If you’ve read the Harry Potter book series or watched the movies, you know that Harry went from being a misfit in his non-wizard muggle home to finding his light at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Prior to his arrival at the magical boarding school where he met his tribe, Harry roomed in a cupboard under the stairs at his aunt and uncle’s house, and was expected to draw as little attention to himself as possible. He had his physical needs met, but not much else.

I have fitness memberships at more than one location – Aerial Dance and another gym. They both serve my physical needs, but ADWI is my Hogwarts.

When I walk through the doors of my muggle gym, I am greeted with hellos from people who often don’t bother looking up to see who is walking in. Sometimes they say my name, but only after I scan my card and it comes up on their computer screen. They don’t know anything about me, and aside from being able to read their name tags, I don’t know anything about them. No complaints. It’s a nice, clean place with lots to do, and is open at convenient times. But if I skip a week, a month, a year, or never return at all, nobody but my workout buddy would ever notice.

One month I took six classes with the same instructor, and when I greeted her by name at the gym outside of class, she asked me if we had ever met. 

Over the years, I have acquired a collection of notes from my ADWI instructors. Some congratulated me on show performances, some sent support as I healed from surgery, illness, or a broken heart, and some acknowledged my perseverance or willingness to try something new. The core message was the same throughout all of them: We see you. You matter to us.

Are there times I want to fly under the radar? Sure. If I was offered Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak I wouldn’t hesitate to grab it for those occasions when I want to blend into the background and go unnoticed. But I wouldn’t want to live under it. Personal acknowledgement is what connects us to each other, and makes us feel like we belong. 

When I’ve taken a hiatus from the studio for whatever reason, upon my return not only am I greeted by name, but often given big hugs from veteran instructors and students, and asked for life updates as I get theirs. I see new faces as well, and prepare for novel adventures (some that include flying!). It’s like returning for a new year at Hogwarts!