10th Trapeze Class

Getting back to the trapeze was awesome. After warming up and stretching a lot, we each ran through our routines to our music. I was able to do my entire routine - even the strength-intensive LadyBug trick at the end. Granted, I have a lot to improve upon, but I was able to do all the tricks in the proper order. Endurance and strength was absolutely no problem. My music is exactly the right length, and it looks like I'm going to use all 4:28 of it. If I run over, they'll just loop it, which wouldn't be ideal. But, hopefully as I get more used to the routine, it will flow well with the music.

One thing I need to think about is my entrance. We have to come out from behind the curtains and make our way over to the trapeze. So, I need to figure out what I'm going to do for that. Luckily, my music starts off in such a way that I should be able to come up with something good. I need to make it brief, though, since I need a lot of music for the trapeze routine.

So, during class, I ran through my routine twice with my instructor and once on my own (with another student reading out my list of tricks to me if I would forget what to do next). And, then I worked on the beginning of my routine on my own as well. The part I need to work on the most is coming out of the Catcher's Hang into the beat to move my hands apart. I need to figure out how to get both hands to slide apart at the same time in one movement. Only then will it look really graceful. So far, I've only been able to do 1 hand and then the other.

But, there is lots of progress. I feel completely comfortable with the shoulder stand and the Forward Roll, which are my most difficult tricks. And, I don't think that I'm going to fall off. So, now I really have to work on making everything flow together. Also, I need to get my routine memorized. Now that I've actually done the entire routine in a row a couple of times, I can start some mental visualization practice to help me memorize it. I should really do that every day. I think there was a study where they took a group of basketball players and made 1 group stop playing for a period of time. A second group practiced. And, then a 3rd group did mental visualization of practicing. After few weeks or so of the study were up they tested the players. The whole study was geared around free throws (so that's what they practiced and visualized). The first group had declined, but the 2nd and 3rd groups had both improved. So, I think there's something to it. Regardless, it will be the best way for me to memorize my routine.