Fifteen Days of Practice - April 26, 2009

Even though it was the last day of Beginner Aerials B, Jackie wanted us to learn and review the moves that she thought were necessary to be able to go on to the next level since she felt that most students in the class were in fact, ready.

We had a jam packed day on the corde lisse. After climbing, we reviewed the “foot block”, and its moves: the “elbow lean away”, “1-hand hang”, “back arch”,

“squat”, “thigh side lean”,

and “trapezius angel”. We also reviewed the “upside-down descent” by climbing to the top of the corde lisse, and descending all the way down in that position, ending in a “½ roll”. Lastly, I learned (the rest of the class reviewed) the “waist block moves”:

“part 2 (leg wrap layout)”,

“part 3 (hang back)”,

and “flyer”. "Flyer" looks similar to "waist block part 2", but you hold onto the free rope and in the same hand, the rope above your body. Here are the pictures of me trying those moves, please forgive the fact that most of them feature my behind, the pictures were taken from a balcony and the angle is regrettable.

On the trapeze, we reviewed the sitting moves: “splits”, “trapezius angel”, “gazelles”, “crucifix”, “upside-down X” then “upside-down X to ankles”, “rainbow”, “coffin”, and “tree creature”. We learned the “flag” and “double flag” as well as “necklace”. I have a rather blurry picture of me attempting the “flag” and “double flag”. Basically, you sit like you are setting up for stripper, but instead of rotating around a rope, you straighten your body into a diagonal, and rotate around yourself.

The necklace, I honestly forget how to do, but I remember being uncomfortable and feeling unstable.

Since it was the last class of the session, my dad insisted on coming to observe since he had never seen what I do. He brought along his camera and took pictures of me trying out the moves (that is why I am wearing the same clothing in all the pictures of me). It was nice to have both of my parents there supporting me and my senior project endeavors.

Two Weeks of Classes – April 19, 2009

This class on the fabric, from start to finish was completely a review. And to me, that was a very good thing. After climbing on the corde lisse, we headed over to the silks to review the “double crochet to double crucifix” and the “teddy bear (front balance)” drop. Practice makes perfect, and both moves definitely went much smoother today than they did in the previous session.

On the trapeze, we learned two new tricks, the “coffin” and “tree creature”, and attempted the “eagle”.

This is a picture of me in coffin. I should be straighter, but for a first try, not too bad.

This is a picture of me setting up for “tree creature”. Basically, you scoot your butt all the way to the end, and put your feet up onto the rope and allow your arms to relax as they please.

The eagle is similar to the “½ eagle”, but in the “eagle”, both arms are holding the rope facing down instead of one arm up and one arm down.

The class ended with the same “toughening” and “strengthening” moves that we always do. This class was particularly special, because my grandma came to watch me. Usually my mom only comes for the last few minutes, but since my grandma was with her, she stayed for almost the whole thing. It was nice sharing that experience with her, and showing her what I do.

Bat Mitzvah Class – April 12, 2009

For those of you readers who are not Jewish, or just do not get the reference, the “Bat Mitzvah Class” refers to the age at which I became a Bat Mitzvah, 13, and drawing a connection to the fact that this is my 13th class. So here we go.

Class began like normal, but I climbed the fabric instead of the corde lisse. We began with a quick “foot block” moves review, and I chose the “1-hand hang” and the “back arch”.



After a month working just on the corde lisse in the Beginner Aerials B class, we finally moved over to the fabric. There, I learned (they reviewed) four new moves: the “double crochet to double crucifix”, the wrap for the “thigh drop/star drop”, “the teddy bear (front balance drop)”, and tried the “waist block” on the fabric. The “waist block” on the fabric works the same way as it does on the corde lisse, but there is more fabric to manipulate, so initially, it is more of a challenge. The next move I learned was the “double crochet to double crucifix”. To do this one, separate the silks and do a straddle up in between them. Then wrap your legs (left leg left silk, right leg right silk) and squeeze your feet together with the fabric between them. Then, with your hands, follow the separate silks across your back and cross them. When you feel ready, untangle your legs, and go vertical. This is a picture of a move very close to the one I am describing, but in this picture, the fabric does not twist behind her back.

Next, I learned the wrap for the “thigh drop/star drop”. You can see him do the wrap and the actual drop, but since I am a beginner, I and Jackie both opted for me just to learn the wrap for now.

The last drop we learned was the “teddy bear (front balance drop)”. What happens with this drop is once you’ve done the wrap for the “double crochet à double crucifix”, you let the extra fabric rest on your shoulders, and pull yourself up to sitting. You then pull the fabric above/in front of you into an X and do an “up and over” to pull yourself above it. Next, bend your knees and hold onto the extra fabric with your hands. Straighten your body out and allow yourself to fall forward. I heard a huge clanging noise and felt my knees bang together. Once you have reached that point, let go with your knees and fall forward into the “double crochet to double crucifix”. It isn’t the prettiest of drops, but it is an easy one for a beginner to learn.

On the trapeze, we simply did a review of the moves: “birds nest”, “splits”, “crucifix” and “up and over”. I guess I improved a bit, but nothing special or out of the ordinary to report from that apparatus today.

I realized that I am missing two classes on my skills/moves chart. One of the weeks I was at Tulane, and the other, I realized was that I simply forgot to bring my chart to class, and did not remember to leave a space open to fill it back in. My guess is that we did a review and did not learn new moves, although the same cannot be said about the class that I actually missed. With that said, only two classes are left of my Beginner Aerials B before the performances start (which I will be attending because Shmulie Shmaters will be performing), I have to make a decision about what classes to take during the next session so that I can present something interesting to the panel for my Senior Project presentation.