Student of the Month

I wanted to find a workout that I enjoyed doing. Instead I found an obsession.

Definitely lyra/hoop. It is personally the easiest one to flow/dance on and I love finding or trying new transitions in and out of moves to smooth out sequences. It's always a challenge. Plus the lines and shapes you can make contrast beautifully within a circle!

I love the camaraderie in every class and practice. There is always someone close by to cheer you on, tell you what looks cool (and vise versa) or give advice on something that eludes you. It's also wonderful to watch each other grow and create.

When I'm not hanging in the air, I'm thinking about it. Lol! Honestly I do spend much of my free time watching aerial and dance videos, reading circus articles and working on short term goals and choreography. I am also big into foods and crafts. I have made gifts, soaps, crochet items, party food, favors and decorations. Lately my main focus has been working on trying new, healthier meals, prepping our puppers for some serious training and playing with some ideas for the showcase in April.

I am definitely a chocolate fan in general but my favorite desserts are cheesecake and chocolate mousse. They are especially delicious together!

I usually take those days to watch a little closer during class and also take a step back from pushing myself. If I can't make it through a particular trick, I will not try to force it but focus instead on what I can properly do. I also like to take the day to focus on my classmates and their progress. Cheering them on and seeing them succeed helps me remember that we all have things we are struggling with and we all have our good and bad days. It's more fun to celebrate their win with them!

My favorite trick is actually the "Tick Tock Drop" on silks. It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland when Alice falls down the rabbit hole and yells "goodbye Dinah!" My least favorite trick currently is a drop from the top of the hoop where you land squarely on your hips at the bottom. I'm told you can build up a tolerance...as long as you actually practice it.

I would say I couldn't pick just one but this time last year I actually had done just that (kind of, not so much deserted) with Kelly Murphy! We went to Hawaii for an aerial and mermaiding adventure and she has since become my partner in crime and go to buddy when looking at different aerial training workshops out of town.

Probably the first time I did showcase at Bumbershoot. I chose a solo performance on the lyra to challenge myself. It was then that I realized how much I loved creating and playing with choreography, music and being able to get a story/character across all while being in the air. I love it!