Military Split off side of hoop under Laura's careful guidance.

Aerial Hoop (cerceau, lyra, ring) has been a huge part of my life since my first private lesson in 2010. I decided to go big and kicked off my circus training with a flying trapeze drop-in class (worth every penny) then gravitated over to the beauty and strength of silks. Lyra started off as something new and fun to try and I quickly realized that the conditioning involved is like no other. Not only are you working to balance yourself on this precarious ring but you must also balance the hoop itself-hello core and grip strength. I can't say if it was love for this apparatus, or a decent foundation of strength and agility, but I found it to move with me much better than some of the other classes I have tried and quickly fell in love. Is it painful? Yes. Difficult? Quite. Why should someone try this class? Everyone will have their own reason for joining. My dream was always to perform. I want to share art and my love of art with others. There is a vulnerability to performing live in front of an audience that is very fragile and beautiful and most of you who have experienced this, know and understand the impact that this has on our audience and our community as a whole, and how crucial fitness in the form of art is to the world.

To begin, I had a very lovely but tough, professional, aerial coach who is one of the most beautiful people I know. I have formed many good coaching/training habits because of her, and I am constantly inspired and motivated to do and be better. This hasn't always been easy (nothing ever is) but definitely worth it! Laura has an extensive background in dance and aerial arts and has trained on several aerial apparatus that you've probably never even heard of. Her attention to detail and willingness to push boundaries have brought me to do things I never thought possible and would never have pushed myself to do without her. I have trained privately with her for over 6 years and counting, and will probably do so until one of us decides to retire. UV is so privileged to have such an amazingly talented coach to add to our team and I couldn't be happier to finally offer aerial fitness classes open to absolute beginners and intermediate hoop artists on Friday evenings at our Carlaw location.

A little bit about these classes...aerial fitness is a medley of intense training, fluid movement, flexibility and agility, and creativity. We will always lay a base of conditioning and strength training in every class, learn a new trick or sequence, and work on sequential movement to build endurance and artful movement. Technique and control are subtle, helpful attributes to becoming familiar with working on this apparatus, so be prepared to take specific hints that will improve position, muscle engagement/firing, and poise.

If you are looking for a fulfilling challenge that will inspire and motivate we can provide that for you! Working out your body and your brain is what we do and Lyra will be no exception. You don't need to run away to join the circus, we are bringing the circus to you!