Trapeze Private Lesson

I had my private lesson on Saturday, and I was very glad that I went before the class started. It was kind of a mixed thing for me. I was able to do almost all of the tricks (which was great - there was the very real possibility that I might not have been able to do much of anything). I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to get a pretty routine together in honor of Ariella. Granted, I have a LOT of work to do in the 8 weeks. I might need to go to some of the open aerial sessions on Sunday afternoons to get additional practice. It's going to require quite a bit of endurance to be able to do an entire routine.

So, here's how the session went. I arrived a bit early, and Joelle and I talked for a bit, catching up. She led me through a short warm-up/stretching session, but she wanted most of the time to be on the trapeze (which was perfect). I had done a full stretching session at home about an hour or so before I left, so I was already pretty limber.

My first time up, I did the following:

Split under the bar
Mermaid under the bar
1 knee hang
1 knee roll-up
Fetal balance
Free handed hammock
Double arm flag
Seahorse
Amazon
Flag
Air Split

Everything went decently smoothly. On the 1 knee hang, I hooked with my 2nd leg, making it more secure. In past routines, I didn't need to do that. It would have felt way too unsteady, though, without the hook. Some people perform the trick that way anyway, though. So, it's not a huge deal either way. Also, I found that I wasn't able to hold any of the tricks for very long at all. That's something I'll definitely have to work on. Joelle was impressed that I was able to do so many in succession, though (as was I). And, I think all the preparation and mental review really helped.

For the seahorse, I learned that I don't have to do the whole setup for it that I did in my routine (the setup was the hardest part). So, that will help a lot. Also, I had been thinking that the Flag trick was called "Standing Flag". But, actually it's just called "Flag".

Then, after a little break (Joelle gave me lots of good tips while I was resting, so it wasn't wasted time), I went back up.

I did Thread the Needle and Iron Cross. Thread the Needle took several attempts, which kind of surprised me. I couldn't get my leg up and around the rope. It wasn't because I wasn't flexible enough. As it turned out, I needed to push my body out and away from the ropes to be able to get the angle to get my leg up. Joelle even had to go up on the other trapeze while I sat on mine so that I could see the angle she was talking about. After her demonstration, though, I did get it. Boy, that trick had never been difficult for me in the past. It was sort of a shock. The Iron Cross was also kind of a shock. The first time I did that trick, I was able to get to essentially perpendicular on the first try. I came no where near close to the fully open position. I guess that move really does take some strength. But, I got through that pretty uneventfully.

Then, I came down again for another break. I discussed how I was probably going to cut some of the difficulty out - that I wanted to have fun with it and be able to perform it well. Joelle said that sounded like a great idea. I said that I didn't even want to attempt the Crow's Nest or the Arabesque. So, she got up on the trapeze and showed me a couple of easier tricks that I might want to add in - Layback Style and the Twisting Layback Style. These are very pretty, graceful positions that are relatively easy. So, I'm going to put that in to replace some of the harder tricks.

Next time up:
Layback Style (both sides)
Twisting Layback Style (both sides)
Then, I thought about doing the shoulder stand but was too scared, so I skipped that one. I went straight to the Straddle Back Balance, Birds Nest, and Angel Sequence.

Then, on the ground, I did the beginning part of the Shoulder Stand (the part where you go upside down and wrap your legs) on the silks close to the ground rather than on the trapeze way up there.

Then, I went back up on the trapeze and was going to try the shoulder stand from a sitting position, but nope... So, I just did the Straddle Back Balance, Birds Nest, and Angel Sequence again.

And then, I tried the Ladybug (with heavy spot). There's no way I'm getting that at the end of a performance in 8 weeks, so I'm cutting that. But, it will be fine ending with the Angel Sequence.

So, here is my latest version of what I think the routine will be:
Split under the bar
Mermaid under the bar
1 knee hang
1 knee roll-up
Layback Style (both sides)
Fetal balance
Free handed hammock
Double arm flag
Seahorse
Amazon
Flag
Air Split
Thread the Needle
Iron Cross
Shoulder Stand
Straddle Back Balance
Birds Nest
Angel Sequence

I figure I may or may not have to hook my leg for the 1 knee hang. If not, great. But, if so, not a big deal. But, I need to get the Shoulder Stand. It's my transition from standing to back down for the end. I'm not sure why it was so difficult. It was probably mostly a mental/fear thing. I should be able to get it in a couple of weeks.

But, I really need to amp up my strength (and losing a few pounds wouldn't hurt either). I've realized that the trapeze required a lot of back and shoulder strength. I had been thinking it was mostly abs and arms. But, the sore muscles are definitely back and shoulders. So, I'll need to tailor my weight training to that. Joelle also showed me a couple of exercises to do at home - rolling to a balance with a rounded back (a pilates exercise), and holding onto someone's ankles, piking, rolling up, extending toes to the ceiling, and then rolling back down.

I was really struck with how scary the trapeze is! I don't remember it being that scary. I'm thinking it's because I started with a very gradual progression. This time I just threw myself back into the mix. I'm sure it will get better soon, but I just kept thinking "and I want Ariella to do this?!?" Lol! But, I'm definitely glad that I did this lesson rather than having my first time back up there be at a class of people, where we're all supposed to be "comfortable" with an aerial apparatus. I'm sure I can get this. It will be some work, though.