Sara Feld
Calendar Editor
Relying solely on their training and skill, aerial art acrobats hang from a fabric or material while flying or swinging through the air. Requiring strength, flexibility, and grace, Aerial arts allows its performers to explore space in three dimensions.
Spinning and twirling, Tofler has been doing aerial arts since she was 8 years old. Influenced by her mom, Lisa Tofler, Tofler was inspired to do aerial arts and has loved it ever since.
“I love seeing the beauty in all different sorts of art forms,” Tofler said. “I like how anyone can do it and that it isn’t just for tall people or short people. It is nice because you work at your strength and it is something that if you practice a lot it will pay off.”
Like any other sport or hobby, practice makes perfect. According to Tofler, with years of practice it has made her more tolerant to the pain that comes with beginning this hobby.
“When I was younger I didn’t enjoy it as much,” Tofler said.”I would cry every time I did it because it hurt so badly. There was a certain amount of pain I had to overcome whether it was soreness or bruises from falling. Now, I am more comfortable and pain-free. This allows me to feel pretty and have lots of fun while doing aerial arts at home, a studio or on stage.”
Unlike most sports played on the common field or in the gym, Tofler practices at home and at a studio.
“I practice at home usually at night and at a studio in Inglewood. I have a rigg at my house which is a wooden beam that you suspend fabric from.” Tofler said.
Different from normal talent show acts, Tofler performed her aerial arts at the Mira Costa annual Talent Show. According to Tofler, she was anxious to perform in front of a large crowd.
“Her act was very exciting and intriguing to watch,” Sophomore Chloe Smith said. “It was completely unexpected and different then most of the acts that performed. She seemed very comfortable on stage doing something that looked slightly dangerous.”
Performing in front of her friends and peers at the talent show, Tofler was very excited. Overall, she was pleased that everything worked out.
“I had the butterflies before I went on stage,” Tofler said. “Every other minute I would ask how much longer till I was up. When I was performing I felt very focused because I really didn’t want to fall.”
With just the swinging of a rope can guide someone in the direction of their future life. Although there are not many careers that are correlated with this activity, it is still a hobby that is very fun according to Tofler.
“I would love to continue to do this in my future because it is something that I really love to do. I always have lots of fun and I have a lot of potential and room for improvement.” Tofler said.
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