Spreading Wings at Monarch Aerial Arts Studio
Photo courtesy of monarchaerialarts.com.

Spreading Wings at Monarch Aerial Arts Studio

Jamie Vanatta, of Monarch Aerial Arts, is offering a creative way to keep in shape for students from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Sydney Inks, senior arts management major, comes to the studio for aerial dance.

“You’ve got to be determined,” Inks said. “It’s pretty intense.”

But, she insisted those words were not meant to deter anyone from trying this alternative exercise.

Inks said, “Anybody can do it, it just takes effort.”

Whitney Moore, an instructor at Monarch Aerial Arts, said she first found the classes freeing.

Moore was pulled there by her love of dance. Even though she began as an aerial dance rookie, after a few weeks of classes Moore became committed and saw health benefits.

“I can do a pull-up. And I am more confident in myself,” Moore said.

Vanatta started Monarch Aerial Arts after years perfecting her aerial skills at a Madison-based studio. With a history of gymnastics, she has made her home in aerial yoga and dance.

Photo courtesy of monarchaerialarts.com.

Photo courtesy of monarchaerialarts.com.

Monarch Aerial Arts offer two types of aerial aerobics: yoga and dance. Yoga focuses on the hammock technique that allows pressure to leave key joints. This happens through the inversion technique that is allowed with hammocks.

Dance can only be described as a performance akin to cirque du soleil, or a “modern dance that leaves the floor.”

“It’s really great exercise while having fun. I don’t think that always happens during a workout,” Vanatta said. “Not only does the studio offer classes, there are performances done as well.”

The benefits of this alternative yoga/dance seem endless.

“People come into yoga for back pain,” Vanatta said. The hammock allows its users to be creative in inverted positions which alleviate pressure on the spine.

“Once you get it, it is very calming. It’s an encouraging environment” Inks said. “It’s my happy place.”

Beginners are welcomed, with drop-in yoga sessions Monday’s 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Dance sessions are six to eight week classes requiring at least one introductory class.

Classes are small. It is important to keep an instructor-student ratio low. Dance classes ranging from beginner to intermediate have spots for six to eight students. Yoga classes hold spots for six students.

The studio is now located at 1909 Wood St. in Stevens Point. The studio is the only one of its kind in central Wisconsin.

Students looking for an alternative place to connect with themselves, while reaping health benefits, can find a home in Vanatta’s aerial arts studio.

“You can express yourself through movement,” Vanatta said. “It’s almost all adults in the studio. Adults don’t get to be creative every day.”

Sydney DenHartigh

Sports Reporter

sdenh702@uwsp.edu

 

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