Mood Boosting Ability!
I don’t know what it is but going to Aerial Dance really does help improve my mood. I was having a semi stressful day at work last week, it wasn’t too chaotic or anything luckily but it was just a blah kind of day, and I remember just being like “I can’t wait to go to class tonight” and it helped motivate me to get through the rest of my day because I was looking forward to the studio so much. I was having an okay day at work, not that it was bad or anything, I opened the app and scrolled to see what classes were being offered that night and found some that I was able to take, an aerial class and a dance cardio class. I signed up for some classes later in the evening and I was really excited for them and it really was a big mood booster for me. It made me excited for the evening and it almost gave me like a reset on the day to be able to focus on my work. Going to the studio was my motivation to get my work done and get to the end of the day so I could get to the studio. When I got to the studio that night, I wasn’t disappointed in my choices either. The classes I took were fun, engaging and so uplifting with the other women in class. I think a lot of us had days where someone asks us “How’s it going” and your response is something like “Well I’m here” and a lot of times that is the biggest part of the battle and that’s just showing up. I’ve had plenty of days like that showing up to the studio, not being in the best of moods but showing up cause I want to keep improving at this sport. But it’s also fun to have days like this where you’re excited to go, you’re excited to play because you know you’re going to have a good time! While I wish every time I signed up for classes, it improved my mood as much as it did this one day, I know that’s not entirely possible. But I know that every time I leave the studio, I’m always leaving it in a better mood than when I entered. I’m so grateful for the instructors and the other students and how much we just lift each other up. We can be weird around each other, we can yell because we’re so excited and we can just be ourselves. Even if we’re having a blah kind of day, this space always has a warm welcome that I appreciate.
Pole Kisses (aka Bruises)
When you’ve been doing pole for so long, you think that you just stop bruising, because your body is just used to being thrown at a metal object or doing the same thing over and over that you’re just desensitized from it. But then you take a class and do a different variation of a move, or you find a new grip point on your body and then the next day you’re finding new bruises in spots you didn’t know you could bruise. It’s always a fun game after a class that you’re sore from guessing where your bruises are going to be or from guessing which moves are gonna leave a sore spot on you tomorrow. Looking back, I remember when I first started pole, my legs were covered in bruises because of the new grip points, shoving my shins into the pole to climb, and just desensitizing my thighs from the pole and sitting or doing superman. I remember it being so painful, but when you keep doing it over and over again, it starts to hurt less, and less and then one day you’re in a sit and it doesn’t hurt, or you get into superman and you realize you can hold for longer than a millisecond! That is a huge accomplishment in itself! And before you realize it, your thighs aren’t bruising as much either. Our bodies are weird but so cool like that. I took a spins class recently and while it was a really fun class, it was also pretty challenging. Did a lot of forearm related moves and while I didn’t hate it, I forgot how much I don’t train my arms and grip points as much as my legs. I found a solid bruise close to my armpit, another one on my bicep, and another on the back of my forearm. But when I was in class, I knew that I was going to be sore and instead of being upset I was going to have bruises, I was excited! Excited to show them off at work the next day, excited to remember what I learned from class and also now I’m determined to try those moves again so I can desensitize those areas for the future. I’m not sure when I started to enjoy bruises, but something switched in my pole journey where I look at them as a form of accomplishment, proving I worked hard and it gives me a sense of determination to do what I did again. Now that doesn’t mean when I don’t bruise I’m not as excited because every class is just as hard and I sweat so hard in every class because I know I’m working just as hard, it’s just that my body is a little more used to what I’m doing versus other moves. I just get excited when I receive a little pole kiss from class.
