Mental Health & MY Journey
Mental health is a huge part of the worlds population. To alleviate these feelings some, meditate, do yoga, go to the gym, what ever they can do to calm their anxieties or depression. As someone who suffers from anxiety and depression, it is amazing what pole exercise has done for my mental health! I usually shut down, and there were a few times I absolutely did not want to go to class. But, you know what? I showed up! As mentioned before, walking through those doors is magical! It is as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. All the anxieties and stress from a day’s work/daily stress in our lives are all left at the door. Someone is always saying hello, whether it another girl from class or an instructor. It makes me feel like I matter, and these women at Aerial Dance are so supportive and empowering. I think pole is sort of like a weekly distraction for me. It gets me out of my head. With having to concentrate on what I am doing, it keeps me focused, and it is the only thing that matters at that point and time. It allows me to just think about how I can improve different climbs and positions. Plus, I really enjoy the company of the other girls and instructors in the class. No matter what has or is going on in my life, pole exercise is my therapy. (I even bought a t-shirt that says POLE DANCING IS MY THERAPY) It releases all the happy hormones such as Dopamine and Serotonin. It even continues after I get home, and helps me to relax and sleep better and stay asleep longer through out the night. After the class there is always an e-mail the next day, regarding how you did in the class. Instructors point out what you were strong at for that night. That always makes me feel awesome! It is something that sticks with me for the rest of the night, and sometimes into the next morning. It is nice when you see other women lifting others up. Aerial Dance is its’ own little family, and they don’t leave anyone behind. Everyone cheers for everybody else, and wants you to succeed. Even other girls in the class will help you out and show you some tricks and tips on what helps them better do a climb or trick. All the positivity I’ve gotten and seen from everyone here, just lifts my spirits, but also calms my anxiety. I am so happy to be apart of something that is positive and helps heal. It has made a huge impact on my mood and confidence, for that I will always be grateful.
Give YOURSELF Grace
We’re often warned not to fall into the comparison trap. Everyone’s journey is different after all, so focus on your own. You see how far you have come and can be proud of that. However, what happens when you fall into that trap of comparing yourself to your previous self? Life is full of ups and downs. We’ve all had those moments where we feel we went backwards. Life got busy, you suffered a loss or health issues arose, that prevented you from being able to show up for yourself. When we finally slow down and come back into balance we’re hit with shame and guilt for letting it go on for so long. That frustration only grows stronger when you realize you can’t do what you once could. Ten months into my pole journey I was ecstatic. I was growing stronger each day, pulling off moves I never thought I could do. The studio was my happy place. My place for motivation and connection. After I had my surgery, I was excited to get back there. I missed the challenges, the friendships, the encouragement, and the success. That was until I was hit head on with the struggles I would face. I was fully prepared that physically I would not be able to do certain moves right away. However, it never occurred to me that I would struggle doing the most basic movements. Obviously, I wouldn’t be able to start where I left off, but I wasn’t even capable of doing the things I could do when I first started. Comparing myself to where I once was became mentally draining. The place for my happiness and motivation became full of frustration and struggles. When you know what you’re capable of, and mentally you are fine, it becomes frustrating when your body can’t keep up. Eventually it took a toll mentally and I wanted to give up completely. After overcoming my struggles of comparing myself, there’s one major piece of advice I have to offer: Give yourself grace. Appreciate and accept that you are where you are at. It doesn’t matter if you had a setback or why. What matters is that you keep trying. I struggled while I was still healing, then suddenly I was right back where I left off. It didn’t take me that long to get there, it happened much faster, I just had to trust I could do it. Whether you’re coming back to Aerial Dance or have never taken a class before, there are always classes being offered and a community ready to cheer you on. Why not try Intro to Pole or Intro to Aerial?
