Rochester, N.Y. -- Maybe you've been entertained watching it in Cirque du Soliel. Or were wowed watching singer Pink during her performance at the Grammys. We're talking about aerial arts.
"It's not only a great form of entertainment. It's also a great form of exercise," says Toni Natalie. Aerial Arts has transformed her mentally and physically. Looking at her you'd never guess she is in her 50's. She's not a long time athlete. In fact, diagnosed with fibromyalgia, she was in constant pain and was not supposed to lift more than 5 pounds. A little over a year ago she found William D'Ovidio at Aerial Arts of Rochester.
"The first thing I said to him was they told me I'm never going to be able to do anything, I'm never going to have any muscle tone, I am supposed to go on disability, what can you do for me? He slowly started to work with me and I am here to say that i am completely pain free."
William D'Ovidio describes it as, "a combination of pliometric, isometric and just a lot of muscle confusion." He owns the business, teaches and performs - all with his wife Jennifer who is a native of Henrietta. Aerial Arts is in Artisan Works in Rochester and has students of all ages and abilities.
Jennifer D'Ovidio says, "It's going to get you in shape but then it's going to keep you in shape for a longer period of time. It's going to work on those parts of the body that women have a hard time targeting which is the core and the upper body and just overall."
They make it look easy, but it's a challenge... a fun challenge. If it looks interesting to you, consider signing up for their Cirque Fitness Challenge starting in the new year where they select 8 people and train them for free for 12 weeks.
"I want people that are real, not bodybuilders," says William. "I want to transform people from their normal daily grind into someone hopefully like Toni."
Toni is now reaping the benefits. "To be out of pain, it's priceless. It really is," she says.
For more information about the Cirque Fitness Challenge, go to:
http://www.aerialartsrochester.com/challenge.php
