FAQs – Teacher Certification

Qualified candidates are:

1. A current aerial instructor with at least 1 continuous teaching experience (proof of experience e.g. W-2, Paystub); or
2. At least two (2) years of continuous enrollment as an aerial student prior to your IATTP application; or
3. A current certificate holder from any of the following: Personal Training; Pilates, Gyrotonics, Yoga (copy of certificate is required); or
4. A professional aerialist, acrobat or other equivalent disciplines, with at least 2 years experience (proof of experience is required); or
5. One who, within 6 months, has acquired at least 20 teaching hours or 40 hours as an assistant in any of the following disciplines: Aerial Arts, Acrobatics, Gymnastics, Personal Training, and other equivalent disciplines immediately prior to the IATTP training;
6. Alternatively: An evaluation/ eligibility test to be conducted by RKP to evaluate Strength – Endurance – Flexibility – Coordination skills (fee applies); and
7. CPR certification or its equivalent of the applicant’s country (to be accomplished prior to release of IAATP certificate)

The certification courses are subdivided into two: Fitness Programs & Aerial Performing Arts

A. Fitness Certification Courses:

These courses are designed to teach students whose goal is to indulge in an aerobic fitness work-out. The students are mostly in the beginners stage or have had very little or with zero fitness training. The following courses offered are:

1. Hammock Fitness – the most basic certification program, this low-height Hammock (loop on the hip level) is a great entry level for potential instructors as it requires less strength based skills. Its vocabulary contains a large number of floor exercises as well as tilting movements that develop flexibility, reflex sharpness, balance and somatic perceptions and strength.
2. Aerial Hoop Fitness: Basic hangs, chin ups and straddles in various shapes and form, make up for this program. Designed for students who already have fitness or sports background, the training focuses on clients who want to maintain and/or improve their current condition.

B. Aerial Performance Arts

The courses are designed for students who want to train as professional performing artists. The skill level associated with these courses is very high, and physical ability is demanding.

1. Aerial Dance Fitness – The most comprehensive and popular certification course, ADF is designed to meet the needs of entry-level to seasoned athlete whether for fitness or creative performance. It combines ground movements and three aerial apparatuses – the tissu/ silks, hoop/ lyra and hammock.
2. Aerial Hammock Level 1 – High hammock (chest level) Basic spins and individual tricks and combinations
3. Aerial Hammock Level 2 – High hammock (head level) Basic spins and individual tricks and combinations geared for professional performances.
4. Aerial Hoop Dance – Basic spins, swings, climbs, hangs and individual tricks and combinations for students who want to take their training into the performance level.
5. Aerial Silks/Tissu Level 1 – Basic fitness skills on tissu including conditioning, strength and core work out with fundamentals and transitional moves, shapes and neutral zones for combination routines
6. Aerial Silks/Tissu Level 2 – Advance tricks e.g. swings, climbs, drops, spins, dive rolls and styling combinations and transitions requiring moves on vertical space of no less than 18 feet

• All programs will have essential rigging sessions, safety protocols, injury prevention, spotting sessions, open aerial practice and 1 hour private session
• Aerial exercises, Moves, Basic to High End Tricks, Transitional & Neutral Zones, Combinations
• Except for the Fitness Programs, all will have composition, choreography and creativity sessions
• There will be ground works including contortion based flexibility and stretching, graceful entrance, exits & transitions, dance choreography and acrobatics. These shall be scheduled during apprentice sessions.
• There will be culminating presentations: Practical Examination in the form of teaching and performance (depend on the program) and Written Examination
• There will be a business consultancy forum session (available at our local stations – Costa Mesa & Los Angeles)
• Other amenities that inherently arise during the training week.
• An IATTP Certificate of Completion
• Discounted aerial apparatus, gears, fabric and hardware and certified rigging services

We have the Fast Track (7 – 10 days) and the Regular Track (4-6 months).

