Jenny Aerial Pic

How Has Urban Affected Your Life?

How Has Urban Affected Your Life?

Since December of 2018 the Urban Aerial team has worked extremely hard to make our little studio the best aerial studio in Orange County. It has not been easy. It’s taken a lot of effort, sweat, creativity and resilience to grow our studio so we can bring the joy of aerial to as many people as possible.

From the day we begun operating, our goal has always been to create a studio that not only gave our clients a place to practice aerial and pole. Our goal was a lot more ambitious. We wanted to create a place that truly affected people’s lives in the best way possible. We believe we have achieved this goal with many of our clients, but we could not be 100% certain until we heard directly from our clients. 

We reached out to our members and asked them to answer the question “how has urban affected your life?”. The responses we gathered were so candid that we decided to share them with you. Here are the top responses we got.

Jenny

Urban Aerial Fitness has become my home away from home.
 
It’s my little sanctuary that’s a respite from work stress and a time for focus on myself and what my body can do. I am also so grateful for all the amazing people and friends I’ve made here.
 
The amount of love, support and encouragement from everyone, from the instructors to fellow classmates is unbelievable. I’ve fallen in love with aerial through UAF.
 
It’s also been a way to get out of my shell and challenge myself to do things that I never thought my body was capable of.
 
Thanks for being such an inspiring, supportive environment!

Kristen

First of all, I want to say thank you for having this amazing studio!
 
When I first started attending classes at UAF, I hated how my body looked. I would look at the mirror and only see things I didn’t like, and I did not think that I was ‘fit’ enough.
 
Coming to UAF has improved my mental health, giving me the confidence to love my body through the support of amazing instructors and friends I have met here. I went from someone wearing full coverage clothes on the pole, to attending a lap dance workshop.
 
I love this studio, the people who work here, and the friends I get to see week after week.

Lisa

Urban aerial fitness has been a transformative journey that has not only sculpted my physical strength but has also enriched my life in ways I never imagined possible. Through this unique form of fitness, I have encountered like-minded individuals, experienced exponential growth in my physical capabilities, and cultivated a deep-seated confidence that radiates through every aspect of my life.

First and foremost, Urban Aerial Fitness introduced me to a community of individuals who share a passion for pushing physical boundaries and embracing creativity. The people I have met through this discipline are not just fellow enthusiasts; they are individuals who inspire and support each other on a daily basis. Whether learning a new aerial silk routine or mastering a challenging aerial hoop sequence, the camaraderie and encouragement from my peers have been invaluable. These friendships have extended beyond the studio, creating a network of support that enhances both my fitness journey and personal growth.

Physically, the impact of Urban Aerial Fitness on my strength and agility has been nothing short of remarkable. From my initial struggles with basic poses to effortlessly executing complex aerial maneuvers, the progress I have made reflects not only dedication but also the effectiveness of this form of exercise. Aerial fitness demands a unique blend of strength, flexibility, and coordination, all of which have seen exponential growth over time. As I have become stronger and more proficient, each achievement has fueled my motivation to reach new heights and conquer more challenging aerial feats.

Moreover, Urban Aerial Fitness has been a catalyst for building my confidence in ways I never anticipated. Learning to trust my body’s capabilities, overcoming fears of heights, and mastering intricate aerial techniques have all contributed to a newfound self-assurance. Beyond the physical aspects, the mental discipline required to excel in aerial fitness has sharpened my focus and resilience. Each accomplishment, whether big or small, has reinforced my belief in my ability to tackle challenges both inside and outside the studio.

In conclusion, Urban Aerial Fitness has been a transformative experience that has enriched my life in numerous ways. Through this discipline, I have found a supportive community of like-minded individuals, witnessed exponential growth in my physical strength and agility, and cultivated a profound sense of confidence and self-belief. The journey from a novice to a proficient aerialist has not only reshaped my body but has also empowered me with invaluable skills and friendships that will endure beyond the studio. Urban aerial fitness has indeed been instrumental in shaping me into the person I am today – strong, confident, and ready to soar to new heights in every aspect of my life.

Sharon

Urban has created such a unique space in my life. It is the highlight of my week to come into the studio.

I truly feel that I have formed a sisterhood with the women that I’ve met. Urban is truly a home that brings together the strongest, brightest, and kindest women in the community. I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey to explore each apparatus and participate in a sport that not only feeds my hunger for physical challenges but also my love and passion for creativity.

Urban feeds my inner child and provides a space that invites play in a world that can be full of heaviness. I am beyond grateful to have come across this space and to consider it home. 

Sunshine

Where do I start? We discovered Urban on January 30, 2020. My youngest daughter fell in love immediately with the studio and then boom! COVID hit, so we set up a rig in our garage and did some private lessons.
 
We were going through a very traumatic family experience at the time, and I was not gonna allow COVID to destroy the one thing my daughter found joy in. It was one of those “we will do whatever it takes moments”.
 
When the studio finally reopened I was so invested that I joined as well and fell in love immediately. Something that I could do at my age, and with my daughter? Perfect!
 
When my eldest daughter moved back home, she also wanted to give aerial a try and she fell in love with lyra (hoop). Now we are all hooked! Urban has offered opportunities for me to bond with both of my daughters through aerial. 
 
