Recently, one of our new instructors came to me with something many of us in the aerial community experience: she was struggling to maintain her own training now that she'd transitioned from student to teacher. The time she once devoted to taking challenging classes was now filled with teaching—and while teaching absolutely refines our basics and builds conditioning, it's not quite the same as being pushed to your personal edge in a class that challenges your current level.
This conversation sparked something important: a reminder that we all need to actively identify and nurture what motivates us to keep training, especially when life circumstances shift.
The Many Faces of Motivation
What drives you to climb that silk, to perfect that drop, to show up week after week? The beautiful truth is that motivation looks different for everyone who walks through our doors.
For some, it's the spotlight. The passion to perform drives every training session. Each new skill becomes part of a future routine, every practice a step toward sharing beauty and artistry with an audience.
For many, it's about goal-setting and achievement. There's something powerful about identifying a trick you can't do yet, breaking it down, working systematically toward it, and finally nailing it. These aerial artists thrive on that personal growth trajectory.
For others, it's the community. The friendships formed, the supportive environment, the shared struggles and celebrations—this is what keeps them coming back. Aerial becomes their people, their tribe, their chosen family.
And for some, aerial becomes a career pathway. What starts as a hobby transforms into a livelihood. The motivation shifts to building a skill set robust enough to teach multiple times per week, to choreograph, to open doors professionally.
One of our longtime students captured another dimension beautifully when she told me she loves aerial because "it works out my brain as much as my body." As she continues to age, she wants to stay sharp both mentally and physically, and aerial delivers both while being genuinely fun—especially alongside friends in her class.
My Personal Why
For me, my aerial journey interweaves several motivators. I'm passionate about sharing Jesus with our community and the younger generation, which I get to do through public performances and teaching at the studio. I'm motivated by how aerial helps me manage my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome symptoms and maintain my health despite chronic challenges. And honestly? I'm a natural performer who finds deep joy in bringing happiness to others through aerial artistry.
What Motivates Our Younger Aerialists
Children often have their own unique motivators that are just as valid and important:
- The pure joy of flight. Many kids simply love how it feels to be suspended in the air—that magical sensation of defying gravity.
- Friendship and belonging. The bonds formed in class become powerful motivators. They look forward to seeing their aerial friends each week.
- Feeling seen and valued. When a teacher truly connects with a child, notices their efforts, and celebrates their progress, it creates a motivation that transcends the physical practice.
- The performance bug or competitive spirit. Some children light up at the prospect of performing or competing, working toward awards and recognition for their achievements.
The Science Behind Staying Motivated
Research consistently shows that intrinsic motivation—doing something because it's inherently rewarding—leads to better long-term adherence than extrinsic motivation alone. Studies on exercise adherence reveal that people who find personal meaning in their physical activity are significantly more likely to maintain it over time.
For children specifically, research published in pediatric sports science journals shows that enjoyment, perceived competence, and social connection are the three strongest predictors of continued participation in physical activities. Interestingly, kids who participate in activities that challenge them cognitively as well as physically (like aerial arts, which requires spatial awareness, sequencing, and problem-solving) show increased engagement and persistence.
For adults, the motivation equation often involves multiple factors working together. A landmark study in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology found that adults who identified at least three different reasons for exercising were twice as likely to maintain their fitness routine long-term compared to those with a single motivator.
Navigating the Holiday Season
As we head into the holiday months, many of you might be wondering how to maintain your aerial practice when your calendar is suddenly packed with parties, shopping, travel, and family obligations. Here are some strategies that actually work:
Reframe your expectations. During busy seasons, maintenance is success. You don't have to progress every single week. Showing up and keeping your body familiar with movement is valuable.
Schedule it like any other commitment. Put your aerial classes or training sessions in your calendar first, then build other activities around them. What gets scheduled gets done.
Use the buddy system. Partner with an aerial friend to help keep each other accountable. Text each other before class. Make plans to train together during open gym times.
Focus on why, not what. On days when motivation wanes, reconnect with your deeper reasons for training. Are you here for community? For your health? To perform? Let that bigger purpose pull you through temporary resistance.
Give yourself permission for flexibility. Maybe during December, you attend one class per week instead of two. Some aerial is better than no aerial.
Celebrate showing up. Acknowledge every time you make it to class during this hectic season. That alone is a win worth recognizing.
Finding Your Motivation at Eternal Aerial Arts
We hope that here at Eternal Aerial Arts, we provide what each person needs to stay motivated and engaged. Whether you're drawn by performance opportunities, inspired by personal goal achievement, nurtured by community, challenged intellectually and physically, or driven by faith and purpose—we want to support your unique journey.
If you're not finding what you need, please reach out to me or your instructor. We want to come alongside you, help you identify what drives you, and support you in staying motivated and strong as you reach toward your goals.
Exciting Opportunities Ahead
Speaking of motivation, we have two incredible opportunities for those of you who are driven by performance and competition:
Registration is now open for training as part of an ensemble for our February invitational competition, which will be held right here at our studio! This is a fantastic opportunity to work collaboratively, push your skills, and experience the thrill of competitive performance in a supportive home environment.
Learn More About This Opportunity Here
We're also launching a new competition program in December for aerialists motivated by the competitive experience. If you're interested in solo work for competition in the USAAO and/or Aerialympics competitions, this program will provide structured training, choreography support, and opportunities to build and showcase your skills.
COMPETITION PROGRAM INFORMATION
Your Aerial Journey, Your Motivation
At the end of the day, your aerial practice is yours. The motivation that works for someone else might not resonate with you—and that's perfectly okay. What matters is discovering what makes you want to climb that apparatus, what keeps you coming back even on hard days, what you find meaningful enough to invest your time and energy.
Your motivation might evolve over time. What starts as a fitness goal might become about community. What begins as curiosity might transform into a passion for performance. Stay open to the journey.
And remember: every time you show up, every time you try that challenging skill again, every time you encourage a classmate or celebrate a small victory—you're honoring your why, whatever that may be.
We're so grateful to be part of your aerial journey. See you in the air!
With joy and encouragement,
Peggy Ployhar
Owner, Eternal Aerial Arts
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