A New Journey
My journey at Aerial Dance started when a friend gave me a gift certificate last Christmas. She had started classes and loved every one she took. She knew I had grown up dancing and coaching dance and thought I would benefit from attending some classes at the studio. At the time, she gifted the certificate to me I was going through a rough period in life and was questioning everything about myself. I questioned who I thought I was and what I was doing in my life. I felt lost and that I didn’t know myself. It took me another 10 months before I worked up the courage to attend an Intro to Pole class. By that point I was going through an intense divorce. I was still questioning myself (even more). I was trying to find new outlets to not only fill my time, but explore things I had interest in but had never tried before or would’ve never tried. New and unknown wasn’t something I did- I was always the one who had to plan and figure out all outcomes to try and prevent chaos from happening. I was nervous to attend, but honestly, equally excited. I decided to take advice I always gave my dancers before they performed. I would say when they were nervous: Nerves are good, they mean you care how it turns out. So I went in. From that first session I was in love. It was new, exciting, and scary. It was uncomfortable BUT felt like it fit. Like this was something I should’ve been doing all along. I left knowing that couldn’t be the last time I do that. I felt like I had found a new friend that I clicked with. Something that was meant to be. It also made me feel like I had found a piece of me that I hadn’t met before. And after feeling lost for some time, it was just what I needed. The newness and the unknown was exciting to me after having to plan everything in life. It can be so scary to try something new. I am usually the person who overthinks and over analyzes. That often prevents me from trying (part of the reason it took me 10 months to use a gift certificate!). After coming to Aerial Dance I have realized how important it is to try new things and things that scare you. If you’re the slightest bit interested or curious about Aerial Dance- DO IT! Remember, nerves mean you care and things that scare you a little can be some of the best things that happen to you in life! Start your journey with Intro to Pole or Intro to Aerial and see what classes at Aerial Dance are all about!
Thief of Joy
We have all heard the phrase growing up “comparison is the thief of joy”; and it still applies as an adult. You see, I have never truly been what others have considered to be athletically talented. Sure, I can pick up a game of volleyball or basketball, but I sure wasn’t going to be a Varsity starter! Except, I could have been if it weren’t for my own thoughts. You see, I was constantly comparing myself to others; peers, professional athletes, my coaches, etc. I was never perfect, therefore I wasn’t good at all. This stole every ounce of my joy and I have felt this throughout my journey at Aerial Dance as well. So now what? Comparison steals your joy, you have recognized it, and you are in a standstill. Stop, and take a minute to be mindful of your environment. As so many of my sisters have written before me, our studio is uplifting, empowering and helps you to embrace all of your strengths. It is so easy for us to see the beauty and power that each other holds, it is time to look in all of those mirrors, and see them in yourself as well. Easier said than done, I know. I thought about this a lot this term as my anxiety and self-doubt started to creep in, and I wanted to share a few tips that got me through. First of all, find a studio sister who can hype you up! Thankfully my best friend and I are able to take classes together so I have a built-in studio sister. I have also gained so many sisters throughout my journey, and lean on them when I am feeling down. Second, lean on your instructors! If you are feeling like you aren’t sure of a move due to confidence, skill level or memory, TELL THEM! They are here to help, and want to see you succeed. And last, be your own hype man! I started a playlist simply for my drive to class and it makes me feel like the queen I am! Sure, comparison can be the thief of joy, but there is so much the studio offers to support you through those struggles. Remember to utilize the relationships you have built in the studio with other students and your instructors! Rising above the need to compare yourself is tough, but you my dear, are so much stronger than that. Come be a part of a community! Try Intro to Pole or sign up for a Beginner Pole Term today!
Bonus Benefits of Aerial
I want to share my experience on unexpected benefits along my journey. When I started my journey with Aerial Dance I was shy and timid. It didn’t take long after I started to feel like like I belonged to a supportive family. I could see that this was a true sisterhood. I made friends quickly and I have connected with several of these girls on Facebook and other platforms. It’s nice to interact and get to know other adult women who share similar interests as me. My confidence levels rose quickly just from the girls I did pole with. Everyone is so supportive and kind. When you feel like you are not growing or getting anywhere with progress they are there to encourage and give pointers. We help each other, like a team. You can’t ask for a better support network. Aerial Dance has also helped me grow strength and confidence. Never did I imagine that I would be able to be as strong as I have become whilst doing pole. I remember the first time I saw I had triceps that popped. I was in a conditioning class with Instructor Olivia. She was working me hard because we were just one-on-one for that class. She was full of energy and pushing me to my fullest potential. I was on the ground doing some form of push-ups and she complimented my triceps. I got so excited I swear I felt invincible. After, I remember showing my family with a sense of accomplishment. I don’t know if I would have noticed without her pointing it out, but I am so grateful she did. I felt very proud and motivated. Thank you to all of the instructors for never giving up on us and always pushing us the way we need to be. Join our community and gain, strength, confidence, and meet amazing people along the way!Try Intro to Pole or Intro to Aerial and see what classes are all about!
