St. Cloud’s only aerial yoga studio
Yoga that lifts you off the ground.
Suspended in an aerial silk hammock, you'll discover a practice that releases tension, realigns your body, and rebuilds strength — in ways a mat simply can't offer. No experience required. Any body, any fitness level.
What the silk Gives you
Why Aerial yoga?
Spinal Decompression
Postural Realignment
Functional Strength
Accessible Inversions
Nervous System Reset
Trust & Play
Aerial yoga offers benefits that go well beyond what mat yoga can provide — especially for people dealing with back pain, postural issues, or anyone who wants a genuinely different way to experience their practice.
The practice
Not just for the acrobatic
Aerial yoga uses a soft, supportive silk hammock suspended from the ceiling to deepen your yoga practice in ways that simply aren't possible on the mat. Supported by the silk, you can experience genuine spinal decompression, accessible inversions, and a profound release of tension — regardless of your flexibility or strength level.
At Shanti, we practice the Unnata® Aerial Yoga Method — created by founder Michelle Dortignac, drawing from over 20 years of teaching yoga, meditation, movement, and aerial arts. Everything we do follows a deliberate three-part sequence:
Release
Realign
Rebuild
Aerial Yoga is for:
Yoga practitioners
Athletes & Active people
Anyone with back or joint tension
The curious
That thought is the most common thing we hear from people standing outside our aerial room. Here's what we know after years of teaching aerial yoga to students of every age, body type, and fitness level.
One requirement
Students must be 16 or older. All other bodies, fitness levels, and experience levels are welcome — any body, any age above 16.
“I’m not strong enough/ flexible enough/ young enough”
The silk does the heavy lifting — literally. You don't need to arrive with strength or flexibility. You build those things here. Our aerial students range from complete beginners in their 60s to experienced yogis looking for something new. The Fundamentals Workshop exists precisely so you can learn at your own pace before joining a regular class.
If you’re thinking "I could never do that” — This section is for you
Who it’s for
Aerial Yoga FAQ
Common Questions
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No — and this is the question we hear most often. The Unnata® method begins with Release, which means we start by letting the silk support your body, not by demanding strength from it. Strength and flexibility are things you develop through the practice. You don't need to arrive with either.
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The Fundamentals Workshop teaches you how to safely enter, exit, and support yourself in the silk — skills that regular classes assume you already have. It's not a gatekeeping exercise; it's how we make sure your very first experience in the silk is positive, safe, and sets you up for everything that comes next. Most students leave the workshop excited to come back.
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Our aerial silks are rated to hold well over 1,000 pounds and are rigorously maintained and inspected. If you have specific concerns, please reach out before booking — we're happy to talk it through so you can arrive feeling confident.
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You might be surprised — in most aerial yoga postures, you're only a foot or two off the ground. The experience is much more about being cradled and supported than about height. Many students who come in with height concerns find the silk feels grounding rather than scary. That said, tell your teacher and they'll work with you at whatever level feels right.
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Yes — once you've completed the Fundamentals Workshop, all regular aerial classes (Aerial Yin and Aerial Yoga) are included with all Shanti memberships and class packs. The Fundamentals Workshop itself is $60 and booked separately.
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Aerial yoga is often recommended for people with back tension — spinal decompression is one of its signature benefits. That said, some conditions may require modifications or medical clearance first. Please reach out before booking and let us know what you're working with — our teachers are trained to adapt and will guide you appropriately.
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Students must be 16 years or older to participate in aerial yoga classes and workshops at Shanti.
All new students begin with the Aerial Fundamentals Workshop before joining regular classes. It's not a barrier — it's how we make sure your first experience in the silk is safe, supported, and genuinely enjoyable.
Start Here
your path into the silK
on the schedule
Aerial Fundamentals Workshop
2 Saturdays/month - 8am - 1.5hrs
Your entry point into aerial yoga at Shanti. In this 90-minute workshop, you'll learn the foundational postures and holds for using the aerial silk — how to support your body weight, experience tension release, begin realigning your posture, and build the initial strength you'll use in every aerial class going forward. Pre-booking required so we can anticipate your arrival and follow up with reminders.
Investment: $60, pre-registration required
Level: Beginner
Class Size: Limited to 8 students
Aerial Yoga
Wednesdays at 5:30pm
A well-rounded aerial yoga class suitable for all levels once you've completed the Fundamentals Workshop. Each class moves through the Unnata® Release → Realign → Rebuild sequence, blending breath, movement, and stillness in the silk. A different experience every week, always grounded in the same intentional method.
Prerequisite: Fundamental Workshop
Level: All levels
Class Size: Limited to 8 students
Aerial classes are included with all Shanti memberships and class packs once the Fundamentals Workshop is complete.
Aerial Yin
Mondays at 7pm
A deeply restorative aerial practice that combines the long-held, connective-tissue-targeting postures of yin yoga with the support and decompression of the silk. Expect extended holds, deep release, and a profound nervous system reset. Ideal after a long day or a heavy week. Fundamentals Workshop required before attending.
Prerequisite: Fundamental Workshop
Level: All levels
Class Size: Limited to 8 students
What to wear:
Form-fitting, flexible clothing — leggings and a fitted top work well
Shirt with sleeves — the silk wraps around your arms and bare skin can chafe
Long pants or capris recommended — silk will contact your legs
NO jewelry — rings, bracelets, and necklaces can catch in the silk
NO makeup or lotions on skin that will contact the silk — help us keep the silks clean
NO tank tops — sleeves are required for aerial classes
A few things to know before your first aerial class or workshop so you can walk in feeling prepared and confident.
wHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU aRRIVE
yOUR FIRST TIME
Pre-booking is required
Arrive a few minutes early
The silk will hold you (1K+ lbs)
Class size is small by design
You do need a yoga mat
8
Maximum students per aerial class — small by design
6
Certified aerial teachers on our team
$60
Fundamentals Workshop — 90mins — your starting point
Shanti is proud to offer certified Unnata® Aerial Yoga instruction. Michelle Dortignac, the founder of the Unnata® method, joins us as a guest teacher — one of the only opportunities in the region to practice directly with her.
Using aerial silk reveals subtle insights that can only be found from an aerial perspective — and applies them to transform your practice on the ground.
Our method
Ready to leave the ground?
Start with the Fundamentals workshop
Every aerial student at Shanti starts here. A 90-minute Saturday morning workshop offered 2x per month, designed to give you everything you need to feel confident and safe in the silk. $60, pre-registration required.
Select “Workshops" on Momence Schedule page.