VIDEO: Reservist climbs her way to success Published May 13, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Richard Gonzales 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- It's a tough workout climbing 15 feet in the air using only silk as help. "It's definitely a total body exercise and lots of endurance," said Tech. Sgt. Davina Wong, an aerial silk artist and Air Force Reservist in the 419th Fighter Wing. View the video. In a studio near Hill Air Force Base, Sergeant Wong practices aerial silk, what looks like an aerial version of ballet. She pulls and ties bright red silk hanging from the ceiling, then performs odds-defying aerial acrobatics. Aerial silk is part of a new workout trend called circus fitness, which adapts circus acts such as trapeze or the aerial ring into regular exercise routines. "I've always loved dance and gymnastics, and this is definitely a combination of both," Sergeant Wong said. With only silk holding her legs, Sergeant Wong does the splits 10 feet in the air. Then she performs a head-first dive falling six feet. Each trick varies in difficulty, but her smile is constant throughout her performance. "They have this going on in California, Las Vegas, and Cirque du Soleil," Sergeant Wong said. Annie Dickson, Sergeant Wong's aerial silk coach, was surprised when she found her student was a reservist. "I didn't know she was military at first," Ms. Dickson said, "but she definitely stood out. Because of their physical condition, military people usually do." The reservist said aerial silk has become her passion since moving to Utah in 2010. "I found aerial silk at the studio, and I was hooked," Sergeant Wong said. "When I'm up there, I just let go of everything that's on my mind at work, school, or anything out in the real world and just let loose, be creative, and let my mind wander." Sergeant Wong moved to the Beehive State as an Air Reserve Technician with the 419th FW working on F-16 avionics. "Without avionics, pilots couldn't fly the aircraft," Sergeant Wong said. "You have to pay attention to detail, which in my job is a must, and that's the way it is with aerial silk, as well." Sergeant Wong's military career and aerial silk routine have more in common than a need for attention to detail, though. In both acrobatics and avionics, she knows it takes hard work and dedication to get to the top. View the video.