Aerial Trapeze Class

Our class was not this advanced.

Today was my first day of aerial Trapeze class. Everyone in Athens raves about Canopy and I was ready for something different so I decided to give it a try.

It was as first classes are. Go around the room and say your name, stretch, learn about the equipment, and do some tricks but not too many.

The class was a diverse mix of people—all women. A few were younger. I'd say most were 30s and 40s. There were 14 people in all.

After stretches we partnered up to work on the trapezes. First, they showed us how to lower a trapeze from the wall, take it off the caribiner and adjust the height. It was all complicated and will definitely take me a few classes.

We had partners and we took turns practicing all of the skills like getting on the trapeze. You don't simply sit on it. (My logical brain was so confused.) You start on the floor and bring your knees over and pull yourself up. We practiced sitting on the trapeze and swinging playground style. We did knee hangs—both from a low trapeze with your back on the floor and then later from a higher trapeze when you could actually hang. We practiced laying back on the trapeze, standing on the trapeze (It was shakier than I thought it would be) and something that might have been called star pose—with one foot and hand on the rope, and the other two out. We tried leaning back from standing and getting down from that (think one footed squat, while balancing on a bar) and then doing a skin the cat to get down from the trapeze. The end. That was class.

Trapeze seems complicated—there are a lot steps, and placements to remember (grip your thumb around the bar, keep your thumbs up like in thumbs up, pike this way etc.) It doesn't seem overly difficult though. I wasn't tired or winded afterwards. And perhaps I was expecting it to be more fun? (Like trampoline, acro or gymnastics. All super fun for the first class.)  I guess it could be more fun later.  For my first class, I wasn't wowed. But then again a good foundation is important. We'll see how the next class though.

Acro Yoga: First class

I tried my first acro yoga class. It was fun. And maybe more my speed than normal yoga. I'm all about tricks. 

It's at a yoga studio that seems pretty popular—there were tons of people coming out when I came in. It had a very casual atmosphere and the people there seemed friendly and welcoming. 

The class started out with going around the room and introducing yourself—we had a lot of new people. (Wherever I go, there are Canopy people and pole studio people. Maybe I roll with the adventurous crowd?). 

Then it yoga style stretching (lunges, stretching hip flexors) and abs (touch for toes, bent knees, V-ups and then banana rolls). 

Finally, it was on to tricks. We learned bird pose and folded leaf.  

(*Pix are from Friday at Aerofit—not the class)

Bird pose. Once you balance you can take your hands away.

Bird pose is where a flyer balances on the base's feet. The flyer has to keep their core and feet super tight and stay very balanced.

I tried basing for this one and I was terrible. I couldn't get the balance right. You lay on the ground and keep your legs up, inline over your hips, and at a 90 degree angle. 

Folded leaf, before the flyer is fully folded. 

Folded leaf, is where the flyer balances upside with their feet in a straddle. 

This one isn't as hard to base. The weight is in the flyer's legs, so I was more successful basing this one, but I was one of the smaller girls in the class.

Throne pose. The flyer wraps her legs around the bases legs, sits  back and balances. The leg bones stack together for this one to work. 

We also tried throne and cartwheel. I attempted shoulder stands, which was probably too advanced for me. Maybe next time?

This might be a shoulder stand. I sure wanted to try this one.

The class was difficult enough to pose a challenge athletically. I just need to remind myself not to get frustrated when I don't get something perfectly the first time. (The curse of being a perfectionist and uncoordinated!) 

Random thoughts: Is it weird to climb on people for exercise? And shouldn't former cheerleaders be all over this?

Hazards: I should add that when I got home, my skin was red on my stomach where I was balancing on people's feet. So were my shoulders. But it faded.

Quick guide to acro yoga:

Verdict: A really interesting class that I was telling all my friend about. I need to learn these poses! Also the instructors are awesome. 

Atmosphere: Friendly, laid back, welcoming and helpful. Everyone was so  great. 

Intensity: Doesn't feel intense at the time (except for small bursts when trying new holds), but my shoulders were sore the next day.

