Student of the Month - Sierra Jarmon - Feb 2021

Student of the Month
Sierra Jarmon -

Feb 2021

When did you start at the studio? 
I began my journey at the end of October 2020.

Why did you start? 
About 6 months before Covid, I had just discovered aerial yoga.  I kept procrastinating about trying it until one day I knew I needed a workout routine that I could stick with, because it's fun.

What made you come back and stick with it? 
The amount of fun that I have doing this makes me feel like I'm not even working out.  Also, it provides me lots of relief from my back pain, and accomplishing a new pose is always so rewarding!

What would you tell someone just starting aerial fitness? 
I would say don't overthink anything.  Just do what comes naturally to your body.

What have been some of your challenges? 
Poses and exercises requiring upper body strength have been, by far, my biggest challenge.  But the more classes I come to, the stronger I get!

What apparatuses do you train on at the studio? 
I currently only train on the hammock.  Very soon I plan on trying Lyra. 

Your favorite pose(s), and why do you like it?
Sacrum Wrap Inversion and any Butterfly pose

One word that defines you? 
Adventurous 

What path would you like aerial to take for you? 
I think I would like to keep progressing one level at a time.  As I keep progressing, I want to continue to increase my flexibility and core & upper body strength.

Zina's Aerial Corner Jan 2021 -Thrive

Zina's Aerial Corner

2021 is here. We will THRIVE not just survive. Thriving is a choice.  Yes, this is a deliberate mental choice to shift your thinking. Your challenge this month is to change your mental state.  Every day write down 3 things you are grateful for or thankful for.   Gratitude is one way to thrive. 

One one my entries this month was being thankful we are open for business to create a safe space, thankful we are all united in something to challenge us physically, mentally and some days emotionally, thankful for all of my great teachers,  thankful for all of our students, and ALL of you who make this studio such a great place.  In fact as I listen and watch sometimes, this is a dream come true.  We have a true blessing to be together and cheer each other on. 

Love, Monkeys and SeaHorses, 
Zina
 

COVID Updates

Clean Air System
As our students’ safety has always been, and will always continue to be, one of our highest priorities, we have added an UV lite sanitizer of protection to our HVAC system.

Perm-Safe
We have also added an additional layer of protection to our studio, by having it fogged and santized.

Class Sizes
To comply with the latest regulations, we have reduced the number of available spots in numerous classes.  
⦁    Sign up well in advance.
⦁    If a class is full, add your name to the waitlist. Keep an eye on your email.  Cancelations do happen. 
⦁    Cancellation/sign up window closes four hours prior to class.  If you need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible, so another student may have the opportunity to join the class.

Student of the Month - Amanda Cavoto - Jan 2021

Student of the Month
Amanda Cavoto -

Jan 2021

When did you start at the studio? 
I started February 2019 right before Covid shut the world down. 

Why did you start? 
I realized that I was really unfit and unhealthy. It was starting to get in the way of my living a happy life. I knew that if I just tried going to the gym and plugging away on the elliptical, I’d never stick to it. I wanted to find something that I could do that was exercise but didn’t really “feel” like exercise, if that makes sense.

What made you come back and stick with it? 
Once I saw how positively aerial fitness was impacting my life, I was hooked. I remember one photo that was taken where my tricep was POPPIN’. That was a clarifying moment of “Oh, yeah. That’s why I’m doing this! I look great!” I also feel better than I have in a long time.

All of the teachers are amazing. I always feel encouraged and the atmosphere is celebratory of everyone. They truly love to get to know their students. It’s not just like a “professionally friendly” type thing. It’s a true and genuine interest in every person who walks through the door. 

I also really enjoy getting to know the other students. I’ve never met someone who wasn’t happy to be there. When you go there, you know that everyone genuinely cares about you. It’s a family.

What would you tell someone just starting aerial fitness? 
Be patient and don’t compare yourself to others. If you see someone excelling at something you’re struggling with, it’s okay. Everyone’s experience is unique. Having a growth mindset and a willingness to learn is imperative. Don’t beat yourself up! Just showing up to class and putting in work makes you a rockstar!

What have been some of your challenges? 
I think a huge challenge of mine has been getting out of my own head. I tend to overthink what is being taught to me. I also needed to build a lot of arm and core strength and I’m still working on that.

What apparatuses do you train on at the studio? 
I currently train on hammock and lyra.  I’ll be starting bungee classes soon! 

Your favorite pose(s), and why do you like it?
When training on hammock, I LOVE Heron pose. I’ve always had tightness in the back of my legs and it’s helped open everything up. I also love any variation of a Butterfly because of how wonderful it is for your hips. I like Flying Stick because it’s just fun!

When I’m training in the Lyra hoop, I really enjoy anything that I can do while spinning. I’m just learning how to put flows together smoothly and I’m enjoying that right now. I will say, I felt very accomplished when I mastered Arabesque.

One word that defines you? 
Determined

What path would you like aerial to take for you? 
I would really like to take it to the highest level I can on the Lyra and on the Hammock. Now that I know I’m capable of it,  I definitely want to be learn to do things I never thought in a million years I’d be capable of doing.

Deena Nekoukar - Student of the Month - Sep 2020

Deena Nekoukar - Student of the Month

Sep 2020

When did you start at the studio?

• Six years ago.

Why did you start aerial?

• I saw someone doing aerial yoga on America’s Got Talent and I thought that looked like fun. There was a studio 5 minutes away, so I called and signed up for a class.

What made you come back and stick with it?

• It was so much fun, and when I flipped, I was hooked! Zina made me laugh, every class was different, and Zina never doubted me.

What would you tell someone just starting aerial
fitness?

• You aren’t going to throw up. Classes are super fun and just do the best you can do. It takes more than one class to be successful.

What have been some of your challenges?

• All of it. Every class is a challenge. Every class I try to pick a flow that I did ok with. It takes me a long time to understand other poses, and that’s ok. If I show up for class, I’m already ahead of the game.

What apparatuses do you train on at the studio?

• Lyra, hammock, and silks.

Your fav pose(s), and why do you like it?

• I love tic tocs. They are super fun. I also enjoy shoulder stands, flipping, and restorative bat. And nap time!

One word that defines you?

• Outgoing

What path would you like aerial to take for you?

• Upside down. Lol. Aerial and Zina have changed my life. I know I’m stronger physically and mentally now. I would like to eventually be able to do silks effortlessly. Oh, and a handstand without the hammock support! 

Some of the alternative training Deena and her family did during the covid break. This was taken right before the parks were closed.

Zina's Tech Tip of the Month September 2020

Zina's Tech Tip of the Month

September 2020

"Undo the ZOOM neck"

Your “Zoom” Relief Pose:

• Upper Back/Chest Opener/Spine Twisting Yummy Pose

  • There is more than one way to get into this, but this entrance will take more concentration to "open into the stretch"  vs. slouch into it.

• Position:  Lay on the stomach, arms by ears (like superman flying), Turn to Left side, Right knee pulls up to 90 degrees, twist to open the chest, bring arms to Airplane or in a T, Palms up. 

  • Hold 5 to 10 breaths 

  • Repeat on the other side

• Alignment: arms in a “T”, gently let upper back sink to the floor.  There should be no low back strain, and a gentle mid-back twisting motion.

• Benefits: opens chests and strengthens back, twist through the spine.