My eldest’s 15th bday was during a student showcase and it was also our first performance ever, and together! What an amazing opportunity as a mom to spend your daughters 15th bday with her, creating a beautiful memory.
 
I have had so many opportunities through Urban to create duo routines with my youngest and bond in the process. So much so that now she actually wants my help with her competition routines. Again, Urban has created a place where my 13 yr old wants to do things with me and wants me to be a part of her aerial competition journey.
 
And the final and most recent event is that my eldest daughter’s boyfriend of 2 yrs just signed up to take dance trapeze classes with her.
 
So basically every member of my family has become part of the Urban family. It has truly given us a safe place during difficult times, a place to create, a place to make friends, a place that is so supportive of everyone that comes through the doors.
 
Urban has created a space that has helped my entire family strengthen its bonds, and personally at 49 yrs old, it is a place where I still feel vibrant, youthful, and capable of still  being beautiful, athletic and sexy. 
 
I am so grateful to have found urban when we did , and to grow with it into what it has become
Nicole R. Photo

Member Spotlight – Nicole R.

Nicole R. Photo

Member Spotlight – Nicole R.

Meet Nicole (@cocodanyella)! Coffee & Tea house connoisseur, blogger and aerialist. 

Nicole is a customer that holds a special place in our hearts as she was one of our very first students. It has been such a joy to see her incredible progress. On top of that, she is one of our UAF unofficial attache’s, who is always ready to welcome new members and show them around the studio. 

One On One With Nicole

We sat down with Nicole for a quick conversation. Between laughs, snacks and a little wine,  our conversation went by so fast. Watch along to learn more about how Urban Aerial has impacted her life.

The Begining

Nicole began her aerial journey in 2016. Her first aerial class was with a friend who asked her to tag along for her birthday. Nicole was interested in trying out aerial, so she purchased a multi-class punch card.

She was interested in trying out the hoop, but they ended up enrolling in a silks class. That first aerial class was quite intimidating and it took her almost a year to come back and give aerial another try.

When Aerial Took Hold

When she returned to Urban Aerial for her next class, she found it a lot easier to assimilate. This is why Nicole recommends that if you are interested in aerial, you should take at least two classes. Mainly because aerial fitness is so different from anything out there, that most of your first class will be a bit confusing and will challenge you in ways that a gym can’t. On the second class, you already know what to expect, so you are more open to learning.

As she began taking classes regularly, she gravitated towards Pole and Hoop (lyra). Nicole had previous pole dancing experience. She loves pole dancing because it involves movement, flow and sensualness, which are areas that she loves to explore. She also loves practicing hoop because it requires the same movement and flow, but it requires a bit more strength. Above all, she loves hoop because its so much fun.

 

What Urban Aerial Means To Nicole

Nicole’s journey has been amazing, but what we love the most is to see the relationships she has formed. It is heartwarming to see our students walk into class and greet each other with loving hugs and a quick chat.

These relationships form bonds that extend beyond our studio walls. Getting to celebrate birthdays, baby showers, graduations and different life events with other students enriches our lives and is another thing that makes Urban Aerial so special.

We are so proud of you, Nicole. Your progress has been amazing and you are a splash of joy that brightens our days when you visit.

Member Spotlight – Danielle G.

Member Spotlight – Danielle G.

Meet Dani! Environmental Scientist by day, fantastic aerialist/poler by night (and by day on the weekends). 

Danielle is one of our first clients to go through the whole aerialist journey, from sporadic visits to a never-miss-a-class V.I.P. member.  Her growth as an aerialist has been truly inspirational and we are so proud of her that we had to share her journey with you.

One On One With Danielle

We sat down with Danielle for a quick conversation about her aerial journey.  She shares with us thoughts about her first classes, the challenges she faced and her favorite parts of being an Urban Aerial Fitness member.

The Begining

Danielle began her aerial journey when she found our studio through a 3rd party booking service that we used to reach out to people looking for cool, alternative fitness methods. She saw our aerial classes and was intrigued so she signed up for an aerial class.

During her first months, she would take hoop basics and aerial basics classes. She recalls how much she struggled during the first classes, and even though she could climb right away, there were moves such as a silks straddle-backs that took a while to achieve.

When Aerial Took Hold

Danielle continued taking aerial classes, going from one class per week to two classes per week and eventually throwing in privates and workshops.  All her hard work started to pay off, big time. Eventually, it became common to see Danielle on a silk or hoop pulling off some crazy move that wowed everyone at the studio.

We realized how good she was becoming so, naturally we wanted her to perform in our upcoming student showcase. She joined forces with Chrystine, another member at UAF and gave us this beautiful performance.

Dani doing aerial silks

Checkout Danielle's First Aerial Performance

Today and Beyond

Danielle continues her aerial and pole journey with constant practice and dedication. Lately, she has transitioned to practice Pole fitness more than Silks or Lyra and has made huge improvements to her flexibility, strength, and shapes.

Since transitioning to Pole, she has joined in on a couple of showcase performances, first as a group performer and later with a “Game of Thrones” inspired performance that blew everyone’s socks off! 

Danielle's Game of Thrones Pole Performance