Level 1 Egg Knot Skills Manual Final

Level 1 Egg Knot Skills
by Cori Woolfe, www.CircusAerials.com

and Aaron Johnson, www.VancouverCircusSchool.ca
LEVEL 1 EGG KNOT SKILLS

by
Cori Woolfe & Aaron Johnson
The expression of ideas in this manual are made to a diverse

user population of various ages, experiences and in a wide
variety of settings. It is impossible to present activities that are
appropriate to each specific environment at any given moment.
It is ultimately the responsibility of the aerial silks instructor/
coach to access each of his or her decisions taking into
consideration the age and condition (mental and physical) of
the student, the previous progressive development leading up
to the activities involved, the adequacy of the facility, the
adequacy of the equipment, the adequacy of the rigging, and
the degree of supervision available in light of the inherent risk
in the activity.
Warning! Any activity involving motion or height, may result in serious injury, paralysis or even death.
Aerial silks, or any aerial apparatus must be hung from a rigging point certified by a qualified engineer and hung by a
qualified rigger. Fabric and rigging must be inspected regularly. Training must always be conducted in the presence of a
qualified and knowledgeable instructor.
Page 1

THE EGG KNOT
The proper execution of skills on Aerial Silks requires strength. Beginners are
able to develop their strength on aerial silks by learning innovative tricks in the
Egg Knot. The Egg Knot reduces the amount of strength that is necessary for
beginners to learn many tricks that are in fact progression to more advanced
skills. The Knot is an excellent teaching tool for instructors to use when
teaching an introduction to Aerial Silks.
Note:
The terms Egg and Knot are used interchangeably in this manual.
You will notice the angle of many photos in the manual varies. The
Aerial Silk used for the demonstration photos was hung from a Petzel
Rescue Swivel allowing the Silk to turn freely. (pic of swivel)
Page 2

WHOLE-EGG POSE
Students enjoy enclosing themselves in the silks, to

form an egg.
Students should sit on the knot, close to the ground
initially, as balance and strength are required to
maneuver on the silks, similar to getting into a
hammock.
Mats must always be under the silks.
Page 3

TYING AN EGG KNOT

This is the beginning!
The live end is the end attached the ceiling. The dead
end is the other end.
Form a circle with the dead end going behind the live end.
Put your hand through the circle and pull the dead end out of the
circle to form a loop. Pull the loop out. You should have a loop
that is at least one foot (or approximately 20 centimeters.
Push down on the knot from above to make the knot more secure.
Standing on the knot has the same effect. Pulling on the dead end of
the knot, will pull the knot out.
Do not let students climb up to the knot on the dead end, or they will
pull it out and hit the ground!
Page 4

EGG PULLOVER
Back pull-over to the stomach on the egg knot then turn over to the back holding
onto the silks with both hands.
Problem
Most Likely Error
1. Unable to get hips to 1a. Throwing head back early

the knot
1b. Silks are held too low
Correction
1a. Keep head tucked in
1b. Hold silks higher
1c. Insufficient strength
1c. Instructor can assist lifting the hips

into position and suggest specific
exercises to build strength.
1d. Student falls to straight arms 1d. Practice pullover on a stable bar.
when they attempt to kick over Keep arms bent when lifting hips.
1e. Student becomes
1e. Practice being upside down.
disorientated.
1f. All the above
1f. Practice pullovers on a stable bar.
2. Difficulty turning body 2. Too low on stomach before
onto back
turn
2. Adjust students position to rest

body higher on the silks
Note: The back pull-over onto the Knot is a difficult skill for most beginners to
learn.
Note: It is sometimes easier to teach a beginner on a stable bar, like the low bar
on a set of gymnastics Asymmetrical Bars.
Note: Some students hook one leg on the silk and pull themselves thru the
pullover.
Note: The instructor can manually assist the student by spotting them into the
skill.
Note: Eventually this will be done with a higher knot so that the knot is high
enough to execute the Falling Angel Skills.
Page 5

Box Stand on Egg
1. Stand on the knot holding silks in each hand and lift one foot at a time
pushing feet sideways.
2. Push arms out to form box shape and hold position.
Problem
1. Stand is unstable
Most Likely Error
Correction
1a. Legs are too narrow
1a. Spread legs wide for stable base
1b. Arms are not straight
1b. Teach student to engage core and

slightly incurve body.
1c. Remind student to keep their core
tight
1c. Hips are loose making the

stand unstable
Note: For younger participants, the instructor can pull the knot down and have
the student step onto the knot.
NOTE: If arms or legs shake, return to standing position
Page 6

