Aerial Instruction at Fenway
Hey there, Fenway folks. We’ve been running aerials and circus instruction for a while now, and I wanted to give you a few words from the instructors! Currently there are classes running with two awesome instructors:
Joanna of Dominique Immora – contact for class schedule
Rachel Stewart of Esh Aerial Arts – class schedule available online, contact for scheduling private instruction
Both are excellent instructors, and I encourage you to be in touch about learning how to get up in the air! In addition, here’s a few words from Joanna about what she does and why she’s excited to be doing it with all of us at CrossFit Fenway!
Greetings CFF community,
There are some really exciting things going on at CFF lately! One of the most unusual is the new aerial arts equipment. You may be wondering what this new thing is all about, so I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as one of the new aerials instructors.
Every time I walk into CrossFit Fenway, I love to see the personal goals written on the walls. The myriad of reasons why you are all here is awe inspiring.
I think about why I’m here – both as an aerialist and as a teacher – and I’d like to share with you my personal goals for every student who walks into my class:
1. For you to do something you’ve never done before or didn’t think you could do.
2. For both your body and your mind to thank you for doing this.
If you’d like to take a look at my personal work, you can find it here: www.dominiqueimmora.com
But the demonstration of skill in any subject is only part of the art of teaching. To be a good teacher is a calling. It requires a love for the sharing of an art/subject/discipline that one takes joy in oneself. A good teacher shares in the wonder of exploring and in thrives on watching students develop confidence, knowledge, and skill.
I began my working career as a high school teacher. I studied to be History teacher in college and headed straight for the classroom after my final college class (literally!). But I came to realize the classroom was not the place for me. I loved teaching, loved imparting knowledge, loved seeing success in my students, but the format lacked something I needed.
Instead, I poured my efforts into the circus arts I was already performing. I learned and taught everything I could. I managed the curriculum for the WildFire training retreat. This past year I took the Trapeze Teacher Training at NECCA.
In learning I am constantly humbled by what I don’t know. The better one understands the complex bio-mechanics of strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination, the easier it is to teach and execute safely any physical art, sport, or activity. Towards that end I have started down what will be a long road to greater understanding. I am now certified in Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy and am studying to become a structural integration based yoga teacher and bodyworker through South Boston Yoga, a personal trainer through the NSCA, and Thai Yoga Massage practitioner through Lotus Palm of Montreal. I will also have the pleasure of studying kinesiology with the highly-esteemed Tom Myers (www.anatomytrains.com) in his Body Language program this coming year.
I already see the difference in class. We pay special attention to stretching muscles that are chronically shortened, and strengthening muscles that are chronically inhibited. You will walk out of this class not only with more functional strength, but with strength and flexibility where you need it most in order to prevent common strain patterns.
To me, the best part of aerial arts is that its a great workout that teaches you to do amazing things with your body, while challenging your physical and mental limits. We all put ourselves into a box that defines what we think we’re capable of. Moving in three dimensions allows us new freedoms. In my classes, we create a safe space for you to explore, be afraid, push yourself, be exhilarated, and encourage your fellow students to do the same.
As members of CrossFit Fenway, I know we are all kinetic beings by nature. I challenge you to come try out a class. Push the boundaries of your movement, especially if you think you can’t do it. The only thing holding you back is you!
