In conversation with Maya Hart | Images by Sky Sirens Creative Team

Sarah is sat in a side-sit position on a white lyra wearing a long-sleeve metallic pink bodysuit and looking into the distance. She has shoulder-length wavy black hair and snake-skin boots.

Introduce yourself.

I moved to Australia at the end of 2019 from San Francisco. By day,  I am a software engineer working in accessibility. By evening, I am either here at Sky Sirens doing aerials and handstands, or off doing gymnastics!

I started learning aerials when I had the worst relationship with my body. During this time, exercise had seemed too intimidating for me to try. I decided to try out an aerial yoga class in San Francisco - and it was so fun. This experience led to trying out Pole as well. My classes were all about embracing your sensuality in a safe place

When I moved to Australia, I found a gymnastics teacher that specialises in teaching adults. Ultimately, I ended up finding Sky Sirens - the most beginner friendly studio I have ever been to before. These days, I mostly do Lyra classes at Sky Sirens, but I also take on Pole and Floor classes every once in a while.

How do you identify?

This is a hard question for me to answer!

I’ve oscillated between the end of straight size and the start of plus size for a long time - and the identities feel so binary. I usually self-describe as ‘curvy’.

I’ve always been sort of ‘small fat’. So, I don’t experience the same discrimination that other, larger people do. I’ve fluctuated between different sizes, and this means that whether I am able to shop in “normal” stores or if I have to find something online depends on where my weight sits each year.

How has your experience been as a Plus Size student at Sky Sirens?

Throughout my journey at Sky Sirens, I have had some standout instructors who have taught me a lot. Some of these instructors have pointed out that even when my technique is perfect, some moves are simply not possible to achieve in a larger body. When I can’t achieve a move, I have to ask myself: is it anatomy? Is it technique? Is it strength? I really value when instructors are able to tell me and provide modifications that are more suitable to my body type.


Sarah is posing in a lyra, lunging out of the center with her back foot hooked on the bottom bar. Her bodysuit is metallic pink with a low cut V-neck, with a corset tie across the neckline.
Sarah is posing in a headstand position with her legs stagged - one leg bent forward, and one bent backwards. She is holding onto her black hair.
Sarah is posing behind a white lyra, holding onto the bottom bar of the hoop. She is wearing a long-sleeve metallic bodysuit, and she has snake-skin boots. Sarah has shoulder-length black hair, and classically styled makeup.