I’ve always been a little picky about yoga studios. Not because I need them to be fancy or offer hyper-specific styles of the practice. I just really believe the space matters and that the environment shapes the experience.
When you’re teaching or practising yoga, the difference between a room that feels calming and a room that feels chaotic massively impacts the practice and experience.
I knew I wanted to teach aerial yoga…but finding the right space proved to be a challenge. I was spoiled with the most beautiful studio for the beginning of my aerial years and I didn’t think anywhere could ever compare.
But I faced the fact that if I wanted to teach, I would have to find somewhere that did.
Looking for My Aerial Yoga Home
Finding aerial yoga classes isn’t easy. It is still relatively niche compared to more traditional styles of yoga.
Since moving to the Mornington Peninsula, I had been on the look out for an aerial studio to practice in
I found a studio only minutes from our home. But they only offered aerial classes at a time where I often had conflict.
Though as I write that, I think I can finally admit that yes, I did often have conflicts. But if I were to be honest…I was a little scared. If this place wasn’t right…what options were left?
I had my aerial hammock at home, which helped. I could still climb in, stretch, invert and play. But if you’ve ever practised yoga regularly in a beautiful studio environment, you’ll know it’s not quite the same as practising alone in a garage.
After our returning from our 2025 “grown up gap year” (when we finally and officially were certified aerial teachers), I knew I wanted to teach locally. And I knew where I had to go.
Love at First Sight (With a Small Complication)
When I arrived to Silverleaf Yoga Studio in Merricks, I was immediately in awe of the place. I had been cyber stalking them for years at this stage, so the environment wasn’t exactly a surprise. But standing there, beneath the towering gums and chirping birds…I fell in love.
I did the aerial class, having so much fun flying around on the silks with other students. But when the class was over, I had this wave of sadness overcome me.
This wasn’t going to be the place I taught aerial.
The owners created a beautiful purpose-built studio on their property – a clear passion project. They are trained in a very specific style of yoga and built something very intentional. All of this combined…made me believe I wouldn’t fit.
So I left.
And then spent the next few months thinking about it.
The Search Continues
I spent the next few days in deep research mode and found another potential place I could teach.
I attended the class, and while I always have fun on the silks, I again felt it wasn’t the place for me.
The studio has incredible offerings that expand beyond yoga, and the space they have is perfect for them.
But it is not perfect for the experience I want to create with my style of teaching.
Despite my love for writing, I can’t quite describe the feeling that accompanied that realisation. I felt like I was out of options. My dream a little further out reach.
Returning to Silverleaf
There were a few steps that came next. Including measurements and conversations with draftsmen and builders and budgets….but we’ll breeze over the “Brittany Going Mad” chapter.
After a bit of a journey…I messaged Silverleaf Studio. What followed was great conversations with a human who loves the practice as much as I do and picking a start date for my aerial yoga classes.
Standing beneath the gum trees in Merricks, I realised I’d finally found it.
I can’t think of a better place to hang upside down.
And now, every Wednesday evening, I have the privilege of sharing aerial yoga in this beautiful purpose-built studio beneath the trees.
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