Charmaine Lim Yee Sim awarded the 13th Golden Phoenix Awards – Cultural Achievement Awards 2025 

She defies gravity not only with her body, but also with her spirit. Charmaine Lim Yee Sim is a pioneer aerialist, coach, and founder of Airfit Dance Studio, who has transformed Western Circus Arts into a vibrant, accessible form of fitness and performance art in Malaysia. Her work bridges artistry and well-being, empowering students of all ages to rediscover their physical and mental potential through movement.

Since founding Airfit Dance Studio in 2016, Charmaine has created a safe and inclusive space where aerial dance serves as a channel for self-discovery, strength-building, and expressive performance. What once required circus rigging and elite athleticism is now a progressive fitness journey accessible to beginners, children, and seniors alike.

Her unique contribution lies in transforming aerial arts from a niche spectacle into a holistic lifestyle practice. In 2016, Charmaine also authored foundational textbooks on aerial yoga and aerial hammock techniques, which have since become key materials in her instructor certification programs. Between 2016 and 2025, Charmaine and her students have collectively won over 55 trophies on the international stage, with competitions spanning the United States, the United Kingdom, and Southeast Asian countries. From beginner aerial yoga to competitive choreography, her structured courses integrate somatic awareness and performance training, guiding students toward greater mind-body harmony.

Charmaine also brings Malaysia’s aerial talent to global stages. Her students have performed and competed internationally, and she herself has won numerous awards, including Champion and Best Choreography at the Azul Fest World Championships. As the founder of Azul Fest Malaysia, and a judge for competitions in the UK, Egypt, and Southeast Asia, she elevates Malaysia’s presence in the aerial world.

Beyond titles, her influence is seen in the transformation of her students. Many experience improved posture, strength, and confidence; others gain stage experience or pursue careers in aerial arts. For Charmaine, aerial dance is not just movement—it’s medicine, meditation, and metaphor.

Charmaine has won multiple championships at the prestigious Azul Fest World Championships. In 2021, despite global travel restrictions, she traveled to the UK (South West Aerial Championship )and emerged as the Adult Hammock Champion and Overall Grand Champion—remarkably, the only Asian contestant in the competition. That same year, she was also honored with the Best Choreography Award in the United States. Her growing reputation has led to her being invited as a judge for international aerial dance competitions across Southeast Asia, the UK, and Egypt, further amplifying Malaysia’s presence in the global aerial arts arena.

The Golden Phoenix Awards - Cultural Achievement Award honors women who inspire and uplift through cultural innovation. Charmaine Lim embodies this spirit—suspending not only her body in the air, but lifting a community with her.