My Circus Journey

I’ve never been an extremely athletic person. I had a few brief stints with ballet and gymnastics as a child, but was never able to fully commit. I really wanted to do rhythmic gymnastics (pretty ribbons!) My mom was concerned about the strict training and cost of these sports, so I was unable to experience them in a competitive aspect. This probably wouldn’t have been the best fit for me anyway- I am not super competitive by nature. I love to create, I love to learn, but I also enjoy learning at my own pace.

I found circus at the age of 30, when I was looking to find an exercise regimen that I didn’t absolutely detest. I knew I needed to keep my body active so I wouldn’t have health problems as I got older. We only have one body in this life, and I wanted to keep it healthy and active as long as possible. I also didn’t really get to experience anything like it in my 20s- I had lived in Florida and gotten out of a toxic marriage, so now I was finally able to do some of these things I missed out on. I signed up for the trapeze basics course at Aloft Circus Arts in Logan Square. I figured “if I hate it, I’m only out $15”. Turns out it was the best $15 I’ve ever spent.

Gazelle pose from my final ABC Trapeze class

It was HARD at first. I couldn’t invert at all, my hands were torn up, and I was sore for days afterwards. Something in me pushed me to keep going even though it was hard and I was bad- I gave up easily as a child when I wasn’t good at something. This time was different. I had already experienced much heartbreak and disappointment in my young adult life, and this was something I was going to do for ME. The community at Aloft and circus in general is unique in a way that with enough training and mentors, you can absolutely reach your goals at any age, body type, etc. What you get out of circus is truly what you put into it, and there are infinite was to approach skills and tricks. I kept going to the ABC Trapeze class and felt so victorious when I was cleared to take the next level of training. I loved the aesthetic and flow of lyra, so I decided to enter the program.

My instructor, Chloe, helping me with some under bar tricks during my first lyra class

I started Level 1 lyra in December 2023. I decided to set a goal for myself- before the end of the year, I would have enough skills to be able to create and perform an act. At first, it seemed impossible. I remember banging my head against a wall about not being able to do a front pullover or beat to sit for MONTHS. I wasn’t going to give up though. I bought a pull-up bar to practice in my apartment full of things. I took extra strength and flexibility classes. My instructor, Chloe, was incredibly supportive and encouraging. And finally, one day, I was able to do both of those things and I felt so accomplished. When I got an email from Chloe that I was cleared for Level 2 in June 2024, I danced around my home office. Not only was my training progressing, but I could now do open gym and safely practice the skills on my own. My partner bought me my own lyra, affectionately called Carina (like the Nebula, she’s sparkly). I began going to open gym at any opportunity available.

I decided in addition to classes to also take private lessons. All of the instructors at Aloft are incredible, each with their own unique teaching style but the same love for the circus arts and their students. With the guidance of both of my Level 2 class instructor, Valeria, and private instructor, Stacie, I worked for 6 weeks to create an act I’d had in my head for a while: the Yule Cat. I trained my butt off and drank about a jillion Gatorades- I’d had the vision for so long, and I was going to make it happen. When I was able to complete the entire act, I submitted it for Communion, which is Aloft’s open circus show that is held monthly. Receiving the letter that my act was accepted was probably one of the proudest moments of my adult life.

Valeria teaching some spanset tricks, which I used in my Yule Cat act

When the day finally came to perform for the first time, I felt like I had superpowers on stage. All the fear, anxiety, insecurity, and loneliness I ever felt no longer existed. This was where I belonged- creating, moving, connecting, and pushing myself to infinite potential. I am officially addicted- and plan to create more as long as I have the body that allows me to do so.

A Russian Split, my current favorite trick

If anyone is out there like me, just know that it is never too late. Your life is your own and you can always take “one day” and turn it into “day one”. You can find the strength within you to find yourself and your passions at any stage of life. Don’t even let anyone hold you back from reaching your potential, especially yourself.

My 2025 Circus Goals

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