November? NOVEMBER!!!!
Last Friday we announced that the 11th annual show will be on Saturday, November 7th. Wait, November? YES!!!! The show is being moved up a month. Why, you ask? First, the “Christmas Show” had nothing to do with actual Christmas for years. No Christmas Songs, no Christmas costumes. It was just that it was in December. For the past two years we’ve been transitioning to call it the “annual show” anticipating that we wanted to move it out of December because of Christmas. Every year there are conflicting work parties and child concerts because of the holiday. So starting in 2020 we will now be avoiding those conflicts with an earlier date. Thanksgiving weekend is a pain for rehearsals. Seriously. Groups usually have difficulty getting everyone together around that time due to family events and travel. This means a lot of stress in planning and not making for an easy show rehearsal experience. By moving up the show, we avoid this entirely. We also moved up the show far enough that it won’t conflict with deer hunting since we didn’t want to cause marital issues….yes, we took that into consideration when picking the new date. Snow. Seriously. Every month leading up to the show I watch the weather like a crazy person and pray to every god that controls weather that whatever day the show happens to be on that year we don’t have a blizzard. We’ve been VERY lucky and only had yucky roads twice in the 10 years. But I’m tired of worrying about the weather! The earlier date will make a blizzard less likely…in theory… In 2020 we are going to be working with a new production company, JEM, and the November date had less of a chance of conflicting with a Vic Ferrari show (which both JEM and I are usually at) and other holiday shows that are busy during that time. For the past two years I’ve missed Vic shows, that I would normally perform in, because they were scheduled after our show was scheduled and conflicted. This year we had reserved our date 14 months in advance with EPS (the production crew) then found out a few weeks before they had booked a bunch of other things the same day, were now short staffed, and we needed to provide setup and teardown workers. This was UN-FUN. So the earlier date should be less busy in the land of production. One of the big reasons we also wanted to move the show date was to help our students progress. The summer slump is real. As is the December slump. By moving the show to November, show rehearsals will starting in July/August so the summer slump will be shorter. By having the show done in November, we have a ton of activities planned for classes to get students back into the studio and growing Nov/Dec instead of doing the show and taking a month off until January. Our competition team dancers will benefit. A major competition is in January in the midwest. Moving the show means that we’ve added an entire month of time to let our competition dancers concentrate on that event. This means more competition team practices and training sessions. It also means a student could wait until after the annual show to start competition prep if she was inspire to do so after performing in our show. And the final, a totally selfish, reason, all of your instructors, and especially me, want a holiday too. The first few years the show was not the monster it is now, so I could do both, put on a show for our students and do holiday stuff. But in recent years, like the last 6, the show is a HUGE undertaking and has basically meant I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas the way I would like. I haven’t really decorated my house because before the show there isn’t time and after I recover from the the show I wonder why I should bother with a week to go. I haven’t taken trips to see my siblings because I wouldn’t be back for show rehearsals. 2020 is my year to have holiday celebrations and I’m so excited for it. Moving the show means enjoying the full holiday season AND getting to put on an epic show. Sounds like a win win to me!!!
Reach out this holiday
It’s the week of Christmas. For many of us that means frantically getting that last gift and baking yummy things. It means family gatherings and love. It means being off work and having fun. It means happiness. But it doesn’t for everyone. Do you know someone who is lonely? Do you know someone who doesn’t have family around? Do you know someone who lost a partner or parent this year? Do you know someone who has a broken heart? You do. We all do. Have you reached out to them during this busy season? I know we all have so much going on, but for those in the throes of grief this week and time of year may be even harder. There are so many articles about depression over the holidays and I am not knowledgeable on the subject. But I do know that the holidays hold a lot triggers. And for some that means needing to feel connected. In 2017 I was heartbroken, scared for my sister and dead inside. I actually booked a trip over Christmas so I wouldn’t have to pretend. I went to a place my phone literally wouldn’t work and ran away. That was my coping. It almost worked. I almost ignored the Christmas/New Years week. When I was in the midst of my depression, I wasn’t capable of talking about it or reaching out. I was going through the motions of life but not actually alive. (Ala Buffy! for those of you who enjoyed the Buffy Musical…) So what I can tell you is: Those that need to feel connected WILL NOT REACH OUT. They will not call you. They will not take you up on the “call me if you need anything”. Or “let me know if I can help”. They won’t tell you that they are sad. Lonely. Struggling. They won’t say how much they are dreading Christmas. Or how seeing the tree or a song or some triggering memory makes them hurt. They will not say anything. They will go home and cry by themselves. And you won’t know about it. If you want to make a difference, it is up to YOU to think about who may be in that place that you know and reach out to them. In your Christmas lists, please add time this week to reach out the people you know have had a big life change and may need to hear from you. Who do you know that had a break-up this year? Who do you know that lost a family member? They need you this week, likely more than usual. The “firsts” of grief are the hardest. Be there for them, even in your joy. Just caring can be enough to change the day for someone hurting. And there is no better time of year to spread love than this week.
