Soaring Beyond the Lab

How did you first get into aerial arts, and what drew you to it? Here

I took my niece to a trampoline park where they had aerial silks hanging up to play on. I tried them and decided to look for local aerial classes. I started taking classes towards the end of 2022 and haven’t stopped! The feeling of being in the air is unlike anything else! My local studio is Gravity Aerial Arts.

What type(s) of aerial do you practice, and what do you enjoy most about them?

My main focus is aerial silks (also called fabric). I love the fluidity of the fabric and how it moves around my body when performing. I also enjoy aerial sling (or hammock) when I want to be more secure in the air or just for a different feel altogether.

What’s the most challenging skill or routine you’ve worked on—and what did it teach you?

I consistently feel challenged with my aerial arts, but that’s a good thing! I am constantly progressing towards getting better and trying harder things. One of the challenges with aerials is to consistently show up to classes. Also, I am not the biggest fan of heights, which you probably wouldn’t think, so often I am challenged by my own fear. However, with fear comes the bravery to still push and do the scary thing anyway!

What does a typical “researcher by day, aerialist by night” day look like for you?

During the day I see participants in our clinic, work on data and follow a tight protocol for the studies I work on. By night, I am free from the rigidness of work and can explore my apparatus with no bounds. I train aerial 3-4 days/week in the evenings and weekends. When training my brain stops processing the world around me and focuses solely on what is in front of me. 

What advice would you give to colleagues who want to explore a creative or physical hobby?

Just do it! Try the thing that may be scary! You never know what could come from trying something new, which is exactly what happened to me. I always say everyone should try aerial arts once in their life so they can feel true weightlessness when the apparatus is holding you in the air. Aerial is for everyone, regardless of gender, body shape, or strength.

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What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about aerial arts?

Aerial is hard, but it is also SO much fun and exhilarating. Anyone can do aerials regardless of strength or flexibility. I had zero background in this form of exercise and hated going to the gym. I had no strength when I started, but as I continued, I gained the strength and learned how to use my body in ways I never have before. 

It also awakens the creative part of yourself. There is no “right” way to move, the exploration of movement is what makes this type of art so special and unique.

Most people often think aerialists have no fear, which is not true! We just work with and push past the fear to achieve the things outsiders see. I will often sit in the air for a couple of minutes convincing myself to do the thing before I commit!

How do you explain what you do at night to colleagues who only know you from your research role?

I typically say I dance in the air for fun and do scary drops to make people gasp, then I show videos to explain! 

Where can people see you perform?

Performances are random throughout the year! I typically perform with my studio, Gravity Aerial Arts once/twice a year for their professional productions. I will also be performing in a fundraiser this August (date tbd) and will be performing in my first music festival, Unison Fest, in September!

Anything else you want people to know?

There is so much creativity and expression that comes with aerial arts. The community of individuals is also unlike anything else I have experienced. We are all artists dancing in the air for fun and try not to take ourselves too seriously! Come join the circus fun!!

I am also available to hire for private events through my studio, Gravity Aerial Arts!"