in Pura Vida Studio by @thecolleensands

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4 months ago

Heated rivalry on sling…🔥

Season 2 should take place at an aerial studio…thoughts? 😉

Had such a blast at this workshop @puravidastudionc ! Choreo by @monicariese 🔥

Check it out➡️➡️➡️Next up: Noah Kahan Sling dance Aug. 15th w/ @monicariese & Hilary Duff Sling dance Aug. 21st w/ @hakunamatrotta

#slingdance #aerialhammock #heatedrivalryparty taken in Pura Vida Studio by @thecolleensands

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3 months ago

Ok, so I obviously didn’t do this all in one minute - but it felt like it!😂

Ever wondered what it was like to be an aerial teacher? This is just a small piece of the puzzle.

I was filming my lessons for my amazing fellow coaches who are so willing to step up and sub while I skip town for a few days (@hakunamatrotta @monicariese @thedangerhunter 🙏🙏🙏). I couldn’t be more grateful to be surrounded by this supportive group of teachers @puravidastudionc 🫶. I always rest easy knowing my classes are in good hands.💕

If you’ve been aerial curious, come join us over at Pura Vida Studio in Cary. No matter what apparatus you choose, you’ll have an amazing teacher ready to welcome you with open arms!

See you all soon!😉

#lifeofanaerialist #aerialistsofig #aerialclasses taken in Pura Vida Studio by @thecolleensands

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3 months ago

Am I a lyra girlie now??🤔🤩

Had the pleasure of being a student today in Lyra class w/ @jamesretrospect🔥

Loved every twisty, hard, bruisy part of it…needless to say, I’ll be back!😉

Great new class @puravidastudionc 💕💕💕

#carync #aerialistsofig #circuseverydamnday #aerialstudiosnc #aerialcoach taken in Pura Vida Studio by @thecolleensands

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4 months ago

Lyra play. ⭕️

Prepping some fun things for this weekend @anapausisretreatcenter. Thx for the inspo @aerialeviee 🤩

Excited to unplug, play, explore, connect with new friends & reconnect with nature.

What would you want at your ideal retreat? Comment below ⬇️⬇️⬇️so we can bring your dreams to life✨

#raleighnc #aerialhooplove #lyradance #aerialdancer taken in Cary, North Carolina by @thecolleensands

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4 months ago

Things I love about this video:

✨The kindness of my fellow classmates who help me walk through new skills. I got up there and literally said to Lauren (where do I go from here?😅)Thx @laurendeisenroth 🙂
✨How you can see my brain actively working through new, unfamiliar pathways.
✨@jamesretrospect ‘s fun dragon tail shape and sequencing 🤩

I honestly had a moment during this class where I felt pure joy and gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had to follow my passions and dreams as well as the communities it has opened I hope I never take for granted what my body has allowed me to do and the fun things I call ‘my job’. I’m one lucky lady.🥰

#lyrahoop #lyraposes #aerialclass #lyradance taken in Pura Vida Studio by @thecolleensands

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4 months ago

The dock. The hoop. The lake at golden hour.

Some images stay with you. 🥹

At Anapausis, one of our most requested add-ons is a photography session on the water — because the setting here is simply unlike anywhere else.

Imagine your lyra shot with that horizon. Imagine your silks against that sky.

Tell us what add-ons matter most to you — survey link in bio. 🎪

#LyraLife #AerialHoop #LakesideAerial #AerialArts #GoldenHourAerial taken in Lake Gaston, North Carolina by @thecolleensands

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5 months ago