Aerial Hoop Mounts Beginner Tips & Tricks | What I wish I knew when I started

Today I wanted to share some tips & tricks I've learned along the way for how to get on the hoop. I'll be discussing and demoing all of the basic Lyra mounts.
Timestamps
0:00 Overview
0:20 Single-knee Mount
1:19 Straddle Mount
2:06 Double-knee Hang to Seated
2:45 Trapeze Mount
3:30 Pullover Mount
-----------------------------
Instagram: / lyra.laurenb
-----------------------------
Obligatory aerial safety reminders:
- Try new moves under the supervision of a professional aerial instructor
- Warm-up before practicing
- Use a crash mat
- Consult a professional rigger/structural engineer before rigging at home
- Listen to your body :)

[@jessw4195]

The “use your legs because they’re stronger” is so important. I wasn’t taught that in class so I use like all arms and it’s very fatiguing. This will make such a big difference for me. Thanks!

[@kera4759]

Wooooow!!! I never was taught about the importance of my legs. That’s amazing. Thank you.

[@alexaann803]

This is amazing advice, thank you so much! I'm still at a point where I'm looping one leg over while still standing on the other, so I really appreciate the ways to train different mounts before being able to do them! 🥰

[@LyraLauren]

Wow, thank you ☺️ I’m glad it was helpful! It’s so great that your studio has low hoop options. Getting in the hoop can be harder than moving in the hoop 😅

[@sonnssning]

The last tip about the toes was so helpful! Thanksss

[@nelitsvetkova2748]

Thank you, these are great tips! I have been working on my mounts for a couple of months and I am slowly getting some of the moves. The info from the video will come very handy I am sure!

[@LyraLauren]

Thanks Neli! Glad to hear that you’re making progress on your mounts!

[@amandalottmann5241]

Thank you for this video! It's comprehensive and I found the tips helpful for beginners

[@LyraLauren]

Thanks Amanda! I’m glad you found it helpful ☺️

[@LuLuTheGuru]

Very helpful!

[@DianaQuake]

Great tips to clean up my mounting. Thanks!

[@LyraLauren]

Thanks, Diana! I’m glad the tips were helpful 🥰

[@kc077]

Glad I found this I'm taking my first class tonight!

[@LyraLauren]

That’s so exciting! Have fun!

[@jujuswbeans]

I wasn't taught to use my legs !!! These are really good tips

[@LAS593]

This was so helpful thank you!

[@LyraLauren]

Glad to hear it ☺️

[@theabruun1028]

Thank you for this informative video. I’m still new to aerial hoop, and I’m working on my straddle mount (I have yet to actually do it, because my arm-muscles are still pretty weak😅), but I’m gonna try the “negative” the next time, to at least get the feeling of where I’m supposed to be

[@LyraLauren]

You’ve got the right mindset 💪 Straddle mount is a tough one!

[@aerial_silks_hoop]

Great tips! I'm doing my first class in an hour so this is good to know

[@LyraLauren]

That’s so exciting! Hope you have a great first class. It can be a little painful at first, but it gets better after ~4-6 weeks, so don’t let the pain deter you if you like it 😄

[@aerial_silks_hoop]

Thank you!

[@JacquelineDGreen]

Excellent video

[@LyraLauren]

Thanks Jacqueline!

[@lillysartstudio4726]

thank you so much for sharing. Can I please ask you what type of crash. matts do you recommend to get?

[@LyraLauren]

Hi Lilly! I got my crash mats from a U.S. based gymnastics company called Z Athletic. If you’re staying low like my setup, most people opt for 4in mats. Bouldering mats are popular for low height setups too. If you’re going higher you probably want 8in or even 12in mats. You can always ask your studio what mats they use/recommend as they’ll be more knowledgeable than me :)

[@aliyahbrathwaite7044]

What hoop did you purchase to practice at home ? I’ve been wanting to purchase one for a while now but I was concerned the one I saw at XPole wouldn’t be high enough. Can I get the details on yours ? I love the set up, perfect for at home practice

[@LyraLauren]

Hi Aliyah! I got my hoop from Firetoys, but the hoop wouldn’t make much of a difference with height. Are you curious about the rig? If so, I have a couple videos talking about the rigs I’ve tried. The rig you see in this video is the Ludwig rig made by Vvolfy which I go in to details about in kzbin.info/www/bejne/faeseHiFeNqJoac. I had Uplift Active’s rig before this one which is very similar to X-Pole’s which I review in kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnSQln2EjrOmq5I. Hope that helps!

[@sassmagrass]

Hey there! Wonderful video. Where is your rig from ?

[@LyraLauren]

Thank you! The rig you see in this video is the Ludwig rig made by Vvolfy which I go in to details about in kzbin.info/www/bejne/faeseHiFeNqJoac

[@scarlet7658]

Hi Lyra! I am thinking about starting hoops, but I have a concern my hands are not strong enough for the exercies. I am training and I am kind of fit, but for example I can't pull myself and struggle with planks and push ups. Would you advise me to start and with time I'll have more power or maybe to build up more strength first and then start? Thank you! 💜

[@LyraLauren]

Great question, Scarlet! I’d recommend going to a class and see how it goes. The intro classes are a perfect way to learn the exercises that will help build the muscles you’ll need. Most people I know didn’t have a lot of upper body strength before starting and they gained it just by going to class. Hope that helps!

