Carrboro dance studio teaches aerial gymnastics

David Jones has always enjoyed rock climbing.

But when his wife took a course in silks — a form of aerial gymnastics — Jones was intrigued and decided to try a new kind of climbing. He has been taking classes at The Flowjo, an aerial dance studio in Carrboro, for about a year.

This Saturday, Jones performed in The Flowjo’s aerial and circus showcase, “Polka Dots, Robots and Bears oh my!”

In this show, instructors and advanced students — as young as seven or eight years old — performed routines on apparatuses like aerial rings, trapezes and silks.

Sara Beth Hess, one of the youngest students and performers at The Flowjo, said she wanted to take classes because one of her friends was enrolled and she thought it would be fun to do it, too.

Hess said she counts performing as the most exciting part of the process — but training is somewhat challenging.

She was one of several young performers at the event.

Ron Riggle said he enjoyed watching his 14-year-old daughter Sydney perform Saturday.

Riggle said his daughter started taking aerial dance classes at The Flowjo about a year ago and has been hooked on it ever since.

“It’s graceful and athletic — I just think that combination is very beautiful,” said Sara Riggle, Sydney’s mother.

Julia Hartsell, owner of The Flowjo, said performers enjoy stretching their own limits of grace, body, imagination and style.

Saturday’s performance was complete with bright colors and elaborate costumes.

In keeping with the performance’s vibrancy, Hartsell said the audience was encouraged to make a lot of noise.

“The performers are highly trained, so they will not fall out of the sky with a little extra applause,” she said.

Hartsell said the performers are trained in choreography, and many design their own routines.

Two pairs of performers — including Hess — chose to choreograph pieces to honor friendships made at The Flowjo.

Hartsell said the studio, which opened in March 2011, does not profit from the shows. Instead, all of the money is invested in The Flowjo and its programs.

Jones said performing requires strength, which comes with practice.

Jones said practicing at The Flowjo is a highlight of the week.

“After a week of everything going wrong and stress building up, I come here and just climb.”

Jones said he sees The Flowjo as his sanctuary.

“I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”

Contact the desk editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.