Price: It's a $5 donation class. So awesome. 

What to wear: Workout clothes. A tight fitting top might be good if you don't want it to ride up when you're upside down or inverted. It's yoga so you do it bare foot so no need for socks and shoes. 

Would I go again? Yes, though it might be more fun with friends. So come with me! I selfishly thought it was more fun to fly, so maybe I need the hubby to come with me.

If you go: Bring a yoga mat, know you're going to climb all over other people, and don't get frustrated if you don't get something the first time. Also, you might crash and fall. That's okay too! The floor is padded and the people are all super nice. 

The Nerdy Girl’s Guide to the Barre Method

I’ve been hearing a lot about Pure Barre, a ballet based fitness chain that’s popular in Athens. One of the instructors also goes to Aerofit and offered me a class on their Free Friend Friday. I was curious about what this was (and she assured me I didn’t have to be a dancer to take the class), so I tried it.

In my town, it’s in a little studio in a busy shopping center (near the Moe’s I go to and the pet store where I get dog and cat food.) You walk upstairs and there’s gorgeous studio and storefront ($90 workout pants.)

There’s a room with cubbies for your stuff, and for you to take what you need to workout: weights, a red mat, a red tube.

I then walk into a silent dance studio—full of toned women in Pure Barre socks. Thankfully, I have a friend in the class and we were chatting before class began.

The instructor is at the front of the class—on a headset. (There were 20+ people in the class). And she guides you through the workout—but after the first demo she walks around the room correcting body position—move your feet out, hands in, bend your knees, on your toes etc. She calls out kudos to those doing a good job. And it’s all encouraging, and nonstop. There is no break. There’s not even time to complain to the person next to you!

For some of the exercises I wasn’t sure what to do and because the instructor was walking around, I was trying to figure out who looked like they new what they were doing and copying them. I’d probably get the hang of this with more experience. Hopefully I wasn’t flailing too gracelessly and didn’t look TOO stupid.

The class is set up in rows—kind of a choose-your-own space situation. Part of the class is in these rows. Arm stuff with the little weights, Jane Fonda-esque leg lifts, crunches on the little red bar (killed me!). And tucking. That’s the signature move. It’s tucking your hips underneath you, bringing your tailbone down and out. Maybe the tiniest bit like an athletic baby twerk. (Your booty goes a little back when you contract).

The other part of the class is on the bar. It’s not really ballet though. It’s holding on to the bar and doing leg work—on your toes, holding one leg out, doing circles. And this part really makes your thighs burn.

And everything is in a 10-count. I kept dropping my form after 8, being relieved to be done, only for the instructor to still be counting. Oops. I’m not even a dancer and I’m used to an 8-count.

I survive the first class, fumbling through most of the motions. My thighs and abs were burning. (The crunches on the red ball really got me.) My legs hurt walking down the stairs on the way out. If I went to more classes, I’m sure I’d know what I was doing soon enough. I thought it was a good workout (but wasn’t too tired to go tumble at Aerofit for an hour afterwards).

Quick guide to Pure Barre

Verdict: I'd sum up the Pure Barre experience in one word—intense. It also worked everything I want to tone: core and thighs. Exactly what I need. And no need to be a former ballerina. I thought there was only the finest bit of dance/ ballet in the workout.

Atmosphere: For those serious about working out. This isn’t a giggle with your friends class. There isn’t even time for talking. It’s non-stop. When the workout gets too intense and you’re ready to quit, the instructor calls out stretching, so it’s active rest—with no real breaks.

Intensity: Super intense. Like Aerobics on caffeine pills and Red Bull. One of the most intense classes I’ve been in.

Price: $20 for one class. A monthly membership is $200.

What to wear: Leggings or capris, a yoga-looking top and socks. The website urges against wearing shorts. They want your leg muscles to stay warm.

Would I go again: Yes. I thought it was a great workout. I’d love it if I could afford to do this once a week or once a month and I’ve heard you get more benefit if you go everyday, but at their prices I can’t afford more than once a month.