Lindsay has been taking all the classes offered at ArtFit Oregon since the Spring of 2024 and she strives to excel in everything she does. Lindsay’s
transformation over the last year is incredible and it shows in her flexibility, clean lines, styling, musicality, and strength. Furthermore, Lindsay has a
positive attitude and is usually smiling and cheerful. She is a great encourager and
motivator for the other students as she cheers them on, especially when they are struggling
with a new move. Lindsay is also training to be an aerial silks and pole fitness instructor
and she plans to teach hula hoop workshops too. We are so grateful to have Lindsay as a
motivated student and to join our team of instructors. Let us learn more about Lindsay
from her perspective.
What is your favorite hobby?
Is it possible to only choose one?! I started hula hooping in my late twenties, which served
as my “gateway” to dance and circus arts. After taking up fire dancing (with hoops, fans,
and poi), I started taking dance classes to improve my movement quality. Aerial dance
(pole, lyra, and silks) is a relatively new passion, and it seems to be taking most of my free
time these days (which is a great thing!). I also love spending time outdoors, going to live
music shows and festivals, and painting/drawing.
What is your biggest dream or goal in life?
Honestly, I often feel like I am already living it – I want to be a scientist by day, and a
circus performer by night/weekend! Also… I am not going to lie; I really want to get my
splits!
What are 3 awesome things about yourself?
I lived in Aotearoa New Zealand for almost a decade, where I earned my PhD researching Hector’s dolphins (an endangered dolphin found only in
NZ!). Currently, I am a scientist researching whales along the Oregon Coast.
I am also a “flow artist” – I manipulate hoops and fans to make pretty shapes and patterns. I love teaching and performing flow arts at events and
festivals. Ask ANYONE who knew me during my younger years, and they will tell you I was by far the clumsiest person they knew. Movement arts
did not come naturally to me but I think it is awesome I pursued them anyway!
What brought you to Artfit Oregon classes?
I started pole fitness and belly dancing while living in New Zealand and was desperate to keep up these hobbies when I moved to Newport a year
ago. I was overjoyed when I saw Artfit Oregon was opening (literally the same week as my move!).
What benefits have you gained by taking these classes?
I have gained so much strength! The new tricks and skills are the most exciting, but I’ve also noticed in my day to day that grocery bags feel lighter
and I can unscrew every jar. Pain and muscle imbalances from past injuries, as well as my scoliosis, also just keeps improving. Going to classes is
also great stress relief. Aerials and dance are so physically and mentally engaging, it forces me to not think about stressful things. As an adult, it is
also a great way to also incorporate creativity and play – and I think we need that just as much as kids do!
What is your biggest achievement in taking these classes?
Every time I build a choreographed routine; it feels like a huge achievement! Building up the endurance to complete a routine in the air takes so
much practice.
Can you share some of the challenges you faced when you began training, and how did you overcome them?
I am pretty afraid of heights… I have had to slowly work up to skills high off the ground, and it took so much encouragement from Sharon to do my
first drop! Some things that have helped: time/repeated exposure to heights, reminding myself to breath, and to trust myself and my teacher. I also
had to learn to not compare my progress to others – everyone gains skills at different rates and has a different background in fitness and flexibility. I
started silks pretty strong, but without a ton of flexibility, which continues to be a limiting factor for me! So, I have been supplementing with
flexibility training at Artfit Oregon and at home, and I have improved so much over the past year!
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your journey?
So many skills in aerial look or feel “impossible” when you first try them. Every time I unlock a previous skill that felt “impossible” – it feels
amazing and gives a great confidence boost. Also, looking back at old videos, it is so rewarding to see how much stronger and more graceful I am. I
also get a lot of joy seeing my classmates improve, and I have met some awesome folks by coming to classes.
What do you hope to gain or achieve in the future through the classes that you take at Artfit Oregon?
I want to keep learning cool skills and “tricks,” but I also want to improve my artistry and choreography skills. Personally, I want to use aerials not
just for fitness, but for artistic expression – I would love to be a performer at festivals and events and to teach.
Please tell us anything else you would like to share.
Technically, the first time I tried aerial silks was years ago, at a circus festival in New Zealand. I watched everyone else climb and tie a footlock, and
I could not even hold myself up off the ground… It was honestly embarrassing! I had ZERO interest in trying silks ever again…
Before seriously trying aerials again, I had to redefine the meaning of “talent.” Yes, some people are more athletically gifted than others, but most of
what we think of as “talent” comes from hours of training and practice. When you are “bad” at something but enjoy it, just keep doing it anyway. I
guarantee you will surprise yourself with time and practice!