Practice. Practice. Practice!
Recently I was asked in my pole class to do a move that I had been cleared on ages ago. I thought sure, no problem! I love that move! So I invert and I pause… ok I’m upside down now what? I literally could not remember where my hands or legs went! So what did I do? I came back out of my serpent and asked for a review! Once I got the reminder on where everything went I was golden. It all came back to me in snap… but if I had been working on that move occasionally I wouldn’t have needed that reminder! So what I learned was never stop doing the moves know! It’s so easy to nail a move and then move onto the next. Learning new moves is fun and exciting but we have to remember to keep reviewing what we already know. That way you don’t end up upside down and not sure what to do!What’s a good way to keep working on the moves you know? Come to practice! There are lots of practices at both studios. The instructors are there to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! It also never hurts to pull your card out! We all probably have tons of moves on ours that we haven’t done in ages!
Your own personal journey
“It’s your road and yours alone. others may walk it with you but no one can walk it for you” -Rumi Every single one of us is unique! We all come to the studio at a different starting point. Some of us are starting from scratch while some of us have done other things such as dance or gymnastics. The good news is Aerial Dance is for everyone! All shapes, sizes, and experience. We all progress at different rates. Some of us will pick up on a new move instantly and others it will take months to conquer and that’s ok! Although it can be difficult to not be jealous of other students who are getting moves faster that you are try to remember that your body is your own. Every single person at the studio is jealous about something someone else can do. Someone will always be stronger or more flexible than you and that is ok! The most important thing is to be happy with yourself and your journey! If you keep working hard you will be able to achieve all your goals.
I’m so sick of this war.
At Aerial Dance we strive to create a body positive culture. We celebrate what our amazing bodies can do and not what they look like. “Find your strength” because you are strong in so many ways. “Believe your beauty” because you are beautiful even when you don’t see it. As the founder, I talk all the time about loving your body as is. And I’m a total fraud. I’ve been at war with my body for the past 8 years and I’m so tired of the battle. During the Christmas Show I talked about the importance our safe place is for body image in a culture that is, frankly, mean to women. I believe the words. I am passionate about self acceptance and loving your body. And do you know what I did when I saw the show highlights video? I almost didn’t post it. I almost paid extra to have the videographers get rid of every shot of me kneeling in the finale because I hate how my stomach looked. Yup, not celebrating the epic event I just made happen. Not thinking about the seriously hard doubles tricks my body let Kelly & I do. I was angry that my body let me down and looked this “fat”. And did I get over it when I posted the video? No. I watched it once in the final version and don’t want to see it again. Because I’m embarrassed by how I look. And worse, I hate myself for it. Again. This is a pattern in my life the past 8 years and I hate this pattern but at the same time I’m not motivated or dedicated enough to actually change it. I just keep loathing myself and trying to fill that hurt with kindness in other areas. I always feel like my body is not good enough. Always. The ugly truth leading up the Annual Show is most of the instructors are battling body image and “I’m not good enough” demons. Taking the stage next to all the other instructors is a special mental challenge. My guess is many students are dealing with their own demons, too. To me, that is one of the reasons that I do the show ever year, so we all triumph over our insecurities for one day as we take the stage and are amazing.. But then seeing the pictures, I immediately criticized myself. (Again. I felt this last year. And the year before. And the year before.) The inner self talk definitely had the words lazy and the cycle of feeling not good enough starts again. So how to I see the pictures and hold on to the celebration? Maybe this is the year I’ll decide to change the cycle and end the war… I don’t work at. Not really. I’ll try something for a short time after I see a picture I don’t like and then after 8-12 weeks stop. The anger/criticism doesn’t stay strong enough to keep me motivated. Instead if just falls back into the daily battle of not being happy with my body and thinking I’m not good enough. Which does make me wonder, do I really believe it? Do I really not like my body or is it something that I am taking on that isn’t really mine to carry? If I don’t stay the course to change it, I seriously wonder if it is really my belief. So where does that leave me? Angry