Eleanor Roosevelt once said “Do one thing every day that scares you”, and Aerial Dance makes it easy to do just that. While stepping foot into the studio alone was scary enough for me, I found a multitude of new moves, tricks, apparatuses and classes to try that would challenge me both physically and mentally (the latter of which being harder to overcome). I finished beginner pole class and to my surprise, signed up for intermediate. While in intermediate I noticed I was feeling more confident, but I had an underlying feeling that I needed to step out of my comfort zone and do more.
Admittedly, I had fear in my heart, but I signed up for a few different classes. The first was dance cardio and LET. ME. TELL. YOU. I have never had so much fun working out! I get to dance to my favorite jams and it makes me sweat and burn calories? Yes, please! Sign. me. Up! Instructor Kiana made everyone feel like a dancing queen and really kept the energy in the room up for everyone.
The second class I curbed my fear for was hammock; what a beautiful class that was. While my hands didn’t always want to grip the fabric, I felt like a Grecian goddess as I climbed, laid back, and twirled around. However, the end of class was by far the most relaxing experience I have ever had. Two words for you; bat cave. Please, give this experience a try if only for the bat cave, you won’t regret it!
Next was silks, and I wasn’t sure I felt comfortable letting two pieces of fabric hold my weight from the ceiling. Turns out silk is pretty strong, and so am I. I learned how to use a variety of different muscles I didn’t even know I had, but I also learned that believing in my abilities was getting me much further than any of my muscles could.
Finally, I tried aerial yoga and boy oh boy was I not ready for that class! My body was stretched in so many different ways and I was in positions that were new to me. However, I truly needed these stretches and the quiet space that yoga offered. I had to remind myself that my body and my journey were unique to me, and comparing myself to others was only going to set me back. Focusing on myself really helped me to stay in the moment.
At this point in my journey I am now in advanced 1 pole and I have inverted; something I swore I would never do. Each class I am slightly terrified of the inverts my instructors are asking me to do, but I remember the quote from above and I give it a shot. This has truly propelled me forward in my journey, both in studio and out. What fear will you face today?
Try something new today! We offer Intro to Pole and Intro to Aerial as a great start to your aerial journey!