A Little Self Confidence
When talking about confidence there’s a lot of things that go into that. We all know someone who just exudes confidence and radiates good energy. Some people learn confidence, others it just comes naturally to them and there are some of us who are still actively working on our self confidence. For me, it’s not something that comes naturally and while I have things that I’m good at and am confident doing, it doesn’t always mean I feel confident doing them. I’ve been taking pole classes with Aerial for over 4 years now and there are still days when I have no idea what’s going on or what to do with my body. I’m not gonna lie, there are some intermediate or advanced 1 moves that I still struggle with or don’t remember the names of. When I look back to when I first started at Aerial versus now, I can tell that my confidence has gotten better and that I’m not as afraid as I used to be. But I still have days when moves aren’t hitting, or my grip is bad, or my brain just isn’t fully processing the combo or moves on the board and it ruins my mood a bit. It does make class more of a struggle sometimes, but the instructors are always so helpful and patient and even my classmates have helped out in the past trying to explain things. Some days, if I’m really struggling, I’ll admit that I will just give up and move onto something else that I know I can do, because I want a win for that class, even if it’s something I’ve done a hundred times before. I am very grateful to our instructors though and them believing in us even when we think we can’t. I’m someone who needs a little extra push on those days I may be struggling, from someone who knows that I can do what they’re asking. I’m just in my own head about it and tell myself I can’t, but they know that I can do it! We’re all each other’s advocates at the studio, and when we’re all cheering each other on each class, it helps boost that self-confidence up just a little more than before. I will always be grateful to the instructors for pushing me and believing in me and being an extra support system when I need it. You may not think the instructors know what you’re capable of, but I can promise you that they do! You are more capable than you think you are, you are strong and you are a bad-a$$ woman who can do anything she sets her mind to!
Working It All
Aerial dance is a work out. That statement is not a surprise to most. Another unsurprising statement is telling someone aerial dance is a full body workout. Most people eagerly agree and discuss the strength the tricks take. Some even understand the dedication and persistence it takes. The concept that caught me off guard in the beginning of my aerial journey and I often catch people off guard when I tell them, is how much aerial dance works your brain, your courage, your emotional stability, your self worth, and your self respect, to name only a few. The list of things aerial dance works is truly endless. It is all encompassing and there are so many words to describe the growth I have witnessed in both myself and other women. Life happens. And life can be tough. Many women who walk through the doors of the studio, each and every day, are struggling with something outside of the studio, and at times they are big things to be struggling with. I think we can agree, part of what is at the core of how we present ourselves is our confidence. Specifically, our confidence in ourselves and our abilities. It is hard work to be confident in who you are and every decision you make. It is hard work finding who you are and believing in that person. There is not one thing I have done at the studio, that did not include some level of trusting and believing in myself, of having confidence in myself. The confidence might have been dismal, the confidence might have in fact been that I would survive the fall. But there was confidence nonetheless, and where there is confidence there is courage. Courage to do hard things. Courage to try and fail. Courage to work on the hard things. With each try of a new trick, with each achievement of a new ability my confidence has grown and I have watched the same happen to countless other women. It is one heck of a workout to question belief systems you have been indoctrinated with or concepts that go against societal norms. And yet, conversations at the studio often fall into these categories. Not necessarily conversations about questioning but conversations about the growth that came with it. Conversations about the way peoples’ lives have changed and continue to because of choices being made. Often times, choices being made by women, myself included, who have grown in strength since becoming an aerialist. Women who have found confidence they didn’t know they had. Women who have found body awareness, which led to self awareness. Women who have learned to show up for themselves and that showing up is enough. Aerial Dance truly provides an amazing full body workout, all encompassing, mind, body, and soul. The people in the sisterhood that is Aerial Dance are there to support and help you work up the strength in all of the ways you need, not only in your physical body.
Dancing to a Better Mood
So it’s been a pretty stressful time for me lately. I have a lot going on at the moment and while a lot of it is self inflicted, it still doesn’t diminish the fact that I’m stressed and a little miserable. Going to the studio usually makes me feel better but lately it’s been feeling like a chore because I don’t want to miss my classes or waste my money. But there was one particular day where I was feeling particularly overwhelmed with everything coming up. I had just gotten done with a class and one of the girls said I should take dance cardio with them after. I was hesitant of course because I had so much else to do and could always do a dance cardio class another time. I ended up staying for that class, I was already at the studio, what’s one more hour, right? Well I’m so glad that I ended up staying because that dance cardio class really changed my entire mood. I was laughing and smiling the entire time and I’m so glad I ended up staying! I love to dance in general and dance cardio is one of my favorite classes to take. The instructors taught a new routine, and while it kicked my butt, it was so fun to learn! Our instructors really do an amazing job of keeping the mood fun and playful! Not only was I getting a good workout in, I was releasing the stressors from that day, I was able to just check out of my own head and just focus on the routines and music instead. It was nice to be able to zone out during the slower songs and just follow along and also use my brain to keep working at some of the tougher ones too! I’m really glad and grateful I ended up staying because it changed how my night went. Sure, my life was still stressful but I left that class in a better mindset and more positive outlook on my upcoming week. I know things will work themselves out, I know I’ll complete my tasks, and going to the studio doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It’s a place to have fun and turn your brain off from the outside world and just focus on you and practicing your skills. So when life feels a little stressful, just do a little dance or do something that makes you happy, even if it’s just for a brief moment.
