A FLINTSHIRE woman who founded an aerial fitness group after it helped her overcome post-natal depression is looking to raise vital funds for new equipment.
Tiesha Mealor, from Mold, started learning aerial hoop just over eight years ago. She said aerial fitness demands the strength of gymnastics, the focus of yoga and gets the heart racing faster than any treadmill whilst learning amazing skills.
During the Covid pandemic, Tiesha focused all her attention on starting her own aerial fitness studio as she battled severe mental health issues.
The 31-year-old said: "During Covid I had a wonderful baby boy and unfortunately suffered severe postnatal depression and anxiety. Piling on over five stone I was unfit, physically and mentally. I knew I needed to focus my energy into a project that would bring me both an improved level of fitness, a strong social surrounding and a space I could offer a great support for other women and children.
"That's when Inversion Aerial Fitness was born. I opened Inversion up in Flint in November 2021 and have never looked back."
Since opening, it now operates five days a week and attracts around 60 people - teaching all abilities from age five to adult, the oldest of whom is 69.
Tiesha said: "We have the most caring and supportive community. It has helped my recovery from my depression and anxiety, I've lost over four stone of body fat and I have helped other women do exactly the same.
"It's not been an easy ride though, the main thing being our studio roof. The roof leaking has damaged our flooring and some equipment including safety equipment of crash mats."
This Saturday (November 18), Inversion Aerial Fitness is putting on a student showcase to raise funds to purchase new equipment. It takes place at Holywell Leisure Centre from 1pm.
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Tickets are priced at £10, and free for under 5s. They can be bought by messaging Inversion Aerial Fitness' Facebook/Instagram pages.
Tiesha said: "With the rising cost of commercial premises, rates and utilities along with our need to have a lot of height the right premises just hasn't come along.
"And we do not want to increase our outgoings as it would be unfair on our students and their families to increase costs of classes. We are Flintshire's only family friendly aerial studio and we wish to encourage more people to try and get fit, meet like-minded friends and have fun in the most 'showman cirque du soleil' way possible.
"I want to make Inversion Aerial Fitness accessible for everyone."
Tiesha said that whilst it can sound daunting, aerial classes are scaled appropriately so that anyone can safely enjoy it - irrespective of their lack of experience, body shape or fitness level.
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