Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Drew.
Jake, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was involved in gymnastics when I was younger. In college, I was the captain of the cheer squad at UT Tyler. During my professional career in banking, I did yoga for many years at our work fitness center during lunch. Acroyoga seemed like a natural next step for me to leverage my existing skills and grow as an individual.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For me, its very important to supplement my Acroyoga practice with activities that work my pulling muscles and also try to maintain as much flexibility as possible. As a base (the person lifting others), flexibility in the hamstrings helps during many Acroyoga flows. Learning to keep a better balance in strength between pushing and pulling muscles also seems to minimize my injuries.
Acroyoga at Elevate Gymnastics – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a Data Scientist. I have a Ph.D. in Computer Science and teach a Master’s level course in Machine Learning at SMU. I am most proud to spread my love of Acroyoga as a gift to others. I don’t make any money from the events I host or when I teach. This CERTAINLY sets me apart in the community. I have hosted a weekly Acroyoga Jam at Elevate Gymnastics on Monday Nights from 6:30 – 8:30 PM for several years now. A “jam” is a low cost or free Acroyoga skill sharing event with no formal class setting. This keeps the event cost at only $10 per person for use of the facility. Elevate Gymnastics is the longest currently active Acroyoga jam in Dallas. It is also the safest since we practice on a gymnastics spring floor and have big mats and a waist harness available for the more advanced standing acrobatics. I specialize in standing Acroyoga poses and standing transitions or flows. I also enjoy taking my standing poses to the dance floor, and I go country dancing often. I am proficient at progressive two-step. However, we also often have Salsa, Salsa on 2, and Bachata dancers dropping in to learn and practice safe lifts for the dance floor. Come play with us sometime!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I (@jakemdrew) really enjoyed performing for two hours for at the giant Fabletics pop-up shop at NCA Nationals this year with Heather Hansen (@acro_feather). The event was hosted at the Dallas Convention Center and exposed Acroyoga to thousands of cheerleaders across the nation.
Pricing:
- Acroyoga Jam at Elevate Gymnastics Mondays 6:30 – 8:30 PM (We always stay later though!) $10 Per Person
Contact Info:
- Address: Elevate Gymnastics
5954, 17815 Davenport Rd # 101,
Dallas, TX 75252 - Website: http://www.dallasacroyoga.com/
- Phone: 9729536333
- Email: jakemdrew@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakemdrew/
Image Credit:
Rolland Pollard (@rolandp90x), Daley Kappenman (@day_lilies)
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