Embrace the Fear
Embracing our fears is a common feat to do at Aerial Dance, though it might not always seem like it. We can joke about being scared to try a move or performing on stage, but fear can also be a great motivator. We do badass things all the time when we’re in class but that doesn’t mean fear can’t creep in when you’re high up on the pole or holding yourself with fabrics. The first time I walked into Aerial Dance, I was scared because I had no idea what to expect. I was worried about if I was wearing the right clothes, if I could even hold my body up on the pole, I was worried what the other girls could also do in class. Those fears were quickly squashed though, because after that first class I couldn’t wait to come back for more! It takes a lot of courage to even start a class at Aerial, you took the time to research if this is something you wanted to do, probably looked at their social media pages, their website even or maybe you just showed up and wanted to sign up. There are women of all ages, and different backgrounds at Aerial, that I can see how it can be intimidating. Plus you’re starting something completely new at an age that’s possibly later in life than you thought. Some women start at the studio while still in college and others start when they’re in their 30s, 40s, 60s even! The studio never tells you that you’re too old to start or don’t have enough “dance” background, they’re open to anyone and everyone who walks through that door because we want to empower women to be able to do what they want no matter their background. Embracing the fear in class is something that propels us forward. It takes courage to wear less clothing in class if you’re taking a pole class. It takes courage to invert upside down on any apparatus. It takes courage to move up a level and start trying new things again. I remember when I started in my first advanced level classes, that I wasn’t sure if I was even ready for it and inverting for the first time was scary but also exhilarating. There are times when it’s tough, but I have to remind myself that what we’re doing is already hard to begin with, but all of the instructors, all of my classmates are some of my biggest cheerleaders and without all of them, I couldn’t be doing what I’m doing. I’m extremely grateful for the support system that’s been created at Aerial and the constant uplifting attitude and support everyone has for each other.
Appreciate your Body…ly Functions
This one might end up being a little weird, but this brings a smile to my face when I think about it. I love our studio and the people in. The instructors, the students, everyone has such unique backstories or talents, some people are extremely flexible and others have some mad crochet skills! What I love is that we are free to be ourselves and it’s a safe space to be who you are and not feel judged. We celebrate each other and our wins in pole or in aerial classes, continually cheering each other on! We also know how to enjoy a really good burp. While the studio is a great safe space, I also love how unhinged some of us can be, in the best way possible! The loads of different conversations you could end up having in each class just depending on the day you’ve had or the instructor you have makes going to the studio just that more fun on top of everything else! Depending on when and where you’ve taken classes, you’ve most likely gotten into some sort of conversation either about your body or it’s functions. I’m not just talking about looks or being sore, I’m talking about weird bodily functions, past medical experiences, or things you thought were normal only to find that maybe it wasn’t based on conversation with the others in class, but there’s still no judgment for it. The thing is, we’re all so honest in these conversations, because we trust the people around us. Some people may have gone through something similar or are a nurse or just know an absurd amount of random knowledge! There’s something just so freeing about talking about it with other people who are willing to listen or you know have gone through something similar. It brings us closer together as a studio and as people and I love that about us all. Sometimes all it takes to break the ice is a good burp from someone who isn’t afraid to hold it in. Sometimes someone accidentally farts (or queefs), because let’s be honest, some moves just really open you up down there, and there is no shame in that. But it all brings us closer, whether it just makes someone laugh or sparks a conversation. We’re all here to have a good time, learn together, work out and maybe even find new friends.
