Chenoa Allen
Summer 2016
Chenoa is currently a public health Ph.D. student studying immigration policies and their effects on kids. She started aerial training a year and a half ago because a professor recommended taking a class and she wanted a fun new workout. She Enjoys windsurfing and skiing. Before aerials she regularly went to the gym to lift weights and did not have much upper body strength. Chenoa is moving to Madison, WI in June to start her three-year fellowship.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about aerial classes?
A: It has changed my life for the better in many ways! I like how my instructors help promote a positive body image by focusing on flexibility, my personal strength, rather than appearance. My instructors do a great job of breaking each new move down into simpler steps so it’s easier to learn. Also, I suffer with chronic neck pain and migraines, that makes me want to disconnect from my body because my body always hurts. Aerials have helped me reconnect with my body, control my migraines, and help me feel more human not just an intellectual.
Q: How did aerials differ from your expectations?
A: I did not have many expectations, but I found that aerials are more accessible than I expected. I like how the curriculum builds with each class.
Q: What motivates you to continue aerial training?
A: Training gives me more than what I get from work, it’s my fun play time. A great workout and seeing more advanced students practice inspires me to try harder.
Q: How has aerial dance training affected you?
A: Since learning drops, I have connected with my inner adrenaline junkie… I want to go skydiving…
A: It has changed my life for the better in many ways! I like how my instructors help promote a positive body image by focusing on flexibility, my personal strength, rather than appearance. My instructors do a great job of breaking each new move down into simpler steps so it’s easier to learn. Also, I suffer with chronic neck pain and migraines, that makes me want to disconnect from my body because my body always hurts. Aerials have helped me reconnect with my body, control my migraines, and help me feel more human not just an intellectual.
Q: How did aerials differ from your expectations?
A: I did not have many expectations, but I found that aerials are more accessible than I expected. I like how the curriculum builds with each class.
Q: What motivates you to continue aerial training?
A: Training gives me more than what I get from work, it’s my fun play time. A great workout and seeing more advanced students practice inspires me to try harder.
Q: How has aerial dance training affected you?
A: Since learning drops, I have connected with my inner adrenaline junkie… I want to go skydiving…
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Q: Do you have a favorite apparatus? Why?
A: I have the most experience on fabrics so I have the most fun. Lyra was fun to do in last year’s circus performance, and I’m excited to learn more. Really, I want to do all the apparatuses. Q: Do you have a favorite trick or move? A: The flamingo sequence, because it is really pretty! I’m excited to learn more difficult drops! Q: Are you working on anything right now? A: Egg rolls, so I can start doing inversions. Q: Do you have any advice or tips for a new aerialist or someone interested in aerials? A: If you are thinking about trying aerials, you should!! I have learned patience with myself and that the instructors and more advanced students are not judging me. No one is probably judging me except for me. I’m really going to miss Dragonfly Aerial Arts Studio! |
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Kennis VanDyke
Winter 2016
Kennis is a high school student, She started aerials 2 or 3 years ago in 8th grade. She saw aerialists at fairs and circuses. Because, her aunt and cousin do aerials she thought aerials as exercise was very interesting. So, she gave it a shot! She caught on quickly with her background of many years tumbling, dancing, and a little bit of Volleyball.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about aerial classes?
A: I enjoy learning new tricks, especially ones I recognize from media or others’ routines. It is nice to learn the different parts of a move that you have been admiring, and get to the point where you can do it too.
Q: How did aerials differ from your expectations?
A: I knew aerials would be difficult and it would take work, but I don’t think I realized just how much continuous effort and strength it takes, just to get through a class. If I miss even a week of going, I can definitely feel it, and it takes time to build up the strength of the right muscles again.
Q: What motivates you to continue aerial training?
A: I am currently not the most graceful aerialist, at least not on every move, but it is very motivating when you learn to complete a move or routine correctly and gracefully. It pushes me to achieve that on every move, once knowing I can do it with some hard work and practice.
Q: How has aerial dance training affected you?
A: I have learned that there are more elements than just learning to execute the moves. I have to keep going and not give up when I hit a wall on a certain move. Sometimes it takes moving on and coming back later, and it can take months to learn something, and that’s okay.
Q: Do you have a favorite apparatus? Why?
A: I have really only worked on silks. I have done the basics of trapeze in the try me class, and I was very intrigued and interested, but I haven’t done any more training on them, at least not yet.
A: I enjoy learning new tricks, especially ones I recognize from media or others’ routines. It is nice to learn the different parts of a move that you have been admiring, and get to the point where you can do it too.
Q: How did aerials differ from your expectations?
A: I knew aerials would be difficult and it would take work, but I don’t think I realized just how much continuous effort and strength it takes, just to get through a class. If I miss even a week of going, I can definitely feel it, and it takes time to build up the strength of the right muscles again.
Q: What motivates you to continue aerial training?
A: I am currently not the most graceful aerialist, at least not on every move, but it is very motivating when you learn to complete a move or routine correctly and gracefully. It pushes me to achieve that on every move, once knowing I can do it with some hard work and practice.
Q: How has aerial dance training affected you?
A: I have learned that there are more elements than just learning to execute the moves. I have to keep going and not give up when I hit a wall on a certain move. Sometimes it takes moving on and coming back later, and it can take months to learn something, and that’s okay.
Q: Do you have a favorite apparatus? Why?
A: I have really only worked on silks. I have done the basics of trapeze in the try me class, and I was very intrigued and interested, but I haven’t done any more training on them, at least not yet.
Q: Do you have a favorite trick or move?
A: I really enjoy any of the drops. They always look the most interesting when other people do them, and for me they are the most fun. I love learning to execute them properly and working them into routines.
Q: Are you working on anything right now?
A: I’m trying to go to classes as steadily as possible right now. I’m just working through the list of moves trying to get as much experience as possible, with all the other things on my schedule. I moved pass the knots class about a year ago and I’m learning moves in the first level of silks.
Q: Do you have any advice or tips for a new aerialist or someone interested in aerials?
A: I would say go for it. I was interested for years before I actually started to research aerial and decided to do a trial class. It looks hard and is hard, but it is worth it. Work on your strength and flexibility as much as possible outside of class, even in the beginning, because it will help you immensely in the long run.
A: I really enjoy any of the drops. They always look the most interesting when other people do them, and for me they are the most fun. I love learning to execute them properly and working them into routines.
Q: Are you working on anything right now?
A: I’m trying to go to classes as steadily as possible right now. I’m just working through the list of moves trying to get as much experience as possible, with all the other things on my schedule. I moved pass the knots class about a year ago and I’m learning moves in the first level of silks.
Q: Do you have any advice or tips for a new aerialist or someone interested in aerials?
A: I would say go for it. I was interested for years before I actually started to research aerial and decided to do a trial class. It looks hard and is hard, but it is worth it. Work on your strength and flexibility as much as possible outside of class, even in the beginning, because it will help you immensely in the long run.
