“Put your right leg in the silk, wrap it around and now just let yourself fall!” Allison Deher told me in a calm voice, as she easily glided through the air. After a bit of struggling and sweat, I finally was flying through the air too, not as elegantly as Allison perhaps, but it felt good stretching out my legs, whilst swinging from front to back.
I had seen pictures online and heard great feedback from others who had attended Allison’s Aerial Silks Classes. Always wanting to try something new, I was excited to go and try it out for myself. The class did not disappoint. Using a large silk hammock tied to the ceiling, Alison made the workout class and its exercises a unique and fun experience.
Allison Deher grew up in Sint Maarten attending St. Dominic. At 17, she moved to The Netherlands to complete high school. In the years afterwards, Allison focused on her academics, travelled, worked on yachts and broadened her knowledge of her favourite interests: the human body and movement. This led her to obtaining an array of certificates in massage therapy, meditation, Reiki and Pilates.
Allison is back home at the moment, teaching various classes – one of which is Aerial Silks at SXM BJJ (Renzo Gracie St. Maarten) in Cole Bay. The class has quickly become very popular, which is understandable as besides being a good workout, it is a nice way to stretch, especially your back, and is a lot of fun!
How did you get into teaching Pilates?
On one of my vacations to Sint Maarten in 2006, I attended a private Pilates session by a friend that was teaching here. It was very eye opening to me. The specific and intricate movements showed me that I have a lot more control over my body than I thought. I fell in love with Pilates and looked for courses right away. I was living in Miami at the time, and found a great school affiliated with the Pilates Method Alliance. Six months later, I was a certified Pilates teacher and started working!
Why is Pilates a good workout?
It is a good workout because besides getting you in shape, it also yields a number of other benefits. The exercises focus on increased lung capacity and circulation through deep, healthy breathing. A lot of the movements focus on strength and flexibility, particularly of the abdomen and back muscles. Your posture, balance, and core strength are all increased when you do Pilates. I also notice that many persons starting and doing Pilates experience positive body awareness for the first time. Classes can be modified to all ages, and for persons who have certain injuries. Pilates teaches balance and control of the body, and that capacity spills over into other areas of one's life including mental happiness. Joseph Pilates once said: “Physical fitness is the first prerequisite of happiness.”
When did you start giving Aerial Silks Classes?
I was working in Equinox, New York. My roommate at the time was a personal trainer and performing with aerial silks. Intrigued, I slowly started experimenting with them too, and with her help, I started incorporating them into my Pilates classes.
My clients really enjoy working with the silks. It helps give you a deeper stretch, increases the challenge of the Pilates full body workout, helps you gain trust in your body and is just a lot of fun! I had been in contact with Melissa, from Renzo Gracie on Sint Maarten for a while about teaching Pilates and aerial classes. So when I decided to go back to the island for a few months, we got in contact and now I am teaching regular Aerial Silks Classes at her dojo.
What are your Aerial Silk Classes like?
Aerial Silks, Tissue or Fabric are two long pieces of soft fabric that hang from a single point. Using strength, grace and flexibility, you climb the silks and move your body into amazing and beautiful poses and shapes. Drops and slides are an exciting and fun part of what you learn in working with the silks. My classes include a warm-up, strength training, conditioning tips, and stretching. You'll learn at your own pace and interest level. Beginners will focus on proper body position, muscle usage, basic positions, and basic balances. More advanced students can learn more challenging skills, choreography and artistry, which can make you feel sexy and more like you're a dance-performer instead of doing just a workout. As your strength and confidence increase, you'll be amazed at what you are capable of doing!
Where and how can people join your Aerial Silk Classes?
I am teaching Aerial Silk Classes at SXM BJJ located on the second floor of the Comm Systems Building on 15 Wellington Rd in Cole Bay, opposite PDG restaurant supply. Class times at the moment are Mondays at 8:15pm; Tuesdays and Thursday at 9:00am and 10:00am; and Saturdays at 11:30am. More classes will be scheduled upon demand. I also do private individual or group classes, groups of three-five or more can schedule their own private class. Each class holds a maximum of five participants. The small classes make it easy for me to give everyone enough support and attention to get the most out of your workout and improve your aerial moves.
I would definitely recommend anyone who wants to experience a fun new workout to take one of Allison’s classes. She also teaches Pilates Classes at National Institute of the Arts (NIA) and is available for private Pilates classes and massage therapy sessions. Allison will be the island until the July, after which she has plans to travel to Thailand to learn Thai Massage and to Brazil to study Brazil Jiu Jitsu. Contact 1 (721) 554-1965 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
By Laura Bijnsdorp
