The Tough Lotus Story

Hi. My name is Marnie Valliere and I am the creator of Tough Lotus Aerial Group Fitness and Personal Training Studio.  My curiosity with aerial apparatus started seven years ago when I received my first aerial swing.   I didn’t have any specific objectives, it simply looked fun and different (and I like fun and different).  It’s probably helpful for you to know that I will do almost anything to avoid the gym’s weight room.  Not that I was looking to become a body builder, but I understood that resistance training was key.

At the same time, I had a brand new baby and started training for sprint distance triathlons to get into shape.  I had no real athletic background to speak of.   I was not a runner, a cyclist or a particularly strong swimmer—nor did I love any of those sports at the time.  What I did have was curiosity and a competitive spirit.  I soon realized that the swing was a lot like doing yoga in the air and it felt awesome.  I also noticed very quickly that every muscle in my body became more flexible and stronger. I even learned to enjoy swimming, cycling and running because I could easily see progress and I am an “instant gratification” person.  My training rarely exceeded 8 hours a week, all said and done.  In 2009/2010, I was ranked in top 3% of women age group triathletes in the country.  No background and not a lot of time.

Slowly, triathlons became less of a focus and aerial art became more of a focus for me.  I took up trapeze, learned aerial hammocks and continued to figure out ways to use a little piece of fabric and gravity to change my body.  I have never gotten bored, I have never been injured and I always know I am seconds away from being totally muscularly engaged or 100% relaxed.  My objective in opening Tough Lotus is to share all of these wonderful benefits with the world!

Come Fly with us!