with myself. Once again, mad at my body. Back at war. Which is ridiculous. I KNOW this on an intellectual level. My body does amazing things for me. I’m so grateful for how it heals and let’s me keep doing the things I love. So how am I going to stop the war? Accepting her for what she is. Accept that if I want something to change I need to actually be dedicated to making a change which means shifting my mental outlook as well as my habits and if I’m not willing to do that, then I’m not really unhappy with her. Being angry at her all the time is just making us both miserable. One of my big goals is to change my internal dialog about my body and to admit where I’m willing to put in the time to make change happen and where I’m not. I am very excited for Book Club in January when we read “the Body Is Not An Apology” because this book has helped me realize the war I’ve been stuck in. That every time someone talked diet they are really talking repression! And I reject the control that my body image has on my life. I finally realize that I reject the war and I do have the power to end it by accepting. Now to turn the intellectual into actual internal feelings….
Confessions of an Extreme, Yet Not so Extreme Student!
Yup, I said it! I am extreme, but not as extreme as others! Not all extreme tricks and combos come easily to me, but it is my journey. I am not perfect by any means, nor am I the best! I am still amazing even if I am not as far as other are! I am still a baby extreme pole student and I love it! A new adventure awaits each class! Leveling Up It is that time of year when we are thinking about Term 1! How crazy is that?!?!?! I am not sure where 2019 went, but it flew by! As this term comes to a close many girls are contemplating moving up a level. If you are not sure if you are ready to level up, ask your instructor what they feel is best for your aerial journey! They know that all the ins and outs of the curriculum and what you will be ready for next. This term in a few of my extreme pole classes, we had semi private practices for students. Some of the girls who attended the practices were looking to make the transition from Advanced 2 to Extreme. They “Oooo’d” and “Ahhhh’d” and were a little terrified exclaiming, “There is no way I can do that!” They forgot that each of us have had several terms or years of class. So I am here to be real honest with you. Truth About Extreme Here is the thing ladies, we extreme girls did not learn all our tricks or build our strength over night. It has taken months and even years to get where we are in our classes! (You can and will get there too!) I will be the first to admit there are still many things that I have yet to master! I am still battling it out with Jade and any type of handspring, but the best part is that I continue to try and I work at it. I could make a list about 10 pages long on all the things I am still working on since I first started extreme pole. I could even back track that to some advanced transitions. My point of view of pole has changed a lot in the last five years. As an extreme student, I have begun to embraced the value of time. With time, all things are possible. Figuring this out sooner would have helped me so much more as an intermediate/advanced student. Being in the extreme class does not make you the best of the best. You don’t magically know all there is to know about pole. There is always something more to learn or to improve on! Extreme pole is a way to continue strengthen and deepen your pole journey to find out even more about yourself! Leveling up is one of the joys of our pole and aerial journeys, but never for get that each intermediate/advanced/extreme student started as a beginner right where many of you are. Keep working and keep loving yourself. Some day you will reach your goals! Nothing can stop you, but you! Be sure to enjoy this wild ride of an pole/aerial journey! Until Next Time, Janelle
Dance Cardio is FUN
If you have not yet taken dance cardio I highly recommend it! I do not consider myself a good dancer. I often feel awkward and clumsy. I definitely do not feel sexy when I dance. Even at my wedding many years ago people struggled to get me to dance. It’s something that has never been something I enjoyed doing. I always try to take multiple classes at Aerial Dance and there was a night where dance cardio was my only option for a second class. I took it and I was incredibly nervous! I figured I was going to do terrible. I’ll be honest I was not looking forward to it at all. Much to my surprise I had an absolute blast! On top of that it was a really good workout! Cardio is something I’m sure we all need to work on. This class is a fun way to accomplish that. It did not matter that I messed up some of the moves and I didn’t always remember what came next. I still worked hard and got sweaty and had a blast! Since then I’ve taken more dance cardio classes and enjoyed each one! The instructors break down the harder moves and even give you alternatives. Worst case if you can’t remember what to do keep moving and remember to have fun!
