We trust them to keep us safe and frequently to lift our butts. We get to see them at the studio. We often share much of our lives with them; frequently entrusting them with our secrets and life happenings. Who are these magical creatures I speak of? They are the instructors who make up Aerial Dance. And now, you get to learn a little more about them as we do a “Meet the Instructor” series.
In this addition of “Meet the Instructor,” you will get to learn a little more about the booty shaking hype queen, Kiana. Kiana took her first pole class in September 2019 and joined the instructor team in 2021. Being someone who has loved dance her entire life, Kiana joined Aerial Dance after moving to Wisconsin and wanting to make new friends.
While many people find their inspiration in instructors or widely known Aerial Artists out in the world, Kiana finds the most inspiration from the students. She shared “you all bring so much knowledge, experience, and energy to class. I’m constantly in awe of how strong, physically and mentally, you are. I love how dance and fitness bring such a diverse group of people together, which inspires me to be a better instructor and aerialist.” (I know this is about Kiana, however, as a side note, I agree with Kiana and am regularly inspired and in awe of the amazing people who walk through the doors of Aerial Dance.”
Being the hype queen she is, Kiana’s favorite class to teach is Beginner Pole. She says “I love seeing students discover their strength and confidence.” In general Kiana shared her favorite part of being an instructor is being able to support the students through their fitness journeys; meeting all of us and learning from us as well. Kiana says the most surprising aspects of being an instructor are how much she has learned while on her teaching journey and how she will be able to use the skills she has and is learning in a future career.
Having started at Aerial dance with “NO upper body strength” Kiana was very surprised she was able to do aerial as she never would have thought she could. The versatility of an outside leg hang places it on the top of her favorites list. And another one of her favorite moves is a move she worked on and worked on and finally was able to get after committing to it, is the fish flop. Like many moves I have attempted, Kiana shares she was more scared than anything. And while we are talking about moves, if Kiana were to pick a move to never do again, it would be flag.
To prepare herself for class, Kiana has a light snack before heading to the studio. She then runs through the class plan and blasts her playlist. Sharing “If you catch me on I-41 on my way to the studio, I’m usually dancing to get my energy up!” If Kiana were to describe her style as an instructor, she says she loves incorporating science and helping students understand movement pathways. Adding in she is also loud, very loud. The aerial move Kiana feels she can describe herself as is, embrace, because it reminds her of love. Loving fiercely and caring for those around her is something Kiana prides herself in. Kiana enjoys traveling and shared her favorite place to travel is the Galapagos Islands.
Being the dancing queen she is, Kiana will dance to anything she self proclaims she will “bulldoze the crowd to get to the dance floor” if Gasolina by Daddy Yankee starts playing. If you haven’t signed up for a Kiana class, especially a dance cardio, you are missing out on a dancing experience you didn’t know you needed in your life.
