Roanoker Magazine "Roanoke Strong" by Ashley Wilson Fellers

Watch Lynsey Wyatt perform one of her aerial acrobatic acts – gripping and climbing long panels of fabric to dizzying heights, then spinning back to earth – and it’s hard not be arrested by the moment’s magic. This is strength with a little stardust … physical activity with an elegant edge.

But Wyatt's work – in public performance and at Cirqulation, a downtown circus-arts studio that teaches flexibility, inversion and aerial conditioning – is about something deeper, too: radical self-acceptance and healing. Here’s what Wyatt has to say about the rewards of being an activist/artist, and about the Star City spots that keep her strong.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of doing what you do?

Wyatt: I've always loved to move but I haven't always felt safe in fitness spaces. The most rewarding part for me is holding space that is radically affirming and allows people to find joy in their bodies and feel safe pushing their limits.

Q: What local spots keep you nourished and committed to health when you’re not in the air – maybe a favorite restaurant or spot for massage?

Wyatt: Roasters Next Door (RND Coffee). I absolutely love them … Personally, I like to support businesses where I feel like my values are represented, and their emphasis on community and [the] space that they've built outside during this pandemic for people to still be able to meet has been super helpful for keeping me energized and fueled by their amazing coffee…

The other place is Garden Song Eco Café [founded by interviewee Maya Ittah]… They're locally sourced. They emphasize sustainability … And I absolutely love supporting women-owned businesses, as well… That's where I feel the most energized to continue doing what I do.

Q: Where do you go to exercise when you’re not in your studio?

Wyatt: I love the Greenway! … There's a spot right by Black Dog Salvage that has some exercise equipment, and I've told a lot of my students … outdoor space is free! You can still maintain some of your conditioning by going there and just doing the exercises that you already know how to do.

Q: Is there anyone in the local health and fitness industries who’s inspiring you right now?

Wyatt: Lisa Linger is the owner of Mental Health in Motion, and she's a dancer and close collaborator of mine, and I adore the work she does … Her company does amazing things with mental health education … Mental health is so stigmatized, unfortunately, in our society. But I think taking a creative approach to educating people about it can really help break down some of that stigma, and it also builds empathy … And dance is such an amazing avenue to express that, because you really feel the connection between people and the stories they tell.

Want to see more of Wyatt's work? Go to https://www.cirqulation.com/.