Hi Reader,

Sarah here! Today I am sharing some personal news and reflections on a seemingly hot topic for many aerialists.

My personal news is that we are expecting a baby to arrive this summer. I've had quite a journey around this, and had some amazing discussions with other aerialists because of that.

We talked a lot about this topic on our IG stories last week, and I was blown away at how much our community had to say on this subject (you!). In today’s newsletter I’m sharing some of my own back story, the behind the scenes before getting pregnant and the topsy turvy road that it can be. (even for those who’ve had a more straightforward journey)

I hope that sharing my story can help other aerialists in that weird time of deciding about motherhood.

​
​

Motherhood?

Are you afraid to be a mother for fear of losing what you love?

-By Sarah Bebe Holmes

Aerial arts or motherhood. Do I have to choose?

​
I envy people who have 100% unwavering clarity on whether or not they want to be parents. The uncertainty can be incredibly tortuous. For the past four years, I've often found myself yearning for that kind of clarity, which may seem odd once you hear about the experiences I've had during this period. I'll share a part of it with you, and based on recent conversations with other aerialists, it seems like this is a ripe topic for discussion. So, let's delve into it.

Embarking on the journey to motherhood is a huge decision no matter who you are. It’s a game of surrender and the reward of love. But how much do we let go of in our surrender? Let me rephrase that: how much do we lose? Even though we have mothers everywhere to look to and see how they do it, it feels impossible to know how it will be FOR YOU.

Now compound this life changing decision with the added layer that you are an aerialist. What does that matter? There are several aspects that are in conflict between doing aerial and being a mother.

Body Freedom

"Body Freedom" is a term that captures the essence of having unrestricted access to your body and the freedom to use it as you please. Welcoming a baby into your life can temporarily compromise this freedom, especially in terms of maintaining peak physical fitness. The process of regaining strength and fitness after childbirth entails a significant comeback period. The effort required to resume and advance in your physical capabilities is substantial. The question that arises: are you willing to take on that kind of setback?

The Lifestyle

Being an aerialist entails a wealth of exciting experiences, including gigs, travel, retreats, workshops, and meet-ups. The question that naturally arises is whether it's feasible to continue participating in these activities with a baby in tow. Can you seamlessly integrate your little one into the dynamic lifestyle of an aerialist, balancing the demands of parenthood with the pursuit of your passion?

Finances

Financial stress has consistently been a factor influencing people's decisions regarding parenthood, and this holds true in our industry as well. When your costs go up with your wee one, not only might you have to defend your time in going to aerial class, but also justify the cost. If you are an instructor or performer, how will you manage financially while pregnant and in the first months. Freelancers, at least in the States don’t get maternity pay and in many countries there is varying degree of support. How will you manage?

Interested in reading more? To read Sarah’s full story, check out the blog on our website.

Follow us on

​​​​