Meet The Team
Lyn Kirkman
ERYT 500, ERYT 200, YACEP, REIKI MASTER, CERTIFIED SOUND PRACTIONER,
AERIALI COACH/PERFORMER, FOUNDER
Lyn Kirkman is the founder & lead instructor of Atomic Lotus Yoga & Aerial Fitness. Lyn loves to share her knowledge & passion for aerial fitness & yoga with others. Lyn has been practicing & teaching aerials/yoga since 2013 in studio class settings, private class events, & group settings. More than anything, Lyn loves to share aerial arts with others & is most comfortable teaching her love for the art & practice with people from diverse backgrounds & fitness levels.
Lyn is inspired by her students & lives for the moments of achievement that only comes with the development of strength & mental clarity that aerial arts, fitness, & yoga provides. With a background in biological sciences/genetics & with a passion for anatomy, various forms of yoga, pilates, & aerial arts have been a natural continuation of her love for creative movement arts & restorative fitness. Lyn's drive & passion for helping others in her community by way of yoga, aerial arts, movement, & meditation continue to fill her heart daily.
Lyn teaches:
Monday Slow Flow Yoga 1015a & Lyra/Trapeze Skillz & Drillz 1130a
Wednesday Yin Yoga 10a, Aerial Yoga All Levels 6p, & Lyra/Trapeze Skillz & Drillz 715p
Friday Aerial Yoga All Levels 1015a & Hammock Skillz & Drillz 6p
Saturday Aerial Rotation (Aerial Yoga or Lyra or Trapeze)
She also teaches private lessons & private group lessons; Perfroms at parties, & events.
Michael Knapp
Aerial Coach
Performer
Michael Knapp has been teaching aerial and performing in St. Pete for 5 years.
On stage, Michael combines strength and technique with theatraticallity, as a coach he focuses on these skills to create a challenging but fun and rewarding atmosphere where everyone can leave feeling accomplished and beautiful.
Michael specializes in fabric but loves all forms of aerial and circus arts.
Micheal teaches:
Thursday Hammock 6p & Silks 730p
Payton Reign
Aerial Coach
Performer
As Payton Reign, I blend my athletic background with my love for fire and aerial arts to add a unique flair to events in hopes to inspire others through this act of movement. My journey from a college athlete to a certified instructor has honed my skills in these niche art forms. Having been privileged to perform at various festivals across the nation, including Envision and Hulaween, I’m constantly learning and refining my craft. I aspire to contribute a memorable performance to any given event as well as encourage anyone who expresses interest in these art forms!
Payton teaches:
Tuesday Silks 1130a
Saturday Aerial Rotation (Silks or Hammock)
Rachel "Kittie" Howard
Aerial Coach
Performer
Rachel "Kittie" Howard is a Florida native that has been a performing aerialist for over five years, and a contortionist for over three years. She has studied under a number of the country's best coaches, including Womack and Bowman, an aerial duo based in L.A., and Katie Brier, who is a world-renowned contortion instructor.
She has performed at numerous local events, such as the city of St. Petersburg's "First Night" NYE event, Florida's Hulaween, Brainquility, and Sunset music festivals, and with Tampa Bay's premier burlesque troupe "Femmes and Follies". She also began teaching flexibility and aerial arts classes in 2019. Kittie specializes in aerial silks, but also performs on aerial hoop/lyra, rope, and hammock, as well as practicing contortion.
She has a BFA in photography, is a dog mom of four, and works by day in St. Petersburg as the manager of a fine wine retailer. She has a mind, body, and soul that's built for the circus.
Kittie teaches:
Monday Lyra Level 1/2 6p & Aerial Silks Level 1/2 730p
Friday Aerial Silks Level 1-3 1130a
Sade Mendez
Aerial Coach
Performer
Sade Mendez is an aerial coach in training & specializes in aerial hammock!
Sade discovered aerial arts while she lived in Arizona back in 2019. You can say it was love at first flight. Aerial yoga was her gateway into finding hammock & other circus apparatuses.
Sade is passionate about helping others find the courage to experience the beauty, strength, & freedom of aerial arts. When she is not on the mat or in the air, you can always find her spending quality time with my dog, reading, or reconnecting with nature — even with something as simple as walking around.
Born & raised in Los Angeles, Sade has been fortunate enough to travel all over the country thanks to my background in event production & marketing. After visiting Florida during several business trips, I packed up my belongings & moved to Clearwater in 2021.
Sade teaches:
Tuesday Lyra 6p & Hammock 730p
Saturday Aerial Rotation (Lyra or Hammock)
Lauren Smith
Aerial Coach
Lauren has been a nurse and hospital administrator for over 10 years, dedicated to patient care and serving my community.
She came to find her aerial practice after she realized she needed to start caring for not only her body, but also her mind and soul.
Over the last 3 years of continued practice, Lauren has been able to find mental clarity, internal peace, direction, and community; all while working her body safely to its limits and beyond.
Lauren hopes to be able to share the peace and community her aerial practice has given her, and she will remain dedicated to inclusion and creating a safe and inviting environment.
Lauren teaches:
Saturday Aerial Rotation (Aerial Yoga or Hammock)