Women Lifting Up Women
For a lot of us Aerial Dance is a sanctuary. It is my happy place. It’s my me time. Time for me to get away from day to day stress from life and just enjoy myself. The women that run, instruct, and attend classes are some of the most uplifting and positive people I’ve ever met in my entire life. In my opinion, normal gyms are intimidating (I’m not trying to say gyms are bad, but I’ve learned that they are not for me). If you are like me, when I’d go to the gym I’d feel like people are judging me or shaming my body size. Aerial Dance is the exact opposite. I have never felt more accepted and comfortable working out in front of people. I’ve never had people cheer me on even for what I feel sometimes are the simplest things. Aerial Dance truly is a sanctuary for women. When you walk in the doors, you can feel the weight of the world melt away. You can lose yourself in the beauty of the aerial arts. Our instructors care so much about each one of us and they all work so much harder than we realize to keep us safe. They make sure they have new things to teach us. I feel beyond special when walking through the door. I feel like I belong. My self confidence can be quite lacking, but because of the uplifting and empowering environment I have become more confident in my body than I ever thought I could be. When I first started coming, I’d see the women working out in tiny shorts and a sports bra. I’d think to myself “there’s absolutely no way I’d ever do that. I’m too fat, my legs are gross, I have too much cellulite, stretch marks. My body just isn’t good enough for that!” I now wear the little booty shorts and sports bra. I’ve become so much happier in my own body even if it isn’t the media’s interpretation of beautiful. I AM beautiful and the women at Aerial Dance have helped me learn to love my body, even if they didn’t realize it. Join our sanctuary and celebrate what your body can do! Try a Intro to Pole or Intro to Aerial class!
Learning to Find My Flow
Flow was not my favorite class. Dancing and movement did not feel natural. To be honest, it still doesn’t feel natural. I started taking them regularly because I hated them and they were very unnatural for me. The idea of “if its yours, you can touch it” felt incredibly uncomfortable for me. What do I touch? What would that look like? How am I supposed to move my hands and also my feet and maybe do a move or two? It was intimidating. My first few flows I definitely “just kept moving” during the warm up/cool down free dance. At times I wish I had a video of those early free dances but that’s for another time. After a few flows an instructor said to close our eyes during the free dance. This was game changer. It was a slow game changer, but a game changer all the same. There was a freedom that came with it. An openness. There was probably still a lot of “just keep moving” going on, but at least it finally didn’t feel uncomfortable. It felt like a possibility. It gave me the option to just try movement in my body without watching myself or thinking about everyone else watching me. It allowed me the confidence to try moves or transitions I was unsure would work. If I didn’t know how something would look, it didn’t matter because no one would see it. I could simply move the way my body wanted to move. About two and a half years into my pole journey and I’m just now starting to explore the “touch it if it’s yours” concept. But ladies, I will say, the little I have explored it, it is empowering. It’s simply an expansion of just letting my body move the way it wants. It is also a little bit of self awareness and love rolled into it. Do we really know what our body feels like under our own hands? Have we traced our own curves? I have started and I think it has only improved my body awareness. Another thing that has changed is I don’t always close my eyes anymore. Sometimes I like looking in the mirror. Wait…what did I just say?!? That’s right, sometimes I watch myself dance. I watch what the transitions look like. Sometimes I like what I see in the mirror. I also started recording some of my free dances. Want to know what I learned from that? I learned that I do some kind of cool transitions when I just move my body. So, here we are, 2.5 years later and flow is now one of my favorite classes. It’s one of the classes that has taught me the most. Now, the decision is to try focusing on climbs and inverts or pole spins… If you’re curious about Pole Flow, drop into a class or sign up using your Fitness or Elite Memberships!
