Painful Tricks are the Prettiest

Seems like everything we did this week in class was extremely painful and I didn't stick any of the tricks because of it. First we worked on upside down decent on the silks, I don't understand why I'm still having so much trouble with this, I really need to build up some serious core strength if I ever want to get it. Next we moved onto trapeze, I'm getting pretty good at the pop on and off as well as mermaid, I'm working towards doing a tuck up from standing too. The first new trick was an upside down X, this is really hard because you need to find the perfect spot just above you butt for the bar to lay, I kept having the bar too high and it left a nasty bruise on my spine. Next new trick was crucifix, this trick requires a lot of faith in the trapeze as well as upper body strength, I could only hold it for a second and that was even with my teacher holding my legs to take some of the weight off my arms. Last trick was an ankle hang, no one in the class was able to do this one, so it made me feel a little better. Our teacher held us like a baby as we took our hands off the bar, this put a ton of pressure on my legs and ankles and left me with more bruises, something that will take getting used to. Looks like I have a lot of new tricks to work on!

I am going to start a Pinterest board for inspiration, I'll link it to the blog to share!

On another note, my bruise from the flying trapeze last week is still looking pretty awful and I'm embarrassed to wear shorts or dresses- definitely an "Aerial down"!

FLYING!

Even before I began Aerial classes, I wanted to Fly. I saw that the flying trapeze rig was set up on Broad St. for a limited time in connection with the PIFA festival and I knew I had to do it. My first class was great, It was really natural for me, I did have a one up on the other beginners since I was comfortable hanging from a trapeze bar already. I started with the standard beginner trick- a knee hang and back flip dismount, and then I completed the catch on my first try.

After the class my adrenaline was so high I knew I had to try it again. I went back a week later, they had me do heels off, I didn't like this trick at all, although I still wanted to continue flying.

I was in Las Vegas last week and looked up www.trapezelasvegas.com and knew I had to go! I had such a fantastic time, and with the help of the awesome staff I was able to get a set split!  The video of the catch below isn't quite a split, since my right foot never came off the bar, but I was really close! I'm going to try this trick again before moving on to something else. My goals for my next flying session is a single handed take off and really cleaning up my transitions, then after that I want to start working on getting height in my swing.

Beginner Tricks and Treats

My first session I was with 4 other people who, like me were beginners, but unlike me were amazingly natural on the rope and silks. I could keep up on the trapeze, but my hands, core, and legs just did not make it happen on the rope and silks. I always thought I was strong so this was incredibly frustrating for me to have a hard time at these tricks. I liked to look at myself as most improved throughout the session, since I was so awful in the beginning. By the end I was able to climb to the top of both silks and rope on both legs, as well as do all the pre requisite tricks to excel into level 2. 

Here are a few pictures and videos of what I was working on throughout my first session. 

New to Blogging & Aerials

I thought it would be fun to start a blog to chronicle my adventures as a beginner in Aerial Circus Arts. I began taking classes in February 2013 at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts as an alternate form of exercise.

My first class I could hardly climb, I was so sore for a week, I began to rethink my decision to do this. Early on I really took to the trapeze, fast forward to today and I am in Level 2 Aerial classes and have also taken a few flying trapeze workshops. I love being upside down and flying. I plan to post new tricks, struggles, tips and anything else I learn along the way!

Hanging around during my first class.