McCoy is one of the DragonFly Aerial instructors at the Ohio Sports Academy in Springboro. The Springboro athletic facility is known for offering unique fitness opportunities – from trampoline & tumbling to the new DragonFly Aerial classes.
“I’m always looking for something different,” owner Diane Trifiro said. “We were the first gym in the country to get this program.”
>> 12 top hiking trails in Dayton and nearby
The DragonFly Aerial program was developed by Cirque du Soleil alumni and is endorsed by the head U.S. Men’s Olympic gymnastics coach. While there is definitely a daredevil aspect to dangling from the ceiling, the program curriculum has been developed with safety in mind. Students must test out of their current level before advancing to the next level to ensure they are ready for more challenging skills. And Trifiro enlisted the help of structural engineers to ensure the safety of the equipment.
“There is definitely a mental aspect as well physical, you need to trust the silks and trust yourself,” McCoy said. “You need to set your fears aside and have fun with it.”
There are DragonFly classes for children 9 and older as well as adults. An aerial bootcamp is also offered for those 16 and older.
“Anybody can do this, and I encourage anybody who is interested to try it,” McCoy said. “It can take a little time to get comfortable, but you can move at your own pace.”
And unlike long hours on a treadmill, there is never a dull moment on the silks.
“I do silks four or five times a week and it challenges you every single time,” McCoy said.
Instructors and students, alike, experience a definite sense of accomplishment as they climb higher and higher in the silks or perfect a new skill.
“And it’s so fun, it really is addicting,” McCoy said.
>> How to make the most of Dayton’s indoor bike park
DragonFly Aerial
What: Aerial silks training for children (9 and older) and adults
Where: Ohio Sports Academy, 270 Hiawatha Trail, Springboro
Info: Visit www.ohiosportsacademy.com/dragonfly-aerial.html or call 937-743-1466
CLASSES
DragonFly for Kids: Designed for ages 9-16. Utilizes a "knot," in addition to two tailed silks, to teach young flyers about leverage and counterbalance while spinning and wrapping. The class covers fundamental principles of how wraps work and proper body placement to ensure safety and injury prevention.
DragonFly for Adults: Participants are cross-trained on mixed apparatus including the aerial hoop, aerial hammock and dance trapeze. They work on choreography and performance as well as complex aerial mechanics like multi-rotational and multi-directional drops.
About the Author