Liking Who I See in the Mirror
I have always struggled with my body image my entire life. I have always been jealous of those who were able to get motivated with health and fitness and actually follow through with it. I always seemed to lose interest right away and never have been able to actually stick with anything for a long period of time. I love that with Aerial Dance I never find myself bored. It is very challenging, but it is super rewarding at the same time! I feel so empowered and strong when I am able to do a move that I never had thought I would be able to do. The more I find myself practicing, the better I am getting and I am so much more confident than I have ever been before! I am starting to actually love the way my body looks and I am feeling like I have more muscles than I even thought I would be able to work up to having. The atmosphere is very laid back, but still motivating at the same time. They push you do to better but in a fun way where you actually want to and feel supported. I especially love the pole classes. They are probably my absolute favorite because I feel sexy and strong now! I am able to show my confidence and have become a new level of motivated to do so. I don’t feel ashamed or nervous when I go to classes anymore. The instructors know how to show you the proper warm ups and cool downs to help prevent injury while building strength. They are very well educated on how to stretch and how to make sure you ease into your routine in a way that your body can handle. I love the instructors! They really teach you at your own pace and make sure you only do what you can handle. They are very fun to be around and always encouraging you to push yourself if they think it is something that you are capable of. Thank you for showing me a new version of myself I did not think I would ever see. I am so thankful for it every day and can’t wait to learn more along the way! Join in on the fun at Intro to Pole or Intro to Aerial!
My Body is NOT My Offering
“Your body is not your offering.” Such a profound and truthful statement…found in the Aerial Dance bathroom. Prior to my membership at Aerial Dance, this thought had never occurred to me – rather I thought the exact opposite. It felt as though my body was my only offering. And having grown up feeling like my body didn’t look how it “should,” I felt as though I never had enough to offer. For reference, I grew up in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. This was a time where women such as Paris Hilton, the Olsen twins, and Mischa Barton ruled mainstream media and were celebrated for one thing – their thinness. I remember seeing critiques of other bodies (including women who had just pushed a tiny human out of their wombs) with headlines like “WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?!” Women with beautiful, strong bodies like P!nk were often called manly and not appealing to look at. This ideology has trickled into quite literally every decision I made as a teenager, and even makes its way into my life now. I felt that since I was always the chubby friend, that I had to go out of my way to make up for it in other ways. This meant that I always had excellent grades, and tried to make myself part of every organization at school. I always felt that if I was fat I had to have as many redeeming qualities as I could. This is absolute bullsh*t. Sorry, but it’s true. First of all, my body has done (and is continuing to do) incredible things. It survived near death as a literal infant. It has climbed mountains in Arizona, swam in oceans in Florida, survived COVID-19, and now allows me to suspend myself by nothing but fabrics hanging from the ceiling. Being a student at Aerial Dance has allowed me to see so many unfiltered, unedited bodies in real life and appreciate each and every one of them. Some of the strongest women I know have cellulite, and some of the thinnest women I know have stretch marks. All of the things that I once was indoctrinated to believe are flaws are completely arbitrary and meaningless. I now try to measure my body not by how it looks, or the numbers I see on the scale, but what incredible feats it accomplishes for me. Every. Single. Day. Come celebrate what your body can do! Try Intro to Pole or Intro to Aerial and start your journey!
Show Up for Yourself
In joining the sport of aerial dance, I had never expected myself to stick with it. I had found myself always wanting to try new things and always going through new hobbies, but never being able to commit to one and stick with it long enough to actually see progress. When I started with Aerial Dance, I knew it was something I would actually be able to see myself doing long term when I found myself excited to go to class. I would look forward to it as a part of my day to day life. I found myself taking better care of myself because I needed to have more energy for class. I also found myself to be eating healthier, setting a more strict sleep schedule, and taking time out of my day to exercise so I could keep in shape to get the most out of classes. I love being able to go to a place that makes me feel welcome and motivated to always do my best, even on days when it can be hard. Finding myself has been a journey in itself, but Aerial Dance has really opened my eyes to finding the inner me and realizing it is okay to take a moment for yourself and to relax. Often, I find myself so caught up in work and day to day life I find it hard to take time for myself. During classes that is my time to focus on what helps me and what I need to better myself physically and mentally. There is nothing more relaxing than being able to hang upside down with music in the background and stretching when class is over to make sure you get the proper warm up and cool down. I love being able to come to a place where I am excited to be and where I am enthusiastic about seeing myself progress. There is something about a lifestyle change that you cannot really put into words of how it really makes you feel. I can honestly say I have more energy than I have had in years and I feel stronger than I ever have. I am so excited to be able to continue to see myself progress through my journey and see the strength I can gain over the course of time! Thank you for bringing the real me back and encouraging me every step of the way! If you’ve been interested in trying something new, come take a class at Aerial Dance!Not sure what to try? Check out our Intro to Pole and Intro to Aerial classes!
