Today we’d like to introduce you to Hanna Denham.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My journey started about ten years ago when I was working in the fashion industry. I grew incredibly tired of the push and pressure to be a certain way. I watched girls become unhealthy and unhappy teaching higher and higher for approval. I became sickened with my world and decided to search for a more meaningful life. I was out of shape and unhealthy myself at the time when I stumbled upon a circus training school named “Sophia Isadora Circus Academy”. I walked in one evening to check things out and it was magical. There were girls hanging from their ankles on the trapeze along with people climbing fabric and and a pair doing a synchronized contortion routine off to the back corner. The Owner flagged me down and asked me what she could do for me. I said I was interested in classes. She said “alright well what can you do?”. I shyly glanced over my shoulder and said “maybe that over there, as I pointed to the other students climbing the chiffons”. She replied “that’s advanced level” with an eyebrow gesture. I became a bit self conscious with a brief sigh of embarrassment. She began to tell me I could try a beginner class the following week. She was not trying to sell me at all. In fact, I felt as though I was wasting her time because she had more talent than I could dream of in that space.
So, I gathered my courage and put on some tights for the first time since I was a kiddy and walked to my class the following week. I did absolutely awful in class. I had zero body strength and hadn’t worked out a day in my life. However, I was 100% in love and felt I had found what makes my heartbeat in this world. I don’t think I could really explain exactly the feeling I had. It was as though every disappointment and irritation I had suddenly felt so small compared to what I desired to accomplish in this field. Just remember, I truly was awful and could barely get through the class! But I kept going. Little did I know, that the owner would end up being my coach and mentor for the next 10 years of my life. Showing me even more what I am made of and what my true passion and purpose was. About 3-4 years later, I had progressed quite a bit. Starting a circus craft at 18 is not recommended or pursued by most. I would work 8 hours a day at a coffee shop and spend the next 4-5 hours a day training. The owner had realized I wasn’t going to quit at this point. She then had asked me if I would be interested in teaching a beginner class. I had never in my life considered myself a teacher in any way and the thought frightened me to my core. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself and I didn’t feel my skill was in an impressive place. Only having trained some years I was not confident in my ability. But Cheryl pushed me a bit more and so I did it.
Now, this marks another eye-widening moment for me. Because as I was thrown into trying yet another skill I couldn’t comprehend I fell in love once again. Teaching gave me understanding, humility, and taught me to care for those working toward a goal. Just as I was doing I could relate with them and began to really love my students and their journey. I took there struggles on as my own and we faced it all together. I wanted to believe in them just as my coach was doing for me. I didn’t know I’d go on teaching for the next seven years. I didn’t know I’d turn it into my own business. I did know that it gave me a real reason and purpose to be better always. For my students and for myself. I became a Certified Personal Trainer through my journey and took students on to teach them how to get in shape and also become more flexible. I guess I haven’t told you yet what I ended up focusing on in circus. I am a hand-balancing contortionist. I have achieved many great things in my journey so far. Things I never knew were possible. I owe it all to my amazing coaches who believed in me and got me through the hard times. These skills are no small joke and you cannot train on your own. The injuries are high and the skills are tedious. I have performed my act hundreds of times to this day. I am currently on contract with “Fern Street Circus”. My studio is called “Art In Flexion” our slogan always states “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”. I give my students the best of me. I definitely live to help them live better lives and meet their goals. I will always be their largest fans and push them when needed. I’ve been blessed to learn many amazing things about the body and anatomy by my mentor and coach Ken Taylor who is a massage therapist with a special combination of skills. He comes and checks in on my students from time to time. I am so grateful for everything in my life and want to continue to spread the desire to be better and keep learning. As life is nothing without those things.
Thank you.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The struggles come in waves and levels. My struggles the first five years were maintaining enough income to train and pay rent. So, few people actually start circus late in life and are successful. I believed in myself and that’s really all I had. I barely got by with my jobs and being exhausted from endless training hours. Then, once I was able to quit my job and teach, things were still rough but better. Then, taking the plunge to perform full time took SO many years to accomplish. Circus is about failure. You will spend 7-8 years perfecting one single movement. That lasts about 3 seconds. Then moving to the next movement/trick that is about the same. So, it is about failing over and over again. Which makes you appreciate the small victories. And also makes you respect the art more. Then, once I started teaching, I really struggled to find students that took things seriously. It’s not an easy art to commit to but I truly felt if I kept looking I’d find the right students. Students that really wanted to accomplish change.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Art In Flexion story. Tell us more about it.
I am a Hand Balancing Contortionist as well as Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Medical Exercise Specialist. My program is a mixture of all these things.
My business “Art In Flexion” is based on being strong enough in good posture to apply the intense skills from contortion and hand balancing. We train to strengthen our skeletal system and mostly understand the body and how it works. I have students that also teach other various skills and they are able to apply it to be better teachers themselves. Overall, the quality of life is better when you are strong and feel strong. When a student comes to me, I tackle the weaknesses I see in their posture. We do everything slowly and in good time as what is most important to me is the health of their bodies.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
The luck I have had in completely about my coaches. Without them, I don’t know who I’d be. They gave me the gifts I get to enjoy now and share with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: Artinflexion.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Artinflexion
Image Credit:
Adam Ghahate, Alex Montone, Heidi Hart
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