SOMA Living February 2023

MEET THE MERCHANT Maura Hargrave-Kerns is a former Clinton School special education teacher who is opening an AIR® Aerial Fitness franchise location in South Orange. Aerial fitness is a gymnastics based fitness class using circus performance suspension equipment. Maura explains, “We fuse elements of suspension training, Pilates, ballet, and HIIT to create fun, effective, and accessible workouts. I grew up in MapSO (ok….SOMA) and I am so excited to be pursuing my dream and sharing my passion with the community here.” What differentiates The AIR® Aerial Fitness studio from similar programs is combining different aerial elements to make them more accessible to people. In addition to group fitness classes there will be private classes for kids and adults of all fitness levels. The location will also host aerial retreats, teacher training, as well as sensory-based

services for clients of all ages and abilities. Maura is eager to open the facility and begin hosting eight week sessions (to conclude with an aerial recital), summer and weekday camps when schools are closed, birthday parties, scouting badge programs, and more. Prior to purchasing the franchise, Maura also worked as a

freelance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) and spent two years becoming an AIR® Master Trainer. The new business allows her to combine her professional teaching experience with her love of fitness and performance exercise. Maura adds, “We are still getting our feet wet in opening up the business, but I look forward to contributing to and building relationships with the Achieve Foundation and Columbia High School Scholarship Fund. Both of these organizations do so much to benefit the kids and teachers in our community.”

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