Adventure in flying trapeze: Single reverse and the blooper reel

Last night I took class with one of my friends and we both worked on single reverse. This is the trick:

1) When you get clipped in the lines, stand backwards
2) Turn around and face the catch trap. For take off is right hand under grip, left of center, and left hand right of center
3) You jump off and right yourself as soon as possible. (Untwist your hands and turn towards the board)

Untwisting my hands for single reverse. When did I get lats?

4) The teacher will call for you to change your grip and put your right hand in an over-grip

Flying. #lululemon Top Speed Crops. 

5) Next it's swinging forward, backward, forward in big kicks
6) Legs up, hook your knee. One leg straight up, the other the bar is in your knee pit.
Not like the split catch because the bar is under your knee (closer than in split catch)

Me being upside down. Legs up with knee hooked.

7) Reach and look towards the catch trap.

We practiced getting out of it—backflips and straightening your body. I never quite got the straighten your body. But it's not needed for the catch.

When it was time for catching—My friend Martha caught it. Both times. Yay her.

My first time, I didn't kick big enough and they never called for legs up. I watched the video and it was indeed a small kick but I'm strong enough that I think I could have made it without the kicks.  So I never got to try it. They called for me to backflip out.

I told Kaz I didn't kick big because I was afraid of kicking the board.

My second and final attempt at catch, I kicked much bigger. And kicked the board. Yay me!

I bruised the bottoms of my feet and that was it for the night.

So no catch for me, which honestly bummed me out. I'm trying to stay positive
1) It's almost a funny video. And I didn't really hurt myself. I was lucky I didn't hit my shins.
2) And really I wanted another turn because I know I've got that trick.  So I'm mad at myself for not getting it.

I guess I need to go back as soon as I can. So I don't forget. Hmm. Thinking about going again Friday Not sure I can afford it.


Notes to myself for next time
1) Keep your feet together
2) Kick big
3) If you're going to hit the board, swing up so you're over the board.
4) Hook your knee—the very back of it should be against the bar
5) Don't be too hard on yourself. It's not an easy trick.

10 Things I learned from Flying Trapeze

1. I have no fear of heights.
For me, it's awesome to have a such a great view.

2. My sister IS afraid of heights.
I learned this from looking at the pictures. She later said it was scarier than childbirth, which I think is WAAAAAY scarier and has a longer recovery period. (But now she's super mom and is working to conquer a fear).

3. Look at the horizon. Keep your eyes in front of you.
I was looking for the other trapeze or in front of me. I actually never thought to look down at the pavement until my sister told me her fears the day after. She kept looking at the pavement and imagining splatting. Guess which one of us was more anxious? (Other than climbing the ladder up and off the rig, I wasn't worried about my safety).

4. You have 3 safety backups.
They'll belt you in and clip a wire to your right and left sides. There's also a net to keep you from falling to the ground. That's plenty. I think the trampoline might be more dangerous.

5. The first time is the scariest, but after that it's soooo much fun.
To begin with, I climbed a very rickety ladder. So rickety, I had to clip in. I climbed to the top of the ladder at the instructor told me to take a breath. I was actually nervous. And then I wondered what would happen next. Since they made me go first. I was the guinea pig. I like others to go first. But I did it and it was a rush.

6. Just listen.
The instructors will tell you exactly what to do and when to do it. Their timing is perfect and I kept getting tricks the first time because I just did what I was told. It was fantastic.
I love this aspect of working out. I like not over thinking and just doing. It's my favorite way to go. Also, don't cheer. then you can't hear commands. Wait until after the flyer is on the ladder coming down off the net.

7. I can be good at something the first time I try it.
I am uncoordinated. I am not graceful. I am flexible. I am a slow learner, but determined. And it takes me months to get a flip someone could learn in 20 minutes. I felt like I was good at trapeze. The instructors made me good, but I like this feeling. (Which is in opposition to my usually negative, overly self critical nature.)

8. I can assign my husband to be photographer for the day and he will have fun. But bring you camera (or iPhone). You will want pictures.

9. I like being upside-down.
Well, maybe I didn't learn this one, but I was reminded that I like to be upside-down and hang off of things.

10. Don't miss a spot with your sunblock. I need to make sure to get both of my ears and behind them.