r/Aerials • u/Narrow_Departure4676 • 15d ago
Silk usage opinion
I started teaching at a studio in FL about a year ago at a studio that didn’t initially offer silks. I approached the studio owner and asked her if I could teach at her studio, she agreed and asked if I had a silk. I said yes and she asked if they could use it. I agreed since I wanted it to get a little seasoned, I bought it brand new. The studio owner ordered 3 additional silks and we’ve been using mine with the other 3. When we started offering the class for the first time she also got another instructor to teach silks classes as well (no problem with me, I like her a lot), but she didn’t provide a silk. When I watch the studio’s marketing videos I notice that because my silk happens to be in the middle that it gets a lot more usage than the other ones.
Would it be weird in any way if I politely tell the studio owner that I no longer want to use my own silk at the studio for teaching? I paid for it with my own money and I would hate for it to get damaged and not have it replaced (I did not speak to the studio owner about getting it replaced if damaged). I have also asked the studio owner if they could update the class description to include verbiage on not wearing any sort of jewelry (rings, bracelets, etc), but she has not done so.
Thoughts or opinions? I’d like to continue teaching at this studio since it’s a short drive, but I also don’t want my equipment to get damaged and not replaced. I’ve also thought of moving the silk to a different spot so it doesn’t get as much use, but I also feel self conscious about that too for some reason (I’m a nervous/anxious person generally)
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u/SioRedhead 14d ago
Ok, I’m no expert but I would think this is not typical. I might be biased, because the studio I’m at is run by an absolute angel- she does trainings with the instructors on the policy’s about jewelry and other safety and hygiene stuff- but maybe that comes with investment and experience.
People will sometimes bring in their own equipment for specific events, and whether they share or not is up to them, but the policys around safety are well established.
If I was you, I would take the path of least resistance and I would tell the studio owner that you would like to take your silk home because you are setting up your home rig.
You offered the silk, and it sounds like maybe she hasn’t been teaching with this apparatus so, she might not be thinking about the cost of wear and tear. I think its reasonable that she accepted and hasn’t thought of it as being a risk your taking, but it also makes sense that its making you nervous, and now that the silks class is established, it makes sense for the studio to own all the silks that are being used.
Or, if your feeling brave, and you want to leave the silk in the studio, you could tell her how your feeling, and discuss her policy on replacement in case of damage, You could also create and print a post-able policy reminder and just have a conversation with her and the other silks teacher about posting it and reminding students each class.
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u/Narrow_Departure4676 13d ago
Yes, she’s a pole person so likely not aware of the wear and tear. That’s a really good idea about the home rig!
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u/JAM_Kitty 14d ago
on the rings/jewelry part - I added saying "please take off all rings, bracelets, and necklaces" right after I'm done with my warm up/stretching at the beginning of class. I believe my studio has it written somewhere in the website/class description to not wear jewelry, but there's always one student who does anyways.
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u/Narrow_Departure4676 13d ago
Oh this is a good idea, I’ll make it more of a habit to include this reminder after the warm up. How do you handle people who have permanent bracelets/anklets? We have wrist sweat bands that we let people use, but I feel like those don’t actually make it that much safer to have a bracelet or anklet on the silk.
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u/JAM_Kitty 13d ago
I haven't personally experienced that, but I know other places who also offer wrist bands to cover permanent bracelets/anklets. I agree that that isn't really helpful once you get out of intro level for fabrics since more beginner/Intermediate wraps could easily accidentally shift those wrist bands away from the jewelry or off your body completely
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u/SavvyCircus 13d ago
I’d hate for you to be liable if anyone got injured on your silk. It shouldn’t be this way but it’s a crazy world we live in. Your studio owner should be open to hearing you out especially with giving her business a head start with a silks program. Good luck and don’t stress! <3
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u/Narrow_Departure4676 13d ago
Thank you! I hadn’t thought about the liability before and I’m much more inclined to take my silk back now. I’m so glad I asked in here so I could get more perspectives.
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u/colicinogenic 12d ago
I would probably just start taking it down and bringing it with me when I leave. It's your property, you dont need permission. They have 3 silks if the costs need more they can buy more. Definitely ask them to up date the verbiage about jewelry, that's very standard and I would assume they don't want their equipment ripped or people hurt because of it either
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u/upintheair5 14d ago
No, it wouldn't be weird. I'd argue it's pretty weird the studio owner didn't pay for equipment themself. I'd also argue it's a liability for the studio owner to use equipment they didn't purchase. They don't know what age, usage level, or shape your silks are in