A bevy of aerialists, silk-climbers, yogis, belly dancers, mischief-makers, booty-shakers and dreamers- all here to facilitate movement, health, wellness, and joy. 

Melissa Back on Lyra.jpg

Melissa Ardales [she/her] Coil Studio Owner, Aerialist, Travel Guru, Worldsmith

Spinning, might be a metaphor for life. Melissa is constantly on the go manifesting happiness and adventure. A travel professional by day (she's been to over 35 countries and visited all 7 continents plus 48 states) Melissa doesn’t shy away from an opportunity to learn something new. She took her first aerial arts class in 2012. At the moment she tipped upside down in her first straddleback, she saw the world from a new perspective and was hooked!

Aerial Training: Melissa received her formative aerial training on the east coast through incredible teachers at Monarca in Flight, TSNY, and UE. She has attended teacher trainings and intensive workshops at NECCA, Versatile Arts and regularly visits aerial studios across the country including Anti-Gravity in Orlando FL, when traveling for work.

ALL are welcome to Coil. She invites anyone who has ever dared to learn something new about the world, or themselves, to simply take the opportunity to TRY. Coil has so much to offer, and everyone is encouraged to explore.

The Mischief Makers:

  • Courtney Rowland has studied American Tribal Style® belly dance for ten years, and is a certified Fat Chance Belly Dance® Sister Studio. After dancing as a founding member of Kamalah Tribal in Phoenix for 7 years, Courtney returned to her hometown of Spokane where she hopes to grow the FCBD Style Belly Dance® community. Courtney’s fun and challenging teaching style focuses on elegant, lifted posture and the details of technique. Courtney is a member of local FCBD Style® performance troupe Cimmaron Tribal, based out of Spokane, WA. 

  • Ann found aerial by accident, having been working across the hall at Fellow when they noticed the silks hanging in Coil, wondered what they were, and signed up for a class “just to see what it’s like.” Since 2016, that sense of discovery is what continues to motivate them, both as a student and as an instructor. The beauty of aerial is that it allows us to experiment with our surroundings in ways that we don’t in everyday life: letting us get off-axis, upside-down, and suspended in air (even if it’s only a few inches off the mat).

    Ann’s a huge believer in ensuring that every person, every week, gets a "win" in class. If it's challenging themselves just a little more, if it's hitting a pose they were scared to commit to last week, if it's just getting upside-down for the first time – they're a proponent of meeting people where they are and giving them a safe space where they can push themselves further, with support, joy, and high-fives. They hope students walk out of the studio feeling challenged, but also good about themselves -- that they used their body in new ways, put in effort in ways they hadn't expected to, that they accomplished something that an hour ago may have been foreign to them. There’s a particular kind of exhilaration in that experience – come find out for yourself!

  • Willow O'Hara has been part of the aerial and circus community since 2013. She found her passion watching a performance, and discovered an art form that was completely unique to fit her lifestyle. She has done training from coast to coast, from New York City to San Diego. Willow completed Cosmetology school in 2007, which resulted in a love for costume and make-up design, which translates perfectly to circus performing and directing. She has performed over 200 times in Spokane and surrounding areas, on everything from silks, hammock, stilt-walking, and lyra, to even fire eating and dancing!

    Willow's instruction style has a focus on strength, flexibility, and movement. Her classes are all inclusive, and she has vast experience ranging from youths to seniors, all body types and fitness levels. She believes everyone can accomplish anything they want to pursuit, and is here to help you reach your goals. You'll be amazed at what your body is capable of!

    Willow's love for the circus community is matched by her dedication to family. She is raising 5 kids, ages 5 to 19. Circus, work hard, take care of family, repeat — with absolute optimism!

  • Tracey is a Personal Trainer and Functional Training Specialist who has worked with clients from a wide variety of backgrounds and ability levels. Her focus is on meeting participants at their current level of ability and finding what works best for them. She believes every body should have the opportunity to move and be challenged in new ways. Tracey is passionate about helping others improve their relationships with their bodies and discover new abilities. She coaches from a Health At Every Size (HAES) perspective and strives to coach inclusively while recognizing and addressing the needs of the individual.

    She holds the following titles and accomplishments: ACE Personal Trainer, Functional Training Specialist, American Red Cross Adult First Aid/CPR/AED, BS Physical Activity & Exercise, BS Community Health Education

  • Cindy Moon Bear has studied FatChanceBellyDance/American Tribal Style® dance for 20 years. She is a FCBD Sister Studio and certified teacher in the FCBD style. A perpetual student of the art herself, she imparts to her students the technique to dance this improvisational style competently and with joy.

  • Sophia’s practice started about 10 years ago when she took her first yoga class and loved the world it created. Sophia got certified with CorePower Yoga at the beginning of 2021 and fell in love with teaching power/vinyasa yoga. Sophia loves to work hard and inspire others to do the same. For her, yoga is a place for common ground. It’s a place where she can join with others to create a sacred space for love, acceptance, and joy.

  • Lauren has been practicing aerial arts since 2009 and teaching since 2012. She is certified to teach aerial silks, Hatha yoga, and meditation. Lauren started her journey in Colorado and southern California, then she co-created an aerial arts studio in Arizona. Since joining Coil, she has been welcomed into a culture of inclusion, encouragement, celebration of differences, and deep compassion.

    Lauren hopes to engage each class with knowledge and experience while continuing to learn and grow as an instructor and artist. Lauren views movement as language, and by teaching phrases she hopes to expand the ways each individual can express their unique spirit through movement.

  • Avi teaches lyra at Coil and loves finding new ways to challenge his students with fun activities and engaging lessons!

  • Jeff is an experienced acro yoga instructor. He loves helping students find the joy and challenge of acro yoga!

  • Nicole has been an active member of the aerial community in Spokane since 2011. During this time she has performed and taught both aerial silk and aerial hoop also known as the lyra.

    Nicole’s philosophy in aerial is to work hard and play hard. You’ll find her classes full of challenging conditioning and playful flows.

    When she is not hanging from the ceilings of Spokane, she can be found with her two cats or out exploring the great Pacific Northwest.