2nd Trapeze Class

My second trapeze class was as much fun as the first. We started off with 30 minutes of stretching. This time the instructor went around to each of us on several of the stretches to help push us deeper into the stretch. It's actually quite helpful having a partner for stretching.

Then, we got into the trapeze work. We started with the same routine from last time, with some added tricks while standing on the bar. Again, you can see what some of these moves are at this site:
http://www.fedec.net/fr/manuel%201%20-%20part%202.pdf

Double Up
2 Knee Hang
Birds Nest
L Up (to a sitting position)
Pull Up to Stand
Lean Forward - Toe to knee, Leg Out
Lean Backwards - Toe to knee, Leg Back
Hands a bit lower, back bend, leg back
Hands even lower, press back into split
Lower down to sit (both feet come out at once)
Slide to knees
Double Up - lower to floor

So, it was a bit more involved than what we did last week. Then, we got into the angel poses routine.

Double Up
2 Knee Hang
Half Angel Forward
Half Angel Backward
Angel Hang
Ankle Hang
Strattle
Lower to ground in strattle

We did this twice. It was hard to know what to do at first. It's a bit disorienting trying to figure out where each foot and hand goes.

Then, we did a different routine to help us feel comfortable moving on the bar.

Double Up
2 Knee Hang
L Up (to a sitting position)
Pull Up to Squat
Right Food Down In front of the bar
Right Food Down Behind the bar
Left Food Down In front of the bar
Left Food Down Behind the bar
Lower down to sit (both feet come out at once)
Slide to knees
Double Up - lower to floor

Then, different people did different things for their last turn. The instructor advised me to do the Angel routine again, so that's what I did. The third time around for it, I actually remembered what to do, and it flowed a lot better.

After the trapeze work, we did some conditioning. First, we held the push up position for 30 seconds. Then, we did 15 pushups. Then, we held pushup position for 20 seconds. Then, we did 5 more pushups. Then, we held pushup position for 10 seconds. After that, we conditioned abs. We got into the V position and held it for 30 seconds. Then, we did 10 crunches. Then, we held the V position for 20 more seconds. I was able to do the entire pushup sequence. Compared to my pushups where I do my chin to the floor, regular ones are easy. I was not able to hold the V position the entire time, though. I broke form once during the 1st 30 seconds and then twice during the 20 seconds. I think my abs were spent by then. The V position is definitely an ab exercise that I will add to my work at home.

I've found that the most scary part of the trapeze so far is when I'm standing on the bar. I don't trust my feet on the small bar yet. With my flat feet, I was afraid that they were going to cramp up - especially when I only have 1 foot on the bar. Between my turns, I felt my feet get cold, like they might cramp. So, I took out my shirt from my backpack, and wrapped it around my feet. From now on, I think I'll bring a small blanket or something to keep my feet warm. I definitely don't want them cramping up in the middle of class.

The drops below the bar were a little scary as well. They seemed to be the most scary part for the other students (which is interesting because I was more afraid of the standing part). The ankle hang is supposed to be done to where you start a bit high on the ropes and then slide down into the hang. However, I just started low so that I wouldn't tear the skin off my ankles this time. The instructor recommended that we get some ankle protectors to give us a bit of extra protection. So, I'll have to pick some up from Walgreens before the next class.

I was close to getting the Double Up with my legs straight completely on my own this time. Probably I'll have the necessary strength in my abs in another week or so. I could do it easily if I were tucked, but having the legs straight all the way requires more strength.

My outfit that I wore this time was definitely better. Having the pants covering the backs of my knees was very helpful, although I still got massive bruises on the back of them (as you can see in the photo that I took today). I tried taking pics of my hands, but the calluses/red spots didn't come out too well in the pics. It's been a fun time so far, though. I wear my bruises with pride. I can't wait until next week to learn some more.