We just held a grand opening for Sky Candy’s new aerial studio last weekend and Ryan took some fantastic photos of the teachers and students. I’ll share more of his photos once they are edited, but here are a few sneak peeks of my photos on the rope. I’m really happy with them.
I went to London last month – my first time back in a year – and was thrilled to get to take a rope class and some private lessons with my rope teacher. It was so rewarding and satisfying to hear her say how much I’ve improved over the last year – that I’m at a different level than when I left. Since there are no rope teachers in Austin, apart from what we do at Sky Candy, this was incredible validation that we’re doing something right:-)
So I’ve been working a bit on the lunge over the last couple of weeks and it’s made such a tremendous difference. Both in my technique as well as my fear of being on the high bar.
Each time I go up, it gets better and better. The very first time, I was trembling up there and couldn’t stop until about an hour after class.
It takes time to build up the trust with the instructor – my teacher is absolutely amazing. She helps me “not looook like and octopoooos” on the bar (with her strong French accent.)
The first drop in the video is a front balance to a 1-leg hox. I love it.
Here’s the very first bit of our doubles act. I think it’s looking good – so long as I can nail the up and over. We start our performance workshop next week and will have a routine at the end of the three day course. I can’t wait to show you our costumes!!
The background music is great, but it’s not our routine music. I’m keeping that a surprise.
Well, I’ve gone dark the last few months, but not because I haven’t been trapeeeeezing. In fact, I’ve made more progress in the last 6 weeks than ever. My body’s finally feeling very, very strong. I can do a pull-up from a dead hang now. W00t! I am also able to do some basic transitions more easily – up and over without cheating on the ropes, I can now (barely) go from front balance to sit and I have finally conquered by block on straddles – it was literally all in my head. As in the weight of my head. I was looking in the wrong direction!
So here’s my latest video. The goal here was to stay on for at least 3 minutes and I ened up staying on for over 4. This isn’t a choreographed routine or anything, just a bunch of technical moves I improvised along the way. I can see the areas I need to work on more. But I’m really happy I had the stamina to carry on for this long. It gives me a lot more confidence that I’ll be able to get a routine ready by Flipside.
Check it out. I just found a fantastic resource on FEDEC’s site for basic aerial skills and training here
Click on the Pedagogicals Tools tab and you can download the chapters most relevant to you.
It’s the only guide I’ve found that provides both photos/diagrams and descriptions. The European Federation of Professional Circus Schools provides resources and helps network the schools throughout Europe.
I’m a bit bummed today because I had a chance to go to a silks workshop, but the London public transportation system was not working in my favor. Yar.
Here’s a video of the new routine I’ve been working on to practice transitions. While learning each technical move on its own is a lot of fun, I completely underestimated how challenging stringing them all together — AFTER climbing the rope — would be.
While I’ve got a looong way to go before this gets anywhere near “good,” you can see I’ve made a bit of progress. Particularly just being able to do an up and over from hang into front balance. But I warn you, it’s not pretty. And the half turn to sit at the end is utterly pathetic. I’d like to build onto this so I’m moving for at least 2 minutes 30 seconds to build my stamina.
Nadia found a great space at BTS Project in South Bermondsey that rents their artist loft by the hour (SUPER cheap too) and it’s all set up for aerial rehearsals. They’ve got the rope, silks, hoop and static trapeze set up and ready to go. Dan, Nadia and I were all quite pleased that we can actually go off on our own now and practice some of the things we’ve learned.
We’ve decided to practice there every Saturday morning in addition to our Wednesday class. And I just might squeeze in an extra one every now and again. If I honestly think I’m going to do a performance at Flipside, I’ve got to step it up.