[@scarlet7658]

@@LyraLauren Thanks a lot for the answer, Lyra, I feel more confident to try now! I wish you a wonderful weekend! 💜

[@swinxfee]

I agree. Just start and you'll get stronger as you go

[@stasiaserge8075]

Hi!! Could you include a link to where you got that thing to hang your hoop from? I’m renting and can’t drill it into the ceiling :(

[@LyraLauren]

Hi Anastasia! Great question! I actually have a whole video about my rig, with all the links in the description of that video. Rig video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/faeseHiFeNqJoac

[@stasiaserge8075]

@@LyraLauren Cool, thank u so much! :)

[@LivinWithLex]

Hello! I am just getting started and wanting to introduce lyra to my studio. I know this video is older but it was extremely helpful so I hope you see this comment! What is the A-frame that you are using what what hoops/rigging equipment do you recommend? Thank you so much!

[@LyraLauren]

Hi there! I have a whole video about the rig that goes through all its info - Ludwig Aerial Rig: Unboxing and First Impressions kzbin.info/www/bejne/faeseHiFeNqJoac Best of luck with your studio!

[@LivinWithLex]

Thank you so much Lauren! @@LyraLauren

[@PrincessAnimeLexyb]

Where did you get your Lyra setup from?

[@LyraLauren]

Hi! I talk about my rig in this video: Ludwig Aerial Rig: Unboxing and First Impressions kzbin.info/www/bejne/faeseHiFeNqJoac

[@lesheawhite1870]

My feet keep hitting the bottom part on the trapeze mount

[@lilli9279]

Which hoop do you By it look very good in the room

[@LyraLauren]

Thanks Luna! My hoop is from Firetoys with a sparkle white powder coating.

[@amyamy3806]

hi, could u tell me how can i know the perfect size to Buy a hoop ?

[@LyraLauren]

Hi Amy! Hoop size is mostly a personal preference, so the best way is to try a few sizes at your studio and see which size feels most comfortable. However, any company that sells hoops will also provide a size guide and how to measure yourself for their size guide. Hope that helps!

[@justiceowens8435]

My teacher instructs me to mount the hoop using arm methods only. She corrects me if I try to use my legs to mount which feels and looks more natural to me. Not sure of her purpose for this..possibly so I can gain upper body strength? By the end of the class I’m so wore out and can’t hardly lift myself anymore

[@LyraLauren]

Sounds like your teacher hasn’t explained why they don’t want you to use your legs, so I’d recommend asking! It sounds exhausting…you must be quite strong!

[@aerials_etc]

Funnily enough I was actively told not to use my legs to get into a sit from DKH. My instructor (who I'm no longer with) said it's lazy, and that in all moves you should rely on your arms to develop strength. I guess that's one approach...

[@LyraLauren]

Wow! I’ve never been told to only use arms even as a conditioning exercise. Glad you’ve moved on from that instructor!

[@aerials_etc]

@@LyraLauren Me too. I feel like I wasted a couple of years there but am glad I found a new home with better technique and instruction - PLUS your fantastic videos! Thanks for making these resources available. I've loved your choreo/flow content too. :)

[@LyraLauren]

Aw, thank you! That means so much to me ☺️

[@marinaG.]

Hi ! What is the brand of your gate please? Thank u very much 😊

[@LyraLauren]

Hi Marina! What brand are you interested in? The rig?

[@marinaG.]

@@LyraLauren Sorry I'm using the translator, I'm talking about the structure that supports the hoop 😊

[@LyraLauren]

Oh, gotcha! It’s a Ludwig rig made by Vvolfy. I talk about it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/faeseHiFeNqJoac

[@kaitlynkemp6858]

i dont know what the heck is wrong with me. I CANNOT for the life of me do a straddle mount. I have been doing Lyra for a long time now and am currently training advanced tricks. I not only have all my splits on the floor but i have all of them in oversplits as well, including the straddle split. I do advanced tricks, that include more core strength than the straddle mount, with complete ease and fluidity. For some reason the straddle mount doesn't happen for me. It is so frustrating to be at an advanced level and not even have this beginner trick.

[@LyraLauren]

It’s crazy how the difficulty of each move varies between people! I’ve seen professional aerialists struggle with flowers and single knee hangs even though they are able to easily do moves that are generally considered much harder. It certainly is frustrating, though :/ I haven’t experienced this because I’m not very flexible, but I’ve heard that having a flat straddle can make the straddle mount more difficult because you need to be more conscious of the angle of your legs. Straddle mount is easier when the legs are in a “V” rather than inline with your hips. I’m sure you’ve tried it with a narrower straddle, but I thought I’d mention it in case any other flexible people are having a similar issue!

[@laceybee1268]

What are “negatives?”

[@LyraLauren]

Hi Lacey! Good question. A negative is when you do only the downward motion of an exercise. For example, for a pull-up negative, you’d start from the top, by either jumping up or standing on a stool, then slowly lower down.

[@laceybee1268]

@@LyraLauren I see! Thank you for the explanation. I took my first hoop class yesterday and definitely have a lot to learn! Your videos are very helpful.

[@LyraLauren]

Ohhh, your first class? That’s very exciting! Congrats on making it through! It gets less painful after the first 4-6 weeks 🥲

[@Yuukichan1888]

I was taught to pull up instead

[@LyraLauren]

Hi Yuuki! What mount were taught to pull up for?

[@Yuukichan1888]

@@LyraLauren from a straddle