Pregnancy and Aerial Arts

Written by Momentum Student Alex Cohen Gray

Alex (kneeling in foreground, left) performs choreography in a lyra dance for a Momentum Aerial student showcase.

Finding Momentum Aerial was life changing: no, this is not hyperbole, this is truth. Momentum got me moving in ways I never thought I had the grace to move in, it got me feeling stronger in ways I had never believed possible, and it sent my confidence soaring.

I wanted it all in my first aerial arts semester; I wanted a taste of everything. I signed up for Silks and Lyra and was over joyed in my experience, and then continued on in Lyra and started Trapeze the following semester. I can’t emphasize enough how strong and powerful being in the air made me feel. I think I went home every night after class and described, in depth, every move I learned to my husband. I couldn’t help myself from attempting to show him how I had to put my hand here, foot there, on an invisible apparatus, while he stared at me perplexed.

Not only was I experiencing an awakening, of sorts, in what my body was capable of, I was also discovering a network of new friends and allies in my journey. Two of the most prominent being: Joanie and Morgan. Joanie’s attitude of acceptance and love was clear from day one. I felt that she would meet me where I was at, no shame, and help me to learn whole new ways to move my body. Morgan spoke to my engineer brain, explaining every move and detail in what to do, so I felt no fear. Not to mention Morgan’s demeanor, which is this steadfast “you can do it”, this mentality of no doubt… how could you not, in turn, rise to the occasion?

I found out that I was pregnant in early September of 2019, and I am not going to lie, one of the first things I googled was: “Can you do aerial arts pregnant?”. My OBGYN and my midwife gave me suspicious looks (especially given the nature of my high-risk pregnancy) but backed me, because the saying is, “what you do before you are pregnant you can keep doing while you are pregnant”. 

Joanie and Morgan were the first people (other than my husband) who found out I was pregnant. I figured they should know ASAP so that we could discuss my semester and how it would change any moves or expectations for the course. They were experts and professionals at every turn. I felt like they wanted to know and understand the changes in my core and physicality so that they could adapt anything if needed. Though, of course, their expertise made me feel very safe, it was their love and care for me (and the little nugget) that was evident from the start that made aerial while pregnant so enjoyable.

As my belly got bigger I, of course, felt changes in my body, odd little things and shifts, that start to make your body feel foreign. Doing aerial allowed me to stay connected to my body and the changes within it. Allowing me to not “lose” my body or my mental state in the process. In fact, my early pregnancy is probably the strongest I have ever been in my life. I was always one of those people who didn’t want a baby to “change me”… Foolish I know… I have been changed in countless ways! But I do think there is truth in not wanting to “lose myself”, and I think aerial helped me hold on to bits of “Alex” in that first half of pregnancy that carried so many challenges along the way. 

I chose not to continue Lyra and Trapeze past 24 weeks, but continued all the way to 32 weeks with aerial yoga, which was a life saver once that little nugget started pushing my ribs and organs in any which way he pleased. Shout out to Momentum’s aerial yoga teacher and physical therapist Amy Flory as well for all her support! She is so stinkin’ good at what she does. Doing yoga with her felt safe because of all her professional know-how, and allowed me continue pretty much until the end of my pregnancy.

Momentum, and all the people encompassed within that glorious organization, empowered me before pregnancy, through pregnancy, and I am sure will continue to after pregnancy. 

I can’t wait to fly again.