9th Trapeze Class

My trapeze routine is really starting to come together! I'm actually believing that I will be able to do my entire routine by mid-January.

I arrived early to class (as usual). I changed into my blue costume, but I had brought all the costumes with me just in case. My instructor thought the blue costume was really pretty, but she wanted to see all the costumes on me. So, I put on a fashion show of sorts (at least that's what she said). She liked all of them, but she especially liked the black one and the blue one (my 2 favorites). So, I left the black one on to see how it would work on the trapeze. I had been concerned about that one since there was so much bare skin, and I didn't know if the costume would interfere with the tricks. As it turns out, it worked amazingly. There was no interference.

Later on in the class, I changed back into the blue costume to try it out. Pretty much the very first trick, after the double knee hang, I went to grab the bar with my hands, and I found that the skirt of the costume was completely covering the bar! So, that was a problem. I'm going to have to cut the skirt shorter to see if that will help. But, most likely I'll wear the black costume. The skirt kept falling down on the blue one when I was upside down.

My instructor said that I look very fit in the black one, and she liked that one the best. Another girl liked the blue one, saying that it looked really pretty while I was up on the trapeze. So, I'm going to give it one more shot after I cut the skirt down. But, most likely, I'll go with the black one.

So, I learned how to do the shoulder stand at class last night. It actually wasn't too difficult for me. You have to lift up into an upside down straddle (that's the hardest part), and then wrap your legs around the ropes. Then, you slide down so that the bar is on your neck/shoulders so that you're balanced. Then, you let go with your hands and extend your arms out. From there, I went into a straddle back balance. So, it made for a nice sequence. It was really cool. When I was doing the trick as part of my routine, she had me do it starting from a sit rather than a stand. Once I was upside down, she said that I was too low and that I wouldn't be able to do the trick. I thought in my head "I'm too low. No problem." And, I just muscled myself upwards into the correct position, almost effortlessly. I think she was impressed. I felt completely in control of my body.

I ran through almost the entire routine all in a row. I skipped the forward roll, though. And, I had a heavy spot on the ladybug at the end. So, I almost did the entire thing already. I just need to build up some additional endurance. And, I might wind up changing the ladybug to a crucifix for the end. It's a bit less strength intensive, but I think it would be just as effective of an end to the routine.

I practiced quite a bit on my own, too, while the instructor was working with the other students. And, then at the very end, I had the instructor spot me on the forward roll, so that I practiced that trick. It was sooooo much easier this week than the first time I did it. I have gained so much strength in the past couple of weeks. I didn't even hesitate or adjust my grip or anything. I just went, and was completely in control. I don't think I'll have a problem with that trick inside of the routine.

And, after the class, we did conditioning - 25 push ups and 30 crunches (although I did more like 50 crunches). We did heavy stretching before class, like always, and I did some stretching after class as well.

Also, we found out more about the performance night. We're going to perform as part of the 9:00pm show on Friday, Jan 16th. We'll have a dress rehearsal during our Thursday class the night before. The show itself is free, but people will have to pay for admission to the City Museum. It's apparently open until 1am on Friday nights! And, we can invite as many people as we want. We're going to get a couple of vouchers for free admission to the museum, so that will be helpful. I'm thinking that I'm going to try to get video and pictures on the night of the dress rehearsal as well as on the night of the performance. That way I'll have more than one chance to get a great performance. My husband is on board with that, and hopefully I'll see if my other friend can come Thursday night as well to take pictures. That way I'll have both pictures and video.

But, this is really going to happen! It's very exciting. No class next Thursday for Thanksgiving, so we'll have a break.