As a former student (just recently graduated), full-time therapist, part-time makeup artist, and dedicated mom and wife, my life is a constant juggling act of responsibilities, deadlines, and family needs. In the midst of pouring into everyone and everything else, I realized I needed something that was just for me.
In September 2023, I signed up for my first aerial arts class, nervous but curious. What I didn’t expect was how quickly it would spark something inside me, a sense of strength, freedom, and confidence I hadn’t felt in years.
As I built physical strength and body awareness through aerial arts, I found myself becoming emotionally stronger, too. Eventually, my journey evolved, and I progressed into aerial Lyra, a steel hoop suspended in the air that brought an entirely new level of challenge and beauty.
Lyra quickly became more than just a hobby; it became my form of therapy. In the air, I found stillness. I found power in vulnerability, joy in movement, and pride in showing up for myself.
Aerial arts have transformed the way I see myself; it has rebuilt my self-esteem, deepened my confidence, and helped me reconnect with my body in a way that feels empowering and sacred.
The studio where I train has become my safe place, a space where I can be vulnerable, strong, and completely myself. It’s the only studio in Berks County offering this kind of training, and being part of this unique, supportive community has made the experience even more meaningful. The studio is called Go Getter Movement Studio, located in Hamburg, PA.
Through every class, I’ve learned to give myself grace, celebrate progress, and read into discomfort as a space for growth. Lyra has grounded me during times when life felt chaotic, giving me a creative and emotional outlet that fuels every other part of my life.
What started as a small step back in 2023 has grown into a deeply transformative journey in aerial arts, one that continues to shape me into the woman I am proud to be today.
Kiara Natal
