Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristi Toguchi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kristi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I am a third-generation magician, and I have performed around the world for most of my life. The lifestyle as a performer has made me miss many of my family events and special occasions with loved ones. Unfortunately, in 2014, my dad passed away. After this experience, I was very upset that I missed out on so many important memories with my father. I did not want to live the selfish life as a performer anymore, so I decided to retire and I opened up my circus school, Aerial Fitness, in Las Vegas. I found joy in sharing what I have learned from my family and mentors with others. It is so rewarding to be a part of people’s journeys, where I get to help them achieve their goals and dreams.
My business has a service and product side. I have my Aerial Fitness studio where I teach flexibility, aerial acrobatics, dance, magic, and circus arts. My students and I also perform at different charity and community events. I have also published many books, apparel, and accessories related to these arts.
The art of Aerial Silk, which is my specialty, was created in 1996. I began performing as an Aerialist in 2001, so I am one of the first performers to tour the world sharing and teaching this art, and I consider myself to be an expert in the field. This, I believe, completely sets me apart in the industry. Also, I customize programs and create acts for students and professionals, and most programs do not offer these services at all.
In 2008, I met an amazing Olympia Body Builder named Diana Dennis who had a dream of flying like the artists of Cirque Du Soleil. I wanted to help her make her dreams come true, and in 2008, we did just that as she performed an aerial silk act in a benefit show for the 9/11 first responders. After Diana made her dreams come true, she wanted me to help others learn this art.
When I told Diana about my career shift, she was very generous and helped me open up my first studio by organizing a lease opportunity for me and donating equipment.
At first, I was only interested in creating the next stars of the entertainment world, so I was mainly focused on teaching professionals. As I began to build my clientele, I started to meet new clients who had no prior experience in fitness. This created a new challenge for me because I could not train them in the traditional circus techniques that I first learned. After all, they were too advanced for them. Then the light bulb went off! I need to create a technique that anyone can do. And that is how Aerial Fitness technique was born.
I created a technique of progressions that will allow a beginner to build strength and endurance while increasing flexibility and making new mind-body connections. I wanted people to experience the art of aerial acrobatics while making it fun, challenging, and safe. In 2023, I finally published my first book about my aerial technique called “Aerial Fitness: A Practical Guide for All Levels”.
Aerial Fitness School is unique because we have people’s lives in our hands at all times. It is a very dangerous business, and in the past few years, there have been numerous accidents related to the skills taught at our business. There is no harness, only you and your body in the air. Twisting, flipping, contorting, flying, and dropping in all directions possible. We teach the art of aerial acrobatics and magic, and circus arts. We are very special because our students have been so passionate that they have moved on to become professional performing artists. We have taught people of all ages, shapes, and sizes to fly in the air at Aerial Fitness. We have worked with people from the age of 3 to the age of 70.
We have changed our customers’ lives by helping them build their self-confidence as they face challenges and fears in class. Because it is difficult, our students learn how to fail, accept failure, and try until they reach their goal. We believe anything and everything is possible. We teach our students to focus, to trust themselves and others, and to express themselves with their bodies.
Our vision is to create a community of trustworthy, giving, healthy, happy people by creating an encouraging environment where you can be yourself wherever you are in your life. We believe that each journey is unique and no path is the same. Thus, the path of our program must be individualized to fulfill one’s personal goals and dreams. By allowing people to express themselves this way, we have seen amazing outcomes where many people have surpassed their expected potential. People of all ages can learn to fly and gain confidence in themselves by trusting their instincts and bodies, and create a new perspective and appreciation for themselves and others.
Kristi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Kristi Toguchi is the founder of Aerial Fitness® and a world-class entertainer and coach. Kristi has been featured by more than 100 media outlets, including NBC, Fox, SyFy, Discovery, Travel Channel, HGTV, Amazon Studios, Sony, Muscle & Fitness Magazine, GQ, Golf Magazine, and Thomas Cook Travel Magazine. She is a 3rd generation magician and was also the resident aerialist at the world-famous Tao Night Club in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kristi has over 25 years of teaching experience, specializing in aerial acrobatics, contortion, dance, and magic. She has taught students worldwide, and she is the owner of Aerial Fitness® School (www.AerialFitness.us) in Las Vegas. Her students have attended the prestigious École National Circus School. Many of them have gone on to have successful careers performing in international venues, including the Olympics, cruise lines, television, corporate events, and more.
In May 2025, Kristi received a congressional recognition from Congresswoman Susie Lee for her contributions to the health and wellness and arts in her community.
Aerial Fitness provides training in Aerial Fitness, Aerial Acrobatics, Flexibility, Dance, Contortion, and magic. Kristi Toguchi’s Aerial Fitness program will focus on building your core strength and flexibility as you learn exercises moving your body on both the ground and the air. Aerial Fitness classes are full-body workouts that will emphasize building technique and proper alignment. You will learn the basic skills and techniques that will help you achieve your fitness goals.
Aerial Fitness puts their heart and soul into their work. They love to share their art, and they teach with compassion and encouragement. Under their guidance, you will learn about technique and showmanship. They will help you identify your fitness and/or performance goals and do their best in their ability to make you achieve those goals.
Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?
I have learned that there are growing pains for all businesses. Some are just harder than others. In March of 2020, my whole business shut down with the rest of the world during the COVID-19 epidemic. The fitness industry was hit really hard. We were the first to close and one of the last to open up because of social distancing. My business shut down for almost 2 years, and I was not sure how I would ever reopen again.
When things started to open up in the world, there were still many challenges for my business because of the equipment being used. I had to build new policies and procedures to adhere to rules and regulations and to keep people safe.
It took time to get people to come back, but one person at a time, people started to come back. As my business started to grow, the owner of the space I was subleasing from decided to switch careers, and I was forced to move my business. Luckily, I was able to relocate and continue to grow my business.
I have learned that you just have to keep moving forward and never give up. Somehow, someway, things will work out. It will be hard work, but it will also pay off in the end.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
I find the most effective way to grow your clientele is by building a community. How do you build a community? By arranging and encouraging your clients to participate in group activities, field trips, and events with other students from their class.
People love to train with each other; it helps them be accountable, and it can also be more fun. For many people, fitness can have a social component as well, so building a community will make them feel more included, which will make them want to come to class more and tell their friends and family to join them.
Also, marketing is extremely important to build any business. There are many ways to market today, and you just have to find the right way for you. I highly recommend getting coaching sessions for your business with a reputable company or coach, as it has really enhanced my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Aerial-Fitness.net
- Instagram: @AerialFitness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AerialFitnessLV/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aerialfitness/
- Twitter: @AerialFitnessLV
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/aerialfitnesslv
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/aerial-fitness-las-vegas
- Other: https://linktr.ee/aerialfitnesslv
Image Credits
Photos by: Beckett Studios & SON Studios