Crucifix Position in Egg

From Iron Cross Position
1. Start hanging on the knot and invert into straddle position; in the straddle
position, be sure that each leg is on the outside of each silk strand.
2. Wrap legs around silk. In-step of foot should be against the silk.
3. Straighten legs by pushing heels up the ceiling. (PUSH heels UP)
4. Practice locking feet and flexing feet.
5. Slide small of back down to the knot and bring the dead ends1 of the silks
over the shoulders.
6. The last photo shows the completed Crucifix position.
Problem
Hands slide down
Most Likely Error
Correction
Use Rosin or Firm Grip until grip

strength and confidence
improve.
Skin the cat. Over rotation
Legs brought through the
Practice on the ground having
through silks
insides, instead of the outsides student put their legs around
of the silks
the outside of silks as they
invert and straddle.
Sliding down uncontrolled while Feet not locked or not flexed
Practice the locked and flexed
upside down in foot lock.
enough.
position to build up tolerance to
the discomfort of the position..
Lack of grip strength
Dead end is a term to indicate the silk strands that are not bearing weight. Dead ends always hang down.
Page 7

Single Falling Angel from Egg
1. The Single Falling Angel in the Knot is done from the Crucifix position.
2. Hold the silks with arms out straight in front of the body, pike forward into
inverted straddle.
3. In straddled position, use a forceful hip extension from the inverted straddle
position to the upright position with arms in front of body.
Problem
Unable to fully rotate
Most Likely Error

Grabbing live end to rotate
Correction
Thrust hips and stay outcurved.
Fall through silks after rotation. Arms held too close to body
Keep arms straight and wide.
Chaffing of arms and torso
Uni-tard or body suit with long
Incorrect attire.
sleeves.
Page 8

Triple Falling Angel in Egg
1. Start from the Crucifix position

2. Bend knees and point toes to floor.
3. Reach up with hands and pull silks to sitting position.
4. Cross silks in front (cross hands), pull-over cross and hold position.
5. Flag arms (wrap) around silks before dropping to knees.

6. Point toes to floor in bent knee position to catch silks on back of knees.
7. Straighten legs into upside down straddle position.
Page 9

8. Complete single falling angel as above

Problem
Unable to get on the cross
Most Likely Error

Throwing head back
Keep chin tucked in
Not keeping arms bent
Build more arm strength with

pull-ups.
Have students go back and put
silks on shoulders.
Build hamstring strength by
hanging from knees with
spotting.
Review Single Falling or Provide
verbal support
Not putting silks on shoulders

Not bending knees enough to
catch them on the drop
Not completing Single Falling
angel
Correction
Forgot or became disoriented.
INSTRUCTORS TIP: Encourage the student to tempo their body if they are
not strong enough to pullover on crossed Silks.
Page 10

Plank Pose in Egg
1. From a sitting position on the knot place the silk behind one shoulder, keeping
the head on the opposite side, turn feet out and push feet out in front.
2. Balance in straight body position. Hold for several seconds.
3. Return to sitting position.
Note: Instruct students to hold on securely when doing this skill.

Note: Be sure students turn feet out when pushing the silks. Turning feet inward
will make the student unstable and they may fall from the position.
Problem
1. Unable to establish balance
Most Likely Error
Correction
1. Feet placed in inward

1a. Turn feet outward
position
1b. Silks rests on head instead 1b. Place silks over one
of shoulder
shoulder, slightly tilt head to
opposite shoulder
1c. Body is not straight
1c. Make body tight and lift hips
until body is straight
Page 11

Candy Roll in Egg
Close-up of foot position

1. Stand on knot with one foot, hold same side silk with both hands and lean
forward leading with opposite shoulder.
2. Twist same direction as standing leg and push silk down to ankle.
3. Repeat above action 3 times, then reverse direction to come out.
Note: Bottom leg must be kept straight throughout the entire sequence or it
will be almost impossible to complete the skill
Problem
Roll is not smooth
Most Likely Error
Correction
1. Bottom leg may be bent
1. Straighten bottom leg
2. Rolling in the wrong direction
2. Roll to the short side of the body
3. Silks are not pushed down to ankle 3. After each roll, push silk down to
ankle
Page 12

