Aerial dance is a work out. That statement is not a surprise to most. Another unsurprising statement is telling someone aerial dance is a full body workout. Most people eagerly agree and discuss the strength the tricks take. Some even understand the dedication and persistence it takes. The concept that caught me off guard in the beginning of my aerial journey and I often catch people off guard when I tell them, is how much aerial dance works your brain, your courage, your emotional stability, your self worth, and your self respect, to name only a few.
The list of things aerial dance works is truly endless. It is all encompassing and there are so many words to describe the growth I have witnessed in both myself and other women. Life happens. And life can be tough. Many women who walk through the doors of the studio, each and every day, are struggling with something outside of the studio, and at times they are big things to be struggling with.
I think we can agree, part of what is at the core of how we present ourselves is our confidence. Specifically, our confidence in ourselves and our abilities. It is hard work to be confident in who you are and every decision you make. It is hard work finding who you are and believing in that person. There is not one thing I have done at the studio, that did not include some level of trusting and believing in myself, of having confidence in myself. The confidence might have been dismal, the confidence might have in fact been that I would survive the fall. But there was confidence nonetheless, and where there is confidence there is courage. Courage to do hard things. Courage to try and fail. Courage to work on the hard things. With each try of a new trick, with each achievement of a new ability my confidence has grown and I have watched the same happen to countless other women.
It is one heck of a workout to question belief systems you have been indoctrinated with or concepts that go against societal norms. And yet, conversations at the studio often fall into these categories. Not necessarily conversations about questioning but conversations about the growth that came with it. Conversations about the way peoples’ lives have changed and continue to because of choices being made. Often times, choices being made by women, myself included, who have grown in strength since becoming an aerialist. Women who have found confidence they didn’t know they had. Women who have found body awareness, which led to self awareness. Women who have learned to show up for themselves and that showing up is enough.
Aerial Dance truly provides an amazing full body workout, all encompassing, mind, body, and soul. The people in the sisterhood that is Aerial Dance are there to support and help you work up the strength in all of the ways you need, not only in your physical body.