Coronavirus NSW: Tumbler offers online lessons during pandemic
Kylie Simpson has had to fight hard to continue her circus career, now she’s offering online lessons to keep others fit and firing during the coronavirus pandemic.
Penrith
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Kylie Simpson has had three good reasons to give up her circus career, but the 36-year-old has kept fit and firing and now wants to help you do the same.
Ms Simpson is offering online tumbling lessons to help keep people active and social during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She started her circus career 10 years ago after surviving a serious car accident in the state’s south.
“I was visiting family in Cathcart, and I fractured my neck in two places in a car accident,” she said.
“I had some nerve damage to a spinal nerve where the back of my left arm didn’t work properly, which meant I couldn’t push myself out of a chair or couldn’t do a push up.
“I was only 26 at the time and knew I needed to fix this, so I decided to take up circus.”
Her circus career was put on hold again five years ago when she was diagnosed with cancer.
“I had an endometrial stromal sarcoma, which is a tumour in the uterus,” she said.
“The only way it can be safely dealt with is to have a hysterectomy, so I had one at the age of 32 to save my life.
“In terms of circus, they had to cut my abs completely open, and I had to recover from the trauma associated with that.”
On top of all of that, Ms Simpson also suffered two broken vertebrate in a trampoline accident two years ago.
Her lessons start at $15 per person and are done completely free of contact from her temporary South Penrith home.
“I’m teaching for a dance school one day a week, so I thought I’d do it for myself as well,” she said.
“I had my first classes a couple of weeks ago which went well, and I’ve had a few inquiries from students I teach at different schools.
“My main priority is to try to keep people active to maintain or improve fitness, and keep people connected.
“Apart from the benefits of movement and exercise, just seeing other people’s faces is such an important thing.”
Ms Simpson, who is an IASF Level 1-4 credentialed coach, said her lessons were based on the Australian All-Star Cheerleading Federation’s tumbling system.
“We do things like push-ups, burpees, and squat jumps,” she said.
“We’re not flipping on your first lesson, but you’re certainly getting a good workout.”
Kylie Simpson can be found on Instagram at @circusandtumbletrainer.