Neurodiversity, Pole & Aerial: A Match Made in Heaven
Hey there, beautiful humans! ✨
Right… you know how sometimes your brain just goes OFF and completely does its own thing? Like when you’re trying to focus on one task but your mind’s already planning next week’s meals, or the 500 other tasks that you’ve forgotten to do. Or how certain sounds make you want to either melt into a puddle or just scream? Frustrating isn’t it? Well, welcome to the wonderful world of neurodiversity – where brains come in all shapes, sizes, and operating systems!
Here at Inversion, we’re not just about impressive tricks and strength building (though let’s be honest, those are pretty great too). We’re about creating a space where EVERY kind of brain (and body) is welcome. over the years, this has led to us seeing a large number of Neurodivergent individuals come through our doors. And something wonderful happened… they all stayed! Neurodivergent folks now form a significant portion of our student community and we hear so many stories from our members about how Pole & Aerial has helped them. So we thought we would share some of the ‘why’ with you along, with how we adapt for each individual. You will also hear from our students themselves, along with some words from Lucy and Jess, the Neurospicy besties that run everything behind the scenes.
So, whether you have ADHD, autism, sensory processing differences, or any other neurotype – our aerial fam has a spot waiting just for you.
Cat – autistic and pole obsessed!
”I started pole dancing a year ago when I needed something to help me out of seasonal depression and it’s safe to say I immediately became obsessed! I love how most people have some sort of quirks and everything is accepted and having a neurodiverse instructor means she totally understands when she tells me to move my arm and I’m moving my leg or my body is doing something totally different to what I think it is! I have a pole at home and I use it most nights to feel calm and regulated and have fun after a hard day at work. I love to dance and having a pole takes away that awkward feeling of what to do with your arms! I have worked with children with autism for a long time and have a theory that a lot of neurodiverse people are attracted to pole and other aerial sports for the proprioceptive sensory stimulation, much like many autistic children have swings and hammocks in their houses these days. I can honestly say that pole has changed my life for the better and I plan to continue as long as my body will let me.”
Why Pole & Aerial is Neurodivergent Heaven
Let’s talk about WHY hanging upside down from fabric or spinning around a pole might actually be the perfect activity for many neurodivergent brains:
Proprioceptive Input = Brain Bliss
If you’re someone who seeks deep pressure or craves sensory input, Pole & Aerial are essentially a full-body hug machine. The pressure from silks, hoop or a pole against your body provides consistent, predictable sensory feedback that many neurodivergent folks find regulating. It’s like weighted blankets, but with exertion!
Patterns, Sequences, and Delicious Repetition
Many neurodivergent people (looking at you, autistic pals!) thrive on patterns and sequences. Aerial routines & combos are be broken down into precise, repeatable movements – perfect for brains that love order and predictability. Plus, you can repeat your favourite moves as many times as you want, and nobody will call it stimming (even though it pretty much is!).
Hyper-Focus Finding Its Happy Place
When your brain hyper-focuses on something you love, MAGIC happens. Many of our ADHD members tell us that aerial is one of the few activities where time stops, background noise fades, and they’re fully present. That’s because aerial demands your complete attention and engages all of your senses.
Expression Without Words
Not everyone communicates best through speech. Pole & Aerial offer a way to express yourself through movement when words just aren’t cutting it. Your body gets to tell stories in its own language. The learning process also includes every learning type, visual, audio and kinesthetic… all at once!
Juicy, Lovely Dopamine
Pole and aerial deliver immediate dopamine hits that neurodivergent brains crave. The thrill of mastering a new move provides instant neurochemical rewards rather than distant payoffs. For those whose brains process rewards differently (lookin’ at you, ADHD folk!), these consistent, tangible wins satisfy dopamine-seeking pathways in ways many traditional activities simply can’t match.
Pol – They/them: Autism, ADHD and PTSD
”I love aerial at inversion because it’s one of the few studios that has made me feel accepted despite my differences. I struggle with my sensory processing, which means I can often find proprioceptive (knowing where my body is in space) and vestibular (balance) coordination difficult. This means that exercise always felt like a punishment or an embarrassment for me. But training here feels like a really caring community and Char is wonderfully supportive and accepting when I need adaptions or struggle with something. I also love that aerial provides me with movements which can feel a lot like stimming (spinning, hanging upside down, twisting and stretching). It helps me feel connected to my body and more regulated.”
How We Make Our Studio Work for All Brains
We’re not perfect (who is?), but we’re genuinely committed to making adjustments so everyone can fly comfortably, here’s how:
Choose Your Own Learning Adventure
- Visual learners: Our instructors will demo moves slowly as many times as you need
- Verbal processors: Clear, step-by-step instructions with anatomical references as we go
- Hands-on learners: Instructors can provide physical guidance (always with permission first!)
- Need to watch something 17 times before trying? No problem! We’re not counting.
Sensory Consideration
- Music volume controls – just ask if it’s too loud or too quiet, we are always happy to adjust if you’re struggling.
- Warm soft lighting that won’t trigger sensory overload
- Quiet seating area in reception for when you need a break
- Climate controlled aircon & fans for temperature regulation (because overheating is NOT fun)
Flexible Expectations
- Need to stim between turns? Go for it! Make sure to bring your stim objects to class!
- Having an off day? Don’t sweat it! There is never any pressure to perform
- Want to work on the same move for three weeks straight? That’s your journey!
