Several years ago I was an avid gym goer. I can’t say I really enjoyed hitting the gym, but I had finally gotten into a routine of getting to the gym regularly and working on strength training and cardio. Then one day I pulled out my back muscle. After recovering months later I could get back into the routine of going to the gym. All the motivation I had worked up over the years was lost and I couldn’t seem to get it back.

One day I asked myself: what do I enjoy doing that could get me back into physical activity? Dance is what popped into my head. Dance has always been an important part of my life. I grew up dancing and dance was still part of my life through my children, coaching dance at school, watching dance performances and enjoying dancing at concerts. I just hadn’t taken a dance class myself in over 15 years. 

I did some searching online and this is when I came across Aerial Dance. I started my journey at Aerial by taking pole classes. Not only did pole exercise get me involved in physical activity, but it gave me the “guns” in my arms that I never got through years of weight lifting. 

The journey through pole exercise has been transformative. I’ve learned so much more about my body and the capabilities I have. I have faced and conquered physical challenges I would have never anticipated and I mastered intricate moves I would have never imagined possible. Not only did this journey challenge me physically, but also mentally. There have been times of frustration and I doubted my abilities, but with perseverance I have been able to push past my limits. Every challenge that I pushed through became a stepping stone in my growing strength and determination. The sense of accomplishment has been so empowering and inspires me to continue to push further and find new challenges.

The challenge and creativity of aerial dance has made working out enjoyable again, and in ways I could have never imagined. When you are doing the things you love it doesn’t feel like work. When you can find something you genuinely love it can transform your approach to physical activity and bring joy into the process. The unique challenges and creativity involved in pole exercise has encouraged me to embrace a more holistic view of fitness, where the focus extends beyond the traditional ways.