Hi, I'm sara!
Starting Cloud Nine Aerial Arts has been one of the most fulfilling journeys of my life. Since I was a tiny person in ballet class (talking about the 80's, friends), dance and movement arts has been my greatest passion. It's not just about the movement; it's about self-expression, creativity, and connection. Dance was my therapy, my joy, and my way of communicating with the world, and I always dreamed of sharing that with others. I designed my dance studio when I was about 7. It was EPIC.
I danced and performed competitively and professionally until I was in my early 20s. Eventually, I got frustrated with options for "older" dancers and found aerial arts almost by accident somewhere around 2008. I was fortunate to have the most amazing instructor ever-- Destiny, if you're out there you changed my life-- who taught me some really important lessons about managing beginner frustration because I was...ummm...not a natural aerialist. But I loved it, I had to work really hard at it, I became moderately obsessed with it, and I got the chance to start teaching around 2015. Teaching reignited all of the little girl dreams I had about starting an aerial studio and making art, and helping other people make art, and in 2017 I decided the only path for me was to open my own aerial studio and so I did!
There's probably more to it than that.
Maybe this is starting out less like a blog and more like a love letter to aerial arts.
I love the way aerial arts mirrors and magnifies life. During my own aerial journey, I have learned lessons in patience, self-care, when and how to pay attention to my body, and the values of mindfulness and balance in ways that seem so much more vibrant and bigger than they did before.
I love the way that aerial presents puzzles that are (almost always) solvable. The combination of familiarity and novelty in new skills and wraps sparks my creativity from an intellectual angle, how is that even possible? It’s like math and art had a baby.
I love the way that aerial brings people together who would never be in the same space otherwise. Engineers and pole dancers and stay at home moms and lawyers are all just hanging out trying to make something beautiful out of something hard and it’s amazing to watch.
I love the way that aerial changes you physically, like when a student’s shoulders start to come in or when they brag-complain about having to go sleeveless so they don’t hulk out the back of their dress.
I love being in a space that celebrates that.
Over the years, I’ve seen how aerial arts can transform lives. It’s not just about learning choreography or mastering skills; it’s about building confidence, relieving stress, and finding joy in movement. Watching students light up when they nail a trick they’ve been practicing or when they hear a breath in their music for the first time is what fuels me every day.
The decision to open my own aerial studio came from a deep desire to create a space where people of all ages and backgrounds could discover the magic of aerial. I wanted to build more than just an aerial studio; I wanted to foster a community. Whether someone is just starting to lift off or has years of experience, I wanted to create an environment that felt welcoming, supportive, and inspiring.
Starting a blog alongside the studio was a natural extension of that mission. The blog gives me a platform to connect with even more people—not just those in our local community.Through my posts, I hope to inspire others to explore aerial, share tips for beginners, and offer insights into the mental and physical benefits of movement. It’s also a space for me to share personal stories, celebrate the achievements of our students, and provide resources for anyone interested in making aerial a part of their life.
At its core, this journey is about connection. Aerial has connected me to myself, to others, and to the world in profound ways. Through my studio and blog, I hope to pay that forward and create a ripple effect of positivity and passion. If just one person feels inspired to move, to create, or to step out of their comfort zone, then I know I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Whether you’re soaring into the studio, following the blog, or just curious about what we’re all about, I’m grateful to have you here.
See you in the air!
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