What Seven-Year Evolutionary Cycles Have to Do With You, Me, & Levitation Nation
Updated: Apr 21
You've probably heard of the seven-year itch. Some people refer to them as seven-year soul cycles. In astrology, it is believed that every seven years is an evolutionary cycle during which where your body, mind, and spirit evolve. This belief stems from how there is a major shift in the cosmos shift every seven years.
Paradoxically, it’s been seven years since I opened Levitation Nation, which was an incredible dream come true for me. Since this is not an article about my turbulent or emotional past, I will try not to digress too much but will simply say that I found a healing in aerial fitness that I wanted to share with other women. It was my mission to empower women and allow them to be seen, and hence, Levitation Nation was born.
I want to give a huge shout out to everyone who has helped me grow the studio to where it is today – I could not have done it alone. Students from my earlier days stepped up to become instructors and performers alongside me. Some of my clients became my best friends; our friendships fortified in aerial sweat and sometimes even tears. Photographers, magazines, and businesses around the valley offered to unite with us and highlight us as we navigated deeper into our mission. Thank you to everyone and anyone who has helped me to fill the studio with magic, pride, and love.
Now, seven years in, I have decided it is time to hand over the reins to someone who can continue this work with more focus than I can offer. I would be lying if I said I haven't had several good cries over this decision already, as Levitation Nation is my heart and soul. But the reality is that the studio has grown so much that I can’t continue to give it the attention it needs while still working my other full-time job with my GIS / engineering career.
Therefore, I am pleased to announce that Deidre Ingraham will be taking over in July. Deidre was one of my earliest students, going back ten years ago. She has been running her Twisted Fitness in Missoula the past few years but has returned to the Flathead, bringing her extraordinary enthusiasm for aerial and pole fitness with her.
You might notice that the sales of punch cards are going offline during this transition (from mid-June to early July). Other than that, there aren’t any big changes to the studio planned beyond this transfer of ownership. Your favorite classes will still exist, including the ones that I teach. I will still be around as an instructor, a performer, and a friend.
So, what does this all have to do with you? Well, since you are undoubtedly in your own seven-year evolutionary cycle, we want you to know that Levitation Nation remains committed to helping you in your evolution. In fact, it is my hope that this shift will allow me to better help you evolve (since instead of only having enough time to look at the big picture progress for the studio, I will now have more time to focus on the details of our clients' practices). I am excited for this opportunity to be a part of your practice in this new way. I am eager to help influence and energize your path, as my path will undoubtedly be energized through this lighter load.
I know I have some soul-searching to do, too, as I traverse this new role and figure out who I am when not in the driver's seat at the studio, but the universe is primed for this shift so my heart tells me this is the right move. The pursuit of our best selves is a life-long endeavor, and I am incredibly grateful to traverse this path together with you into our next era.
Thank you for putting your faith in me and Levitation Nation. I love you, and will continue to be here for you. XOXO, Mindy
Article by Mindy Cochran. Mindy is the founder of Kalispell’s Levitation Nation Aerial Studio, where the catchphrase “fitness is fun” is embodied alongside a culture of movement & women empowerment. Mindy is also a columnist for "Montana Woman Magazine." Her column "The Real Levitation Experience" shares expertise for elevating health & wellness that she has acquired through her certifications as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach. For more about Mindy, please visit: https://www.levitationnation.org/mindy.