Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Nelson.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
A road of twists and surprises led me to where I am now. I have a deep love of movement and dance and always sought to enjoy it wherever I could. I grew up in gymnastics, where I learned a great deal about the body in movement and training, cultivated the benefits of healthy competition, and grew in the support of a team. Not to mention making lifelong friends. However, I decided to no longer continue due to injuries, and I finished gymnastics at 18. I sought out different dance and movement styles because I couldn’t let go of what I loved. One day, a friend suggested that we try a pole dancing class. I didn’t understand what it would be like, and of course, I was intrigued.
Sure enough, it was a world that surpassed all my expectations while combining many elements of movement, dance, and performance into a new obsession. After some time, I became a licensed Massage Therapist while pursuing my new-found passion on the pole. My competitive side was ignited, and I have competed in professional pole dancing for the last 10 years.
In 2016, I opened The Moxy Movement with Sarah Child, combining lessons in pole dance, aerial lyra (hoop), and hammock, among other styles over the years. I love teaching new dancers, having a supportive community, welcoming people with different lifestyles, and joining the dance. My experience in Massage and various movement modalities provides a unique style of instruction and focus that is well-suited for anyone to start dancing or finding movement for safe longevity. We love to put on shows and perform. What can I say? We love a stage and creating that experience for my community and students. It is very novel to perform and create our original shows in our own ways.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although I have paved my way, it has been a challenging road. It has not been a solo road – I owe so much to many, and the community itself is the strength of my studio. My business partner stepped away in 2018; I was determined to grow Moxy and keep improving. Of course, having a physical-based, small business during 2020 and beyond proved challenging. There were sad times, desperate times, and moments of truly feeling I had no control over my situation or what was to come for my business and the community I loved dearly. I had such insecure feelings at times. A cherished gift was granted through that experience; however, I learned that too many wonderful people cared for and loved the aerial arts and community Moxy provided, and I was far from facing things alone. It was a “restart” for my business; I could stay patient as we built up our community and rebuilt from the blow of shutdowns and upset, unsure times for so many. Our classes and ace instructors are back, and we have never been better than we are today!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although I have paved my way, it has been a challenging road. It has not been a solo road – I owe so much to many, and the community itself is the strength of my studio. My business partner stepped away in 2018; I was determined to grow Moxy and keep improving. Of course, having a physical-based, small business during 2020 and beyond proved challenging. There were sad times, desperate times, and moments of truly feeling I had no control over my situation or what was to come for my business and the community I loved dearly. Such insecure feelings at times. A cherished gift was granted through that experience; however, I learned that too many wonderful people cared for and loved the aerial arts and community Moxy provided, and I was far from facing things alone. It was a “restart” for my business; I could stay patient as we built up our community and rebuilt from the blow of shutdowns and upset, unsure times for so many. Our classes and ace instructors are back, and we have never been better than we are today!
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is very novel. I can provide a physical space as a container for people to move and explore dance in unique ways. Moxy Studio is an invitation for people to connect with themselves in new ways and get strong, healthy, and even sassy and sexy! I have the privilege to witness people walking into my space and strutting out, seeing people find something they didn’t know was missing while finding that for myself. My art is physical and fleeting – dancing is a sculpture or visual that only lasts briefly. It is a progressive thing – I ask for the patience and consistency of my students. It is a straightforward recipe. Show up when you can, consistently, have fun, and watch yourself grow and blossom. It is such a beautiful thing. I am most known for my pole dancing performances in shows and competitions and for teaching pole and movement classes. With extensive technical training in kinesiology and alignment modalities, I blend these principles to feel and move better than ever. I love to try “bending the rules,” even in pole – asking how I can do things differently or better than I had before. The Moxy community has members of all ages, orientations, backgrounds, and lifestyles. The sports of pole dance and aerial arts invite people to explore so much about themselves and embrace their body and spirit as art in motion.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I love watching and trying different types of movement. I have not learned much, but I would love to train in some martial arts. I’ve always been fascinated by this, and I’m interested in trying styles and sports that are very different from dance and aerial arts.
Pricing:
- Moxy offers various services at varying price points.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.moxymovement.com
- Instagram: @moxymovement
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/MoxyMovement
- Youtube: @Moxy_Movement
Image Credits
Nik Saulnier
