Student of the Month - Jennifer (Jenn) Fox - April 2021

Student of the Month
Jennifer (Jenn) Fox - Aerial Hammock

April 2021
       
 

When did you start at the studio? 
I started several years ago on a whim with a friend. Kelsey was my first instructor and SOLD it for me. I want to say it was about 2015. Since then I came every once in a while, but really started to jump back in this year. I've loved working closely with so many great instructors and other students.
 
Why did you start? 
I am the type of person that gets really into something fitness wise and then gets bored, so I like to change it up every once in a while. Aerial naturally does that for me. Also, I have always been on the larger side, but I always still felt successful at aerial. It is hard to find workouts that you leave feeling confident, another thing it does for me. In my life, I've never been able to do any sort of flips, or hand stands or cartwheels, but after my first angel wing flip out, it was such a freeing feeling and I was hooked. After making the commitment to work on myself this year, I jumped back in because I wanted to see how much more I could do now that I weighed less...and I have been going consistently ever since. I LOVE that aerial is for everyone. Young, old, "big-boned," or slim...everyone can do it and get something out of it.
 
What made you come back and stick with it? 
I LOVE to bring everyone and anyone I know to try an intro class. I even convinced my amazingly supportive husband to try with me. Everyone is always so nervous, but the first thing I tell them is just do what you are comfortable with and enjoy it. The idea of it is far more "scary" than actually doing it. Also, my philosophy is to just keep going. Class doesn't work for you? Try a different instructor. Can't get a move? Keep trying and or do what you can, reaching smaller goals along the way.
 
What would you tell someone just starting aerial fitness? 
I LOVE to bring everyone and anyone I know to try an intro class. I even convinced my amazingly supportive husband to try with me. Everyone is always so nervous, but the first thing I tell them is just do what you are comfortable with and enjoy it. The idea of it is far more "scary" than actually doing it. Also, my philosophy is to just keep going. Class doesn't work for you? Try a different instructor. Can't get a move? Keep trying and or do what you can, reaching smaller goals along the way.
 
What have been some of your challenges? 
Horse wrap (which involves climbing) is my arch nemesis right now. I'm working on building my core and upper body strength, but I'm getting closer little by little. I also have started to take all of my bruises as battle scars. I show them off proudly because it means I tried something hard today and pushed through. Hip hang was also a bit of a challenge in the start. As someone who has had 2 c-sections and whose weight was mostly in her abdomen, it makes doing hip hang extra difficult. But I've built up a tolerance and now I love it...most of the time. 
 
What apparatuses do you train on at the studio? 
Currently, only aerial hammock. I do love Cardio Drumming as well and hope to EVENTUALLY be able to do Lyra. I'm excited to try Bungee very soon.
 
Your favorite pose(s), and why do you like it?
Flip out, Chicken, flying stick, sleeping bat, baby bat, and sleeping bear. I love all of the flip outs and pocket flip outs because it is working my core hard, but still thrilling. Sleeping bear is my go to relaxation. I feel like it helps with my spine alignment while allowing air into the hammock. And flying stick I just think looks cool. Someday I know when I achieve  horse that will be a favorite as well.
 
One word that defines you? 
Motivated and determined. Even when I can't do something, I keep trying it to the point where I have to tell myself to stop. I KNOW I will get there eventually, it just takes a little more work sometimes. I believe that aerial is another opportunity that has shaped my life, and I'm going to take it with everything I've got and put my all into it.
 
What path would you like aerial to take for you? 
I would love to eventually move into the higher levels and gain even more flexibility and strength, and do Lyra. I'm also hoping to assist in finding a satellite location in Middletown where I think it would be widely popular (as well as closer for me!). Lastly, when we finally buy our next house, I can't WAIT to put my own hammock up to practice in my home whenever I want.