Tips for Surviving the Holidays
With the holidays upon us we all feel stressed with everything on our plate. We have our regular responsibilities as an adult and then there is family gatherings, Christmas shopping, decorating, baking, cards and the list goes on and on. It’s time to take back the holidays and focus on what is important to you. First step is to make sure you take care of your personal needs and respect your selfcare. It doesn’t matter what other people want, it matters what you want. If you need extra time to rest, then do it. If you need time with friend’s vs going to see family, then do it. If Christmas cards, baking or decorating is not your thing, then don’t do it. Know when to say, no and be okay with it. There is nothing more important than your own personal needs. If you don’t take care of yourself, you are no good to people around you. Second make sure to find time to move your body. I am not saying you need to go run a marathon, but it’s important to continue to move your body. Our bodies are very special, and we get one body, so take care of it. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins trigger positive feels. Another words, you will feel better about yourself and life. So just try it. Christmas is not about spending money and buying people gifts. It’s about spending time with loved ones and celebrating what matters to you. If you would like to give gifts, then okay, but it’s not worth going into debt. Buying someone a gift that they may or may not like so you can spend the next 6 months paying off credit card debt is not a wise choice. Make good choices this holiday season. This is your holiday season, so embrace it and do what makes you happy. Remember you can only control your own actions and your own feels. Focus on yourself and your needs and everything else will fall into place.
Fitness
I have struggled with my fitness since I was young. Both of my parents were stocky individuals with shorter stature. I was big into sports in high school, spurts of college, and now I try to do an exercise a day when I am not in the studio. Finding the studio wasn’t my idea, but I was coerced into attending a class. My first class kicked my rear end. I woke up the next day with sore forearms, wrists, and a bruised shin—pretty normal for aerial and pole fitness. I plan my visits to the studio around my work schedule, so I try to go four to five times a week. Aerial Dance isn’t just a place to walk into and walk out of… here you’re able to condition yourself how you see fit, mingle with your sisters, and have fun doing it all. I always found working out to be a boring routine that never had an alternative. Now that I am a member at Aerial Dance, I am not so sure I can give up what has been shown to me there. Fitness, in my mind, is about finding what you love to do and sticking to it. At one point in my life, I could have been on my high schools competitive lifting team, because I was able to squat over 400 pounds—but I was a dedicated long jumper for my school’s track team. Fitness is easy when you are confined to a building, especially when there are fitness classes offered before the sports practices. Once out to college, I had to finagle work, school, schoolwork, and sleep before my fitness schedule. I then grew bored of trying to figure out how to put my workout schedule in that mess. Fast forward four or so year from starting my freshman year of college, one of my old co-workers wanted to step out of her norm and take a few classes and asked me to join. A year and a half later I can say that the progress that I have made is next to none. I haven’t been this pleased with working out I years. The instructors at Aerial Dance have pushed me to the potential that they know I can achieve, and the same goes for all of the other individuals that walk through that door. In this past year, I have become a better version of myself, exceeding goals that I have set forth for myself. I feel as though I am more ambitious since joining Aerial. I have auditioned for the Performance Team and was placed on the Practice Squad as I needed more experience on other apparatuses other than hoop. I am also signed up for the Aerial Dance Competition Team, and I am choreographing my own routine for Comp in January. Finding the studio was probably one of the greatest things that has happened to me. I feel challenged when I am in classes, and if the exercise is too difficult, they come ready with substitutes for the selected workout. The atmosphere that is at the studio is set to include everyone. The instructors do a great job of extending their knowledge to the students so we can achieve our goals. I feel grateful for the family that has been established at the studio, we all encourage one another to reach our goals and surprise ourselves, too.
