I have to be completely honest: a lot of the flexibility I have today comes from training as a rhythmic gymnast when I was young. That said, I also need to point out that the way many of us were pushed into flexibility back then was inhumane and unhealthy. Lots of former gymnasts like me now live with multiple injuries, so the training methods we used should absolutely not be copied.
I started ballet when I was 6 and trained to 17. I loved the graceful movement and beautiful lines, but my toes were ill-suited for pointe shoes, so I could only go so far. I did win at the Surrey Arts Festival when I was 16 though, so that was something. 🥰
I started rhythmic gymnastics when I was 7, and that quickly became the center of my life. Honestly… I probably didn’t have a life outside of rhythmics. 😂 At the peak of my career, I trained 4-5 hours a day, five days a week.
Some of my proudest memories include being on the Taiwan National Team, helping my Taipei team win Taiwan Nationals, and traveling internationally to compete at Four Continents, Aeon Cup, and the World Youth Games in Moscow. In Canada, I placed silver in BC and 8th in Ribbon at the Canadian Nationals.
It was a very high-stress lifestyle, but it shaped who I am and built my work ethic.
Outside of rhythmics and ballet, I also trained in Chinese folk dance (won at Surrey Arts Festival when I was 14 🥳). All of these experiences contributed to my love of dance, choreography, musicality, and expression.
I’m very grateful my parents were able to support my sister and me through all of it. For years, they drove us to UBC at 5am. so we could train before school.
All of this is really just to say: We all arrive at aerial with different backgrounds.
Mine gave me flexibility and posture, but almost no upper body strength, so I had to start from scratch in that area. (You think I’m joking, but I have proof 😜) Whatever your background may be, there’s a place for you in aerial arts.
At the end of the day, it’s just really fun to swing, spin, and suspend yourself in the air. 😊