Aerial Yoga and Aerial Silks | The Best Upper Body Workout?
This post is sponsored by Danskin. All commentary and opinions are my own.
So, I have a confession…
I’ve been flying high lately.
If you’ve never heard of aerial yoga or aerial silks, I’m about to rock your world. This isn’t my first rodeo, but this time I’m making a goal of it. Last time I tried aerial silks I took a few classes, then ended up tabling it for “another time” because it was so difficult.
Like, SO difficult!
But that’s exactly why I’m picking it up again. As a matter of fact, last night I took my second class and as I type this, my fingers are even sore. MY FINGERS!
I digress. My goal here is to put together a little “routine” if you will. I have no idea what that routine will look like yet, and no, I did not grow up as a dancer or gymnast or anything even remotely close to that.
Currently, this goal feels impossible. I can barely hang on, my feet feel like they’re being ripped off, and I feel so clunky in every move.
But I can tell you it’s going to happen, whether it turns out graceful or not. So here’s the most important takeaway — not all fitness goals should be “looks” related. As a fitness blogger, I hear requests all the time for “how to make so and so ‘go away'” or “how to get flat abs” etc. etc.
If there’s one piece of advice for 2017 I can impart on you from 6 years of being in the fitness industry, it’s this…
Set more physical goals for yourself, and stop worrying about how your body looks doing it.
Focus on how your body FEELS and what you can accomplish through new modes of movement, strength, flexibility and functional exercise. In the picture above, I’m wearing a Danskin active top and leggings that help me stay extra comfy and confident. Remember, it’s just as important to stay comfortable in your workouts too!
This same time last year I set out on a mission to get my middle splits all the way to the ground, and to be able to straddle and actually touch my chest to the floor. This goal had nothing to do with the way my body looked. It had everything to do with a physical challenge that I set out to achieve and stayed determined to accomplish.
Staying warm in my Danskin activewear jacket, Lululemon pants and Nike Frees.
And with consistency, patience and practice, I did it! You can too.
Right now you may look at these pictures and think to yourself, “There’s no way.” And believe me, I’m right there with you, especially on this new goal I’ve set for myself. Every time my aerial teacher demonstrates a new maneuver (for lack of a better term), I literally laugh and say to myself in my head, “There’s NO way. Absolutely not.”
But right afterward, out loud, I say this:
“Okay, I’ll try…”
And that’s literally all it takes. Keep trying. Keep trying over, and over, and over, until your “try” becomes a “DO.”
Then don’t give up. That’s all you have to do. Just don’t give up.
Make a promise to yourself right now that no matter how hard it is, you WILL not give up. You owe that to yourself.
So I’ll leave you with this quote, which is one of my favorites:
“The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.” – Stephen McCranie
You can bet I’ll be over here trying to remind myself of that while these silks give me a solid beating. Whatever goal you set for yourself in 2017, I hope you’ll be doing the same.
Feel free to leave your goals in the comments below so we can hold each other accountable. I’m curious what other challenges you’ll personally be going after this year!! Can’t wait to get to get to know you better.
Super sore,
Liz