It takes a village to put on a show
This past weekend was the 10th annual show. And it was EPIC. Our women are so talented. My instructors were mindblowing. Our students were amazing. It was just such a cool show. And it took an incredible amount of work and many people behind the scenes to make it happen… First, of course, is my instructors. They get paid when they teach a student routine. But they do not get paid: to be at extra rehearsals; to answer student questions; to video the routine or write it up; to attend dress rehearsal. All of those little time commitments they do because they want our students to have success. They also do not get paid to be in the show as a performer. Not for ALL the time rehearsing as a group for our staff routines. Not for ALL the time writing and perfecting their own solo routines. The Annual show is a HUGE time commitment for the Instructors that they do because they choose to, not because they are paid. The show wouldn’t happen without them and all the time they donate to creating it. Second, our sponsors. The Show costs close to $20,000 to put on. I’m sharing that number (even though it makes me super uncomfortable to do so but my job with a blog is to educate, so sharing it is) because I think the average student thinks it is a lot lower and the company makes money on ticket sales. Nope. The show income covers the show costs – ish. For years it was a huge loss for the company that I saved months for to be able to put on. Thankfully we now, mainly, cover the show costs. And part of that is with sponsors. These are local businesses that advertise in our program. Without them we wouldn’t cover costs and there would come a time where the show needed to end. So when I said at the show to look at your program and CHOOSE to go to those businesses, I mean it. They deserve your patronage because they help make the show happen. Businesses to patronize include:AMEC Home Loans with Will Flinchum; Simple Simon Bakery; Health Matters Muscular Therapy; Epiphany Law; TC Dance; Countryside Veterinarians; The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley; Allegiant Insurance; Nakashima; V’s Skin Studio; The Shop Bar & Grille; Debbie Daanen Photography; The Sequined Gem; Kramm Mechanical; Forward Equine; The Salt Room; Life’s Journey Wellness; Sweet Cheese Loft; Elegance & Art; Brennan Hussey PT. Third, our supporting partners. These business help us put on the show. They make specific aspects of the show happen and without them we simply couldn’t: Tanners Grill & Bar has been our venue for five years and they are so good to us. They do an exemplary job at taking care of our people. They work with us on seating and food so it runs smoothly and our audience has a great time. Jeff Larson & Mitch Harrison, who I know from my work with Vic Ferrari, rent us the stage. We couldn’t do the show without it. And it is a big ask because we have to screw the poles into their stage. This sucks for them, but every year they let us do it. THANKS!!!!! Nature’s Pathways Magazine prints our tickets, posters and programs. The programs are gorgeous and bring the show to the next level. They are so supportive of Aerial Dance and the message we bring. Fourth all the people who help! When I say it takes a village, I mean it. It takes multiple car loads of stuff to get everything we need at Tanners. That means people (this year Chrissy & Olivia) to pack it up at the studio. Stuff is stored in my parents garage too, so my dad loads a car. Then after the show when we tear down every instructor and many of their partners have a role to clean up our stuff quickly. All of this is by their choice to help. And the show couldn’t happen without all the help. In many years past the set-up and take down was massive with stage poles and aerial rigs. Recently this has been less extensive with the addition of a production company and rigging. However, this year we had a reversion to the past and needed to provide people to the production company to assist in set-up/tear down because they had a booking conflict and were short staffed. Three weeks before the show I was notified I needed to provide people; I went to my team and our men stepped up. We had five different guys for set-up and another 5 for tear down who all volunteered so we could keep our show date and the production budget set even with the curveball. It’s all those little unexpecteds issues that arise that make the show very stressful to organize and me so very grateful for our community. Our extra special helpers this year include:Arnie (Kelly’s husband); Dan W (Chrissy’s partner); Brandon (Alyssa’s partner); Sean (Olivia’s partner); Scott (Sara’s partner); Paul Brusky (my dad); Dan S (Lynn’s husband); Trey (Leah’s husband); Chris (Brittyni’s partner); Zak (Amber’s husband); Haas & Rob (Leah’s friends). This Saturday was a huge success because of all the people who believe in the show and support it with their time and money. I often wonder if people have a clue how much work and time went into it on the backend so I thought I’d share a small piece of why I’m so grateful for our community in this blog. If you see anyone involved in the backend, take a second and thank them. They are the unsung heroes of the show and deserve your applause too. This year we also did a scholarship drive, thanks to an anonymous donation by a student and offering a $1,000 match! Big thanks to Steve (Janelle’s fiance) & Dawn E (a rocking student and owner of Simple Simon Bakery who was our dessert sponsor!) for going through
