LOUISVILLE, Ky. — “New year, new me” is a phrase commonly heard around this time of year. Many will work on improving their physical health and hit the gym at the beginning of the year. But there are other ways to improve yourself other than lifting weights and turning on the treadmill.
For Lacee Pyles, flipping upside down is now routine as part of her aerial arts practice.
“Everything that we do here is hard and we find joy in it. We find fun in it. I have a fear of heights, but I will still get out there and I will still do drops and hangs and all of that,” Pyles says.
Before learning to twist and flip her way through the air, Pyles says she couldn’t do a pullup. Now, she can do five. Engaging in aerial arts and cirque fitness has helped her strengthen her muscles and mentality.
“Your feet don’t normally want to hang here on a steel bar, but we train through the pain of this and get our bodies comfortable and used to it. And so that we know that we can do hard things,” Pyles says.
For approximately two years, Pyles has been challenging her body and mind. Aerial arts use strength and flexibility to “dance in the air.” Her comfort zone has expanded both inside and outside the studio.
The day Spectrum News 1 caught up with her, Pyles was filming an audition for the hit reality TV show “Survivor.” Being a contestant on the show would fulfill one of Pyles’ dreams, but hanging on silks and showing gravity what she is made of is another childhood dream.
“My next-door neighbor did Circus, and I remember running in the house and telling my mom that I wanted to join the circus. My mom’s worst nightmare. And then I suppressed those dreams forever. And then I knew about Suspend, and my friend was like, I’m taking classes tonight. And I was like, All right, I’ll sign up,” she shared.
Climbing, hanging and swinging are reasons studio manager Kara Hancock gave this physical art form a whirl.
“It doesn’t feel like going to the gym and lifting weights or going out for a run, where you’re like, ‘Ugh! When is this going to end?’ You’re like, man, class is already over. But I was just getting that,” Hancock says. “And that’s what’s wonderful about it, is it’s a way to have fun. It feels like playing.”
Before jumping all in, Hancock didn’t believe she had what it took to fly through the air. She suspended those ideas and tried any way — a lesson she hopes others will also learn.
“It’s here for everybody and everyone’s really wonderful and supportive of each other. And it’s a real sense of community because you know how hard something is. And so when someone finally gets it, you’re like, ready to cheer them on,” she shared.
Muscle soreness, which Hancock says can be gratifying, isn’t the only feeling to stick around after leaving the silks.
“That kind of constant reminder as you move throughout the day and we’re always screaming at our students, Point your feet, put your toes. I notice myself, like if I’m getting out of bed in the morning, I’m pointing my feet as I put my little feet on the ground because it starts to become innate,” she explained.
Pyles has seen other parts of her life change.
“I have gained a lot of self-confidence and body awareness and amazing friends. And just like one of the best supportive communities I’ve ever encountered,” Pyles said.
Suspend Louisville offers numerous classes, including trapeze, aerial yoga and youth classes.