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August 2023 by Blue B.
The best part are the teachers - some really lovely, knowledgable and welcoming people work here, and the new owner Trisha is awesome. Great for total beginners up to more experienced levels. I wish it were closer to DC, but the fact that there is loads of free parking makes it much more convenient!
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June 2023 by Rebecca Wardall
I've been attending classes at Monarca since 2018, and I love it here so much. The instructors are wonderful and safety is always prioritized. There's a huge variety of classes and levels, as well as private lessons and open studio. Everyone is always friendly and welcoming, and there are showcases 2-3 times a year for students to perform. If you're not a fan of aerials, there are handstand and flexibility classes too. Definitely recommend trying a class if you're interested!
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August 2022 by Katherine L.
Love this wonderful establishment for the joy, community, fitness, challenges, artistry, accessibility and flexibility! While it may be a little strange to get to the location from the strange turn off Carlin Springs Road, then winding your way towards the back in between a church and some other fitness establishment, it is there, so go! They have recently changed the outside decor to have a welcoming, vibrant blue along the wall, so it is easier to find. What can one do here if you've never thought about any of the things they do here? That's up to you. I can only comment on what I've tried out, so far! The studio has plenty of evening classes during the week and a bunch on the weekends during the day and afternoon. Classes vary from stretching and flexibility to conditioning, including focusing on splits, backbends and handstands. They also of course focus on skills like dance trapeze, aerial trapeze, Lyra, silks, handstands, and rope. I'm sure there are more, but I can't remember. I like that the classes complement each other - so maybe go to a stretching/ flexibility class like splits and then go to a Lyra or aerial trapeze class. The classes have different levels, but you first would need to start at an introduction to ... class. There are 2 basic intro. classes - the introduction to hard apparatus (aerial trapeze and Lyra) and the introduction to soft apparatus (silks). They are 2 very different classes, but I guarantee you will feel all the physical demands of fitness by completing one of these classes. Once you complete one of those, you are free to sign up for level 1 classes of those respective apparatuses. Wondering how much stretching you should do before a class? Don't wonder, every class instructor builds in stretching to the class. So, if the class is 1 hour and 30 minutes, at least 10 minutes will help your body get ready for the class, and at least 5 minutes at the end to stretch out as well. For every class I've attended, the instructors are patient, knowledgeable, talented and creative. That means, for someone like me, who is challenged in knowing how to move body parts when I'm hanging upside down or what's forward vs backwards left vs right, they are super helpful to guide you. They are all also very respectful and will interact with you with your pronouns and your level of comfort in how you like to receive instruction. I am super impressed with how the instructors can reevaluate your abilities and needs and help you figure out how to do the things. It looks easy for the instructors/ coaches, but... it's definitely not easy for me, and they never hesitate to help and encourage me. I first started here because I was interested in aerial trapeze, but then I took a few Lyra classes and some silks. Then there were handstand classes, too. I am still most interested in aerial trapeze, but there is only 1 of those level 1 classes a week, and it books up! They do have open studio times for your practicing needs, so that's awesome. I love the silks classes, and there are more of the level 1 classes - they go up to level 3, wow! Handstands are currently once a week, but I've never seen all of the spots taken. It's a great class though! The parking is super easy, and it's free, so that's awesome. However, sometimes, it gets really busy - especially the weekends, but you can generally still find a spot. Try this out if you have any interest in aerial arts. You will love it and be challenged and will go back! See you at Monarca!
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April 2022 by Beth Jensen
How fun! The staff is supportive, kind, and professional. They are skilled and encouraging. I really enjoyed my intro class and plan to go back in the future. The gym was clean and the people were welcoming.
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April 2021 by sparkle w.
Amazing customer service! Mr. Keith was very helpful and I look forward to taking their class! I wish they offered more intro classes but would recommend on the customer service alone!
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October 2019 by Brittni T.
Purchased the groupon... my oh my! so I was unable to make the first session and they didn't let me reschedule. Honestly, I wasn't even upset because it's not fun lmbo! The silks are actually very hard and very uncomfortable. The instructor isn't really that patient with you. He expects you to pick it up the techniques on the first attempt. With the groupon you can only take two classes which are the Intro to Hard Apparatus : Lyra & Trapeze and Intro to Soft Apparatus: Silks & Slings. I really wanted to leave but since I didn't make the first class I attempted to get my money worth out of the silks class. The location is clean, bathroom is large and clean. There is a parking lot. With all of this said, it still was an experience for me to add to things I've tried. *shrugs* it's not horrible but I wouldn't go again. P.S - I got nauseated with all the swinging and upside down poses (which were pretty cool).
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August 2019 by Angelica F.
I usually don't write reviews - but I've never felt so strongly about a place in my entire life until now. First, some of the teachers are downright disrespectful, especially the owner of the studio, if you don't want to deal with people then don't own a business or teach. I should have to put up with your attitude when I'm paying you for a service. Second their leveling system for class progression is b******** there is no clear answer to what skills you need to have to level up. There's no system in place to check off individual skills for a student and the instructor are like its whatever the owner comes up with. And that changes at least once or twice a week. Third, cancelling my membership was a nightmare. I'm in the Army and I had to break from my membership because due to a change in a new duty station. I provided a new set of orders as an explanation and I was still being charged months after I left the area. Paying 179.00 a month for a membership I'm not using is ridiculous.To this day I haven't seen any type of refund from them. I wouldn't recommend this place at all.