Saltoed Egg
This skill involves a full forward rotation of the body; a somersault. In gymnastics a somersault is also
referred to as a salto. Since this is done on the on the egg knot the kids in our program decided to call
this skill the
saltoed
egg.
1. Sit up on silks as in step 3 of triple falling angel.
2. Pull forward so shoulders are in front of silks.
3. Let go of silks with hands and salto forward into iron cross. Be sure to keep
legs and arms wide.
Page 13

Problem
Most Likely Error
Correction
Incomplete rotation
1. Silks off the shoulder

2. Not staying tight
1. Place silks over shoulders

before sitting up
2. Keep the body tight
3. Grabbing silks
3. Keep arms out and tight
4. Legs are too close together
4. Keep legs wide and tight for

rotation
Note 1: Beginners may be anxious about rotating forward. Instructors can

physically manipulate the skill until both the student and instructor are confident
the skill can be done safely.
Note 2: As a learning progression, especially when dealing with anxious
students, have them to triple leg wrap each leg (wrap silks around each leg three
times) before they lean into skill. This may make them feel more secure but they
will be unable to fully complete the rotation.
Note 3: The silks will often contact the face as the students rotate. Although this
might not look elegant, it is much safer. If students panic and forget to keep
their arms wide and to side, they will fall through the silks. If this was to occur,
having the silks on the shoulders, can help to slow them down enough for the
spotter to catch them.
Page 14

Crucifix Position in Egg

From Standing Position
NB: STUDENTS NEED TO BE ABLE TO SAFELY COMPLETE THIS SKILL BEFORE

THEY MOVE ON TO LEVEL 3 SKILLS - THE CRUCIFIX SKILLS OUT OF THE
KNOT.
1. Start standing on the knot and invert into straddle position; in the straddle
position, be sure that each leg is on the outside of each silk strand.
2. Wrap legs around silk. In-step of foot should be against the silk.
3. Straighten legs by pushing heels up the ceiling. (PUSH heels UP)
4. Practice locking feet and flexing feet. Stay slightly in-curved, chin in.
5. Slide small of back down to the knot and bring the dead ends2 of the silks
over the shoulders.
6. The last photo shows the completed Crucifix position.
Problem
Most Likely Error
Correction
Hands slide down
Lack of grip strength
Skin the cat. Over rotation

through silks
Legs brought through the

Practice on the ground having
insides, instead of the outsides student put their legs around
of the silks
the outside of silks as they
invert and straddle.
Sliding down uncontrolled while Feet not locked or not flexed

upside down in foot lock.
enough.
Not staying in-curved.
2
Use Rosin or Firm Grip until grip

strength and confidence
improve.
Practice the locked and flexed

position. Keep body incurved to
prevent sliding.
Dead end is a term to indicate the silk strands that are not bearing weight. Dead ends always hang down.
Page 15

Inverted Splits in Egg

This is an optional, slightly more advanced Egg skill. This skill is usually performed by older
participants as it requires adequate grip strength and good spatial orientation.
1. Invert in tuck position and with legs between silks catch one foot on the silk
and point other foot to floor.
2. Tuck head and roll forward to return to stand on Egg

Problem
Most Likely Error
Hand grip slips
1. Insufficient grip strength
Correction
1. Improve strength before continuing

to learn the skill
2. Hands are oily and slippery 2. Spray hands with rosin mixture before
attempting skill
Body twists when leg is Leg is hooked on opposite side Catch the right silk with the right foot or
hooked
of silk
the left silk with the left foot
Incomplete rotation into Catching leg incorrectly, usually Keeping both legs between silks, catch
splits
on the outside of the silk
the right silk with the right foot or the
left silk with the left foot
Page 16

This concludes the Level 1 Egg Knot Skills.

We sincerely hope you have found this to be beneficial.
Aerial Silks is a relatively new sport or art form. Your
feedback and input is welcome.
If you have not already purchased the Level 2 and 3 skills
manuals and DVDs, we hope that you will!
If you would like to see more advanced skills in this series,
please let us know!
You can purchase Aerial Silks Manuals and DVDs through
www.CircusAerials.com
Cori Woolfe
www.CircusAerials.com
Aaron Johnson
www.VancouverCircusSchool.ca
Page 17

Level 1 Egg Knot Skills Manual Final

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Level 1 Egg Knot Skills

by Cori Woolfe, www.CircusAerials.com