Small acts of self-care

How do you regulate your emotions in your aerial training?

One thing that we can habitually overlook in our aerial practice is how to regulate our emotional responses to the rigours of an artform that is as athletically demanding as it is aesthetic. I've often observed myself (and my students) spiraling into self-criticism about progress that is rarely helpful.

In this month's blog, I talk about the value of setting a simple intention for an act of self-care every time you train. This derives from my experiences working with a psychotherapist to co-devise aerial sessions for young people with mental health challenges, part of Arts Boost, a pilot scheme researching the "transformative power of the arts to reduce psychological distress" and promote emotional resilience.