INTO THE ORB

Jessica Barker Words of Wisdom from your Aerial Arts Instructor

Orbsoul Community Spotlight

Jess’s beginning in aerial arts was in an unexpected place—her grandmother’s living room. Watching an old VHS of a Cirque du Soleil show, she was mesmerized by the aerial performances, the dazzling artistry, and the sheer magic unfolding before her eyes. From the age of four, she was already captivated by the circus, and that early fascination never faded. Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Jess moved to the capital city in 2013. Here is where she began training at 3Sixty Dance & Fitness School. She quickly transitioned into the role of instructor, teaching aerial silks, aerial hammock, and pole classes. What started as a childhood dream has now become her way of sharing her love of movement with the world.

The Spark That Ignited a Passion

It wasn’t until 2016—at a bachelorette party pole class—that Jess realized aerials weren’t just for performers in faraway arenas; they were something she could actually do. From there, she took her first aerial silks class and never looked back.

Aerialists often have a deep connection to their first apparatus. For Jess, silks was the first and will always have her heart. The possibilities are endless when working with two tails, allowing for stunning shapes and dynamic transitions! The challenge, however, is keeping track of all that fabric. But for Jess, that’s part of the beauty—the payoff of mastering complexity and making it look effortless. And then there’s the thrill of nailing a drop she has been practicing, feeling the exhilarating rush of letting go and trusting in your technique.

From Student to Teacher

Becoming an instructor felt like a natural evolution for Jess. She moved from offering tips to her fellow students in class and teaching tricks to friends at home to being selected in 2021, for 3Sixty’s Instructor Mentorship program, where she learned how to teach safely and confidently. Her first official class was Beginner to Intermediate Aerial Silks — a full-circle moment.

The best part of teaching? Seeing your students succeed. That moment when the trick finally *clicks* after weeks of effort? Pure magic. Some of her students have now surpassed her skill level, and instead of feeling intimidated, she feels nothing but pride.

Choreography doesn’t come naturally to Jess, and that doesn’t stop her from performing. She starts with a song she loves, picks her favorite tricks, builds combos, and fills in the gaps—with a little help from her friends. She loves being on stage, and her school is filled with talented instructors who lead troupes for students. Her outfits? Facebook Marketplace finds or custom pieces made by those who understand an aerialist’s needs. She thrives in group performances and is affectionately known as the troupe queen by her friends.

Overcoming Challenges: Strength Over Splits

One of the greatest challenges in Jess’s aerial journey has been flexibility. Unlike some aerialists, she is not naturally bendy, which means certain moves and shapes are simply out of reach. Over the past few months, she has dedicated time to training both active and passive flexibility to expand her range of motion. Along the way, she learned a very important lesson.

Splits don’t define an aerialist.

There will always be ways to improve. Instead of fixating on what you can’t do, it's important to celebrate what you can do, and appreciate the strength your body has built to get you here.

That mindset has also shaped her journey as an instructor, which is, without a doubt, her proudest accomplishment in aerial arts. Teaching has allowed her to embrace her own progress while helping others find theirs. Sharing her passion and watching students succeed fills her with joy. Every time someone tells her, “I got this trick because of you,” it reminds her why she loves what she does.

Jess's Advice:

"It's too easy to browse social media and see all these amazingly strong and flexible aerialists who make everything look effortless, which can make us mere mortals feel discouraged. So, I try to draw some inspiration from social media without spending too much time comparing myself to what I see."

Finding Inspiration in the Community

My greatest inspiration comes from my community—my instructors, friends, mentors, and students. I look up to each of them and aspire to embody their strengths in different ways. I want to do drops like Dana, bend like Emma, be strong like Vic, flow like Gehana, and dance like Denise—the list is endless. Watching them perform or train in class, seeing the dedication and hard work they put in pushes me to be the best I can be. Their passion fuels my own, reminding me that growth in aerial arts isn’t just about individual progress but about lifting each other up along the way.

Jess’s Training Tips

"When it comes to training for aerial arts, I believe that the approach should be tailored to individual goals. If someone is training aerials as a fun hobby, the practice itself often builds enough strength over time—every trick attempted contributes to overall improvement. However, if the goal is mastering a specific move or shape, it’s important to target the areas that need increased strength or mobility to achieve that trick. Conditioning can be tough, so having a clear purpose behind it makes all the difference.

For my own training, I prioritize pull-ups, leg lifts, hollow body holds, and grip strength, as these foundational exercises translate well to any apparatus. While general flexibility—especially in the back, shoulders, and hips—is beneficial, I emphasize that training should be intentional, focusing on what will best support your own progress and performance."

A Journey That’s Uniquely Yours

Jess’s biggest piece of advice? Don’t give up! Aerials can feel intimidating, and they are for everyone. Feeling stuck? Talk to your instructor. There’s always something accessible to you, and trying different apparatuses can help you find your niche. Cross-training isn’t just beneficial—it’s transformative.

For anyone feeling pressure to match someone else’s aerial journey, Jess has an important reminder: Your progress is your own. Train within your capabilities, celebrate your victories, and, most importantly—keep it fun.

Aerial artistry isn’t just about mastering tricks. It’s about building confidence, embracing challenges, and being part of a community that lifts each other up—literally and figuratively.