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June 2019 by Lauren
recently took an intro to silks class, and was very excited to attend. However my experience with the instructor was not a great one. Throughout the class he would say to me "what is that?"when I was attempting to try one of the poses that was taught. I noticed he would constantly say that to me, and not the other students Mind you, this was my first time ever doing aerial silks. I was trying my best. I was getting upset with these comments, that I didn't even want to try anymore. I was so disappointed and looking forward to attending, and was considering getting a membership. Now I don't want to come back.
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May 2019 by Lauren C.
I recently took an intro to silks class, and was very excited to attend. However my experience with the instructor was not a great one. Throughout the class he would say to me "what is that?"when I was attempting to try one of the poses that was taught. I noticed he would constantly say that to me, and not the other students Mind you, this was my first time ever doing aerial silks. I was trying my best. I was getting upset with these comments, that I didn't even want to try anymore. I was so disappointed and looking forward to attending, and was considering getting a membership. Now I don't want to come back.
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January 2019 by Gian Carlo B.
I joined this studio after trial with Groupon. I was committed and immediately purchased the first month membership with them and was willing to go for a full-year membership.I was going there almost everyday to get better. The studio has good stretch tools for the floor as well as Aerial equipment. I'm quitting because of the quality of instruction. Basically instructors are not good at teaching. Plus they exams instructors after being Aerialists only for a few to several years themselves. I dance and do martial arts. Instructors for those usually have a few decades of experiences practicing in those disciplines. Also instructors in this studio are not really friendly, at least to me, and they chat with and pay more attention to their buddies, members for a longer period. I'm quitting because of one male instructor called Acoszin Torres. First intro class with him made me uncomfortable. He just doesn't know how to teach a class of only several people. He can focus on one person at a time and spend too much time. Others were left confused with no instruction. I took second class, and he was not attentive to newer students like myself and another woman. We were left confused. And got his attention only a few times during the class. When he came over to us, he said, " What are you doing? That's not what I taught you. Pay attention!" I mean, we have been trying hard with not much attention from the instructor. We were new and didn't deserve such a comment in a mean and conceded tone. Well, this studio lost a customer who had been willing to stick around for years to come. Also my friends were interested in trying out. Obviously, my friends are not going to this studio after my experience.
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November 2018 by Marie Unikas
Monarca in Flight is amazing! I honestly can't recommend this place highly enough. I've never done aerials before and took my first intro class about 7 months ago and have had a membership ever since. The owner has done a fantastic job building a team of highly skilled and personable instructors and developing a class schedule with convenient hours (primarily evenings and weekends) and a variety of interesting classes for people with different skill levels and interests, while always making safety a top priority. The culture at Monarca is very welcoming and friendly from the first intro class, regardless of prior experience level or abilities. It's an awesome place to learn new skills and have a lot of fun!
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October 2018 by Sarah G.
I was so excited to find a Lyra program in the area, the one at Monarca is fantastic! Before finding this studio I took a few workshop style classes at a different studio which were great, but it wasn't a great fit for me. I originally purchased a groupon for the intro classes at monarca, took 2 intro to hard apparatus which includes lyra and trapeze, after my 2nd class I got the ok to move onto the beginner classes. I really enjoyed the intro classes because the instructors do an excellent job of breaking down each move, ensure everyone is safe throughout the class, and it's an excellent workout. So far I've taken beginner lyra classes with Acoatzin and he's a fantastic instructor! The classes are small to ensure the instructors can watch and help everyone. I learn something new each time and I'm excited to learn more about lyra through monarca!
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September 2018 by Nichii Ganapatayei Namaha
I enjoyed my experience in the fundamentals class.
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June 2018 by Angie Prescott
An amazing studio with amazing staff! Monarca has highly qualified instructors, safe rigging and the right equipment to help you with your aerial goals (and your fitness goals). Acoatzin has built a beautiful space filled with positive energy - something you need to see in person! Highly recommend!
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June 2018 by Christine P.
I really enjoyed my experience at the studio...until I wasn't able to sign up for my second class. I purchased two intro class from Groupon and was able to sign up for an intro to soft apparatus class with no problem. The instructor, Kat, was knowledgeable, engaging, welcoming and patient with everyone in the class! We started class with a 20-minute warm-up and then started with basic moves on the silks. We definitely enjoyed the class with Kat, but wanted to try the intro to hard apparatus class which includes working with the lyra and trapeze. Unfortunately, the studio has a 60 day policy to take your second class after taking your first class. This was not made clear to my two friends and I. We asked specifically after our first class if there was a time restriction to take our next class and was told there was no expiration for our second class. However, this was not the same message I received from the staff when I tried to email them to sign up for the second class. This policy is not listed on their website nor on the Groupon, making it very disappointing because we were excited to take another class. I would have highly recommended this studio if this problem was resolved, but the lack of customer service and ability to be flexible with their customers was disheartening.