• Hammock Fitness or Hoop Fitness: $1800.00
• Aerial Dance Fitness (Combined), Aerial Hoop Dance or Aerial Silk Level 1: $2,200.
• Level 2: Aerial Hoop Dance & Aerial Silk: $130000 (excluding examinations)
• Examinations: Written and Practical: $900. for Fitness; and $1300. for Performing Arts
• Level 2 Examinations: $900.00/ discipline
• Pre-Qualification Evaluation/ Eligibility Test: $300.00
• Crash Course: $1400. not including the examinations
• Certificate Renewal Fee: $300.00
• Workbook: $110.00

For more information and description, please contact us.  Due to the rising popularity and the fast development of this performance genre, our curriculum and the logistical placement and design continues to change with the times, thus affecting the content maintenance of our digital pages.

Once your questions have been answered and you are ready to enroll in the scheduled IATTP session, please go to the Online Store and Pay the Fee.

Aside from all examinations (written tests, practical teaching and performance routines), the student needs to complete 30 validated hours of residency teaching sessions and a CPR/AED certification or its equivalent (if you are from outside the United States).

• Hammock and Hoop Fitness Programs: 20 – 30 intensive hours each
• Aerial Dance Fitness – Level 1: 30 – 40 hours
• Aerial Dance Fitness – Level 2: Aerials: 10-20 hours.
  Level 2 requires completion of Level 1 certification plus written and two practical examinations (teaching and performance for composition/ choreography)

*The hours are approximates only. The actual hours to complete the course varies depending on the student/s.

An aerial teacher or an aerialist with at least 2 years of continued teaching experience prior to certification can be certified provided that he or she passes the written and practical examinations. Since the examination covers mostly what is learned during the IATTP session, another alternative is to take a crash course (4 private sessions, group classes, open practice sessions and educational material) or a pre-qualification/ eligibility assessment in order to prepare for the required examinations to learn the fundamental, mandatory and structured syllabus.

IATTP provides a workbook with structured outline and vocabulary, tips and pertinent guidelines that is covered within the course. Due to language disparity, we have concluded that it is to the best interest of the IATTP student to take responsibility in drawing and writing down in their own words, details of what they are learning during program sessions.

There are three to four types of exam, namely – Written, Practical Teaching, Practical Performance and Practical Rigging. Enrollment to any of these programs DOES NOT GUARANTEE passing the examinations. We will do our best to train you so you can pass and be ready to teach. The passing mark is 75%. If you do not pass the written exam, you can re-take this within 24-48 hours depending on the availability of the examiner. As for the practical exams, you have up to six (6) months to re-take the practical examination/s, so you can master your teaching and choreography executions. We will give you a 75% discount ($125.) for one or all your examinations. If you are not able to make it personally, we will allow a video submission as a substitute for your practical examination.

The certification is valid for 2 years. After which, as an IATTP certified instructor, you would need to renew your status by undergo continuing education in many forms, as well as pay your annual membership fee. Current membership fee is $150. And your renewal payment can be made six (6) months prior to the expiration of your certification.

Aerial Arts America is the governing body that endorses educational standards in the aerial arts discipline. Its function is to uphold the high standards by recommending, approving, endorsing and promoting educational tools including continuing educational programs, workshops, events and alike. Our website will list several programs which Aerial Arts America will endorse plus other programs it sees fit that contribute to a certified instructor’s overall teaching performance. Continuing education shall be calculated by number of points earned. Each program, class, workshop or event shall have an equivalent point. You can also recommend some classes that you feel are helpful for a specific discipline and we will bring this to the board for approval. Graduates of this program need to complete its initial CE courses within 2 years of their certification. AAA certified teachers need 300 points for the 1st two years and 200 points every year thereafter.

The student applicant will need to review, understand and execute an agreement relating to any media files produced or generated during training, as well as subject matters relating to copyright, trademarks and intellectual property materials. Contents of this agreement will be provided for your review before finalizing your enrollment.

Upon completion of IATTP and having become an AAA certificate holder, applicant is required to include in any of its name branding or identification the following:

(Name) Jan Smith
IATTP Certified Teacher
Accredited by Aerial Arts America