- Prefer not to be cheered for? Just let us know!
Bríd aka Brioche – she/her: cat mom and 60% Clipboard Queen, 40% over stimulated irritable ADHD gremlin
“I am an adult diagnosed ADHDer, who for almost 4 decades was convinced that if it required coordination, routine, or choreography I would immediately fail and so didn’t try. I’m so glad that I put on my big girl pants and gave Inversion a try! Jess was immediately open and accepting of spiciness and made it safe for me to put my hand up (lies- put on my resting bitch hyper concentration face, with all the negative self talk) to say – actually – the music is loud and distracting; people around me are overstimulating and my brain has gone into shut down and I forgot what to do with my feet because I’m holding on to what to do with my arms. But the thing is – Jess took the time to work out how I learned, and when I got it OH MY GOD. Pole is a whole other fitness experience. I felt strong; I felt sexy; and it’s so much fun! Being hyped up and cheered just shut down those voices and I cannot wait to come back to go on with the next course. “
Tips for Neurodivergent Newbies
Thinking about giving aerial a try but feeling nervous? You aren’t the first, and definitely wont be the last. Here’s what we recommend:
- Start small – Book a foundation course or a private intro session if group classes feel overwhelming at first. Almost all of our instructors take private lessons, these are usually in the studio, so it’s a good way to introduce yourself to the space too.
- Bring your supports – Noise-cancelling headphones, stim toys, comfort objects are all welcome & highly encouraged.
- Tell us what you need – Our instructors aren’t mind readers (unfortunately), but they genuinely want to help. Tell us what you need and we will do what we can to help.
- Come as you are – No need to mask or perform “neurotypical.” Your authentic self is exactly who we want to meet. Aerial uses enough energy without also trying to mask!
- Forgive your body – Some days your brain and body will cooperate beautifully; other days they’ll be having separate conversations. Both are totally okay! Its normal to have off days, so just try and roll with it, and be sure to let your instructor know if you need something a little less complicated that day.
The Bottom Line
At Inversion, we believe that aerial isn’t just compatible with neurodivergent brains – its actually MADE for them. The focus, creativity, unique problem-solving, and passionate enthusiasm that many neurodivergent people bring to their interests and hobbies make for some of the most dedicated and innovative aerialists we know.
So if you’ve ever thought “I could never do that because my brain works differently,” we’re here to say: your differently-wired brain might just be your secret aerial superpower.
Come fly with us. No neurotype left behind. ✨
Ready to give it a go? Drop us a message about our beginner-friendly classes, or arrange a studio visit to check out the space first. Questions about specific accommodations? We’re all ears, while we cant guarantee that everything is possible, if we can do something to make things easier for you we will! Contact us at lucy@inversionpolefitness.co.uk, or via social media (search for Inversion Lancaster on Instagram or Inversion Pole & Aerial fitness on Facebook) – no question too small, no accommodation too “weird” (we don’t believe in weird anyway!).
Lucy & Jess | Their Experiences
So who’s running this joint? That would be us – Lucy and Jess! We’re best friends, business partners, and members of the neuro spicy club. We both found our calm hanging from the ceiling, and honestly? It’s been a game-changer for our busy brains.
So we thought, as our members have been so open, why not share our experiences too? Fair warning… Jess can WAFFLE
Lucy (She/Her) – Founder of Inversion and Pole & lollipop extraordinaire
” Before I found pole/aerial, I never really stuck with any kind of fitness. I’d run here and there, play a bit of tennis, or hit some badminton, but nothing really kept my attention. Then I tried pole. I signed up for a 6-week beginner course back in 2006, and even though it was tough, I was totally hooked from the get-go. The dopamine rush from nailing a new move? Chef’s kiss. Honestly, it felt better than any medication I’ve ever tried.”
Jess (She/Her) – Resident hype queen & co-owner, occasionally chaotic
“I found aerial in 2012 and pole in 2014, I studied aerial at university (coolest degree EVER) and when I got home, I was looking for something that would help me keep up the aerial strength I gained at uni. So, I booked onto a class with Lucy at Inversion. I can’t tell you how much I loved pole right away, it challenged me in all the right ways. But there was a day a few weeks in that was hard. I felt couldn’t do anything, felt terrible about myself and started to think ‘urgh what’s the point I’m S**T’. I’ll never forget how Lucy made me feel so at ease and encouraged despite this and I left thinking ‘ok, one more week’. That next week was incredible, I got home and bought a pole immediately. That feeling made me go back the next week, and the next, and… the next. I realised that it was ok to have bad days, when my brain and body weren’t agreeing. It showed me that progress still happens even when it feels like it isn’t. Since then, it’s come to light that I am neurodiverse, and it all made sense. Pole & aerial are the only types of fitness I have ever stuck too or been excited about. Sure, I loved how I felt after I had LEFT a gym. But a pole class made me excited to go. After every pole session, no matter how I feel going in, I always leave feeling calm and regulated. It improves my mood and helps me actually sleep! I have also had pretty obvious facial and physical tics for as long as I can remember, there has been many a rude comment from randoms over the years about it, so it’s something I have been conscious of forever too. But when I’m on a pole, no one is paying attention to my face, in the studio, no one bats an eyelid (well… except me! Bu dum tsk). I’m so much calmer that the tics die down too. Which is a massive win. Pole and Aerial have changed my life, I’m so glad I went back for ‘one more week’ “