7th Trapeze Class

Trapeze class was awesome last night. My instructor really liked all 3 musical selections. She said that she could see any of the 3 working for me. So, my homework for next week is to finalize my music selection. So, if anyone has any opinions, please let me know. As I said in my post about it, I can see all 3 working, but each one is different and awesome in it's own way.

Another thing is that class solidified that I will be doing my own solo performance. I'm 99% certain of this. So, that is very exciting. Also, once I've selected my music, I need to find my costume. She would like to see us bring in our costumes the week after next.

Last night's class there were only 3 students - the ballet girl and the guy were absent. This gave us lots of individualized attention. We learned some new tricks and started thinking about tricks that we each want for our performances. Next week we're going to start putting together our routines. It's very exciting.

We started with learning the Iron Cross. This was very much like the Double Arm Flag trick that I described several weeks ago, but it was from standing. Essentially, from standing on the trapeze, we wrapped our arms around the ropes so that the ropes were held in tight into are armpits (this part was very important to the success of the trick). Then, we put our legs out from the bar, behind it, so that we were supported by our arms. From there, if we could (which I was able to do), we had to push the ropes outward to the side (this part was different from the double arm flag), so that they formed a cross-shape. Once in position, we could bring one leg to the other knee, etc, to stylize.

The next thing that we did was that our instructor taught us how to climb this really thick rope. We had to wrap our right leg and step on top of the rope on it on our left leg. Then, we had to pull up with our arms to climb and move our legs up. In between each "step" in the climb, we had to be in a position so that we could be standing with our feet. So, the pressure alternated between the upper and lower body. I was able to climb the entire rope on my first try. This was mainly just a strengthening exercise.

The next trick was the Forward Roll. This one I about had a heart attack doing the first time. From standing on the trapeze, you put your arms waist high. Your arms are in front of the ropes, holding on with your thumbs facing down. Then, you lean forward so that your body forms a triangle against the ropes. From there, you essentially flip your body over, and wind up sitting on the bar. Everything was fine until it came time to do the flippy part. It felt like I had no leverage from that position. Also, the backwards grip was awkward. It took several grip adjustments until I attempted it. As soon as I did it, I could feel new muscles in my forearms burning. And, I felt the rope trying to tear out of my hands. But, my hands held, and I found myself sitting on the bar, almost magically somehow. It was a pretty cool feeling. I honestly don't remember how my body made it to the sitting position. I just wound up there somehow. My first question was "was that right?". I wasn't sure if that's how the trick was supposed to end. But, it was, which was cool. I did the trick 2 additional times. The second time was MUCH better than the first. I didn't fear plummeting head first to the ground quite so much. The third time was even better. I was much more controlled with my flip. And, I was able to keep my legs completely straight with the toes pointed. I did re-adjust my grip once, though, before doing it. So, there's definitely still room for improvement. But, I'm pretty sure I'm going to do that trick in my performance.

Then, one of the girls was doing a Straddle Back Balance into a Bird Hang. It looked really cool, so when the instructor asked us if anyone else wanted to try it, I spoke right up and tried. This one was cool. You start from sitting on the trapeze. You lower yourself in front of the bar until the bar hits just a bit above your tailbone. Then, you swing your legs up in a strattle split. So, you are hanging upside down, balancing with the bar just above your tailbone and your inner thighs on the ropes keeping you balanced. From there (and this is where it got really complicated - I don't exactly remember it right), the bar winds up where your leg meets your body at a 90 degree angle. Your other leg comes around and grabs the rope by the knee. And, then you hang down. The bar where the leg meets the body is where your weight is being supported. It hurt a fair amount, but I'm not sure I had the bar in the exact correct position. But, it was a cool trick. Next week I'm going to do this sequence again, adding a Shoulder Stand to the beginning of it. And, I think that's going to go into my performance, too.

The final trick we learned was the Amazon. For this, you sit sideways on the bar. Your left hand goes on the bar with the thumb facing your butt. Your arm has to be locked out. Then, your right hand goes above you. The rope comes over your right shoulder/neck for the other point of support. From there, you swing your body so that your hips come around the outside of the bar. Then, you let go with your right (top) hand. So, your weight is supported by your locked out left arm. Your neck/shoulder and your hips help stabalize the position. I did this trick twice.

Then, we did some conditioning - 25 push-ups and 20 dips. I also ended with some stretching.

So, it was an awesome class. I'm going to be doing some pretty advanced tricks in my performance. It will be awesome. Also, my double-ups and L-ups have gotten really smooth. I no longer hit the bar on the way up. I felt a lot stronger, too. I'm not doing the straight legged double up, but I might not do that kind anyway. I'll have to see. But, I used to really struggle on the L-Ups (the transition from the double-knee hang to sitting on the bar). This week it was really easy. I think the drop in body fat is really helping. Also, I'm gaining strength, too. It's very exciting. This is really starting to come together.

Oh! And, I bought this new salt/oil scrub product for my hands. I think it's helping.