Our last featured instructor in this Q&A series is Jasmine, the 27 year old dog mom to a yorkiepoo named Minnie Mouse. She came to Aerial Dance when she was looking for a new hobby and immediately fell in love! Read more about Jasmine’s journey below. 

Q: Tell us about the first class you took. What was it like?

A: I was so nervous! I remember walking up to the studio doors and thinking “it’s not too late to back out”. I muscled up the courage to keep walking, and immediately felt so welcomed by everyone. My first class left me feeling challenged, but so excited and eager for the next one!

Q: What advice would you give to women who feel too intimidated to start?

Trust yourself, you’re more capable than you think. You don’t need to be strong or experienced to start, that strength is something you build along the way. When I first began aerial, I had absolutely no experience. The most important step is simply giving yourself the chance to try. You will surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.

Q: How do you stay personally motivated to train?

A: I stay motivated by having my own training schedule and “goal” moves! I take part in shows & competitions as well to make sure I still have something in the future to work for.

Q: How do you handle days when your own progress is slow?

A: I make sure to still show up for my personal training days , but I just shift the focus to flexibility and conditioning. Being in the (studio) space allows me to still push for progress even if it’s slow at the time.

Q: Do you ever get hit with imposter syndrome? If so, how do you handle it?

A: ALL the time! I didn’t grow up in sports or dance, so there are definitely moments where I feel like an imposter or question if I’m “qualified” enough. When those thoughts creep in, I remind myself that everyone’s journey is different. I also remind myself that my body was created on purpose, for a purpose, and we all move in our own unique way. That perspective helps me focus less on comparison and more on continuing to grow and share what I love.

Q: What makes the ADWI community special to you?

I found ADWI during a really challenging time in my life, and the community created such a safe and supportive space for me. No matter what is going on outside the studio, I always leave with a smile on my face. There’s something special about being surrounded by people who uplift each other, celebrate progress, and encourage one another to keep growing/ going.

Q: What do you hope students take away from your classes?

A: I hope students leave my class feeling strong, confident, and proud of what their bodies are capable of. My biggest goal for every class is to create a class where students feel supported , challenged and excited to work on / try new things!

Q: Please share a favorite class or performance memory.

A: My favorite performance memory was in the most recent annual show when I performed a duet with instructor Meg. Creating the routine and meshing our ideas, strengths and weaknesses created so much laughter on and off stage!

Q: If you had a walk-up song, what would it be?

A: Unstoppable by Sia!