Senior Project Presentation Video

This is the video of me performing an aerial silks routine. Julie Waters coreographed it. We used the music that was already playing in the studio when we were ready to film. I hope you enjoy!

Shana if you are watching this...I'm sorry it's so messy it was the first time I ever attempted a routine and at the point that we filmed this, it was my third attempt in about 20 minutes.

Final Reflection Essay

My main purpose for my Senior Project was to learn how to perform on the Aerial Silks (also called the tissu or fabric). In reality, I learned so much more about the world of aerial acrobatics than my narrow definition. I expected the rope burn and sore muscles, but I was not expecting the mental tests of the project. I am happy to say that I have been able to overcome many of them, from strength and confidence issues to fear of heights. Not only did I learn 26 different moves on the silks, but I also learned 22 different moves on the corde lisse (rope), 46 different moves on the static trapeze (non-moving trapeze), and 6 on the hoop. I am very proud of my accomplishments both physically and mentally.

Because of my unusual choice in Senior Project experience, I feel as though a whole new world of opportunity has been given to me. I used to think the aerial performing arts were available only to those performers who began at professional acrobatic gyms at young ages, all destined to perform in Cirque du Soleil. Through my time at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, I have met many talented performers who have started later in life, but are in performing troupes and who have tried out for the Cirque.

Learning how to perform on various aerial apparatuses like the static trapeze, hoop, corde lisse, and fabric, are definitely not something that the average person would be able to find in a gym class, or a fitness gym for that matter. I used to think there was a wide divide, between the clowns and tight rope walkers of the average Barnum & Bailey’s Circus and the graceful aerial acrobats of the Cirque du Soleil. However, the accessibility of something I previously considered so out of the ordinary, has really changed my perspective on those performers, from untouchables to average people simply doing what they love, just like me. Although I do not see this as a future career path for me, I do see it as a fun way to get and stay in shape as well as to experience the euphoric adrenaline rush of performing.

Twenty Classes Down... - May 25, 2009

Today, I went into the studio with Shmulie Shmaters. She helped me to create a routine, which will be featured in my actual presentation. We also took pictures or some moves that I knew. It was fun, and definately rewarding to see how I looked in the various positions.

My routine consisted of several variations on the "arch thru", "stag thru", "squat down", "split down", "waist block" and "part 2" and "part 3" and the "teddy bear drop" into "double crochet to double crucifix". We set the routine to some slower salsa music.

Shmulie also took some pictures of me doing the individual moves, amoung others like the "inverted hang", "inverted splits", and the "between the silks birdsnest".

All in all it was successful, and Shmulie really was a great help.

Reflection Journal: Day 18

Question: What important learning occurred in the last 5 days?

Answer: I am answering the question based on my experience in my Beginner Aerials B (1st and 2nd sessions), Aerial Conditioning, and Intermediate/Advanced Aerials classes, April 19th – May 25th. Besides the obvious answers of greater strength, flexibility and knowledge of moves, I think that I have learned how to take criticism and build on it, how to persevere even when the moves seem too scary or tough, and how to maintain a positive attitude even when we are doing repetitive reviews or conditioning. The ability to take criticism, perseverance, and maintaining a positive attitude are all attributes that are as highly valued as skill in the work place. Of course I knew how to do all these things before I decided to send myself flying through the air, but it does seem to take on a new meaning when the only thing between your face and the floor is a thin trapeze bar or a piece of fabric no thicker than a nice pair of Soffe shorts.

No one is perfect, and I certainly am not now nor was I when I first began learning the moves. Everyone from instructors to fellow students will tell you what you are doing wrong, and to a certain degree how you can make it better. It truly builds self confidence when you see or feel yourself do a move correctly. It feels even better when the person who previously told you that what you were doing did not look so pretty, is now telling you that it looks elegant and beautiful. Their critiquing of my moves certainly stung a bit when I knew that I was working so hard at doing them. But by allowing myself to take a step back, I realized that they were telling me so that I can improve and not continue down a path of ugly tricks. I became reliant on whether my moves were deemed pretty or try-it-again-different.

Along the same line is my development of greater perseverance. It is hard being scared, or in pain or weak or being told that my hard work did not turn out so well week after week. I had to learn how to internalize those upset emotions, and to continue building and working on my skills so that I could get better. If I let myself sink into self annoyance and frustration, the cycle would only continue. I used the negative energies and feedback as inspiration to do better next week.

Also continuing in the same vein is my increased positive attitude. If you let all the dissatisfactions get to you, then you will get no where. I had to remind myself to stay positive. When doing the strengthening exercises, I counted up for the first eight, and then chanted “two left…one left…GO FOR THE GOLD!”. It really helped keep me motivated when the count to ten repetitions seemed endless. It I had not been able to stay so positive, I probably would have become discouraged with my progress and the class, and overall would not have had as much fun during my senior project as I did.

Nineteen Classes Old and Still Young – May 21, 2009

Shana was present for todays class. I quickly found out, that while she is good at breaking moves down for beginners, she doesn’t tolerate messiness when you can do better. I learned that fairly quickly, and had to remind myself not to take it personally, she just wants me to perform the tricks to the best of my ability and make them look pretty and effortless.

Today, we climbed on both feet on the corde lisse, did the “foot block” moves: “elbow lean away”, “1-hand hang”, “squat”, “back arch”, “thigh side lean”, “back of knee hang”, and “trapezius angel”; the “waist block” moves: “part 2”, “part 3”, and “flyer; and “upside-down descent” into the “½ roll”. But today was not just some review day, we also learned “cross legs” and part 1 of the “arrow sequence”. Oh, and did I mention that we also attempted all of these moves on our bad side (my left foot). Let’s just say that there was lots of messiness and room to improve. The “cross legs” is a variation on the “trapezius angel” and the part 1 of the “arrow sequence” begins in the “trapezius angel”. Basically, you do a big straddle and hook your foot onto the rope above your head. Let me tell you as someone who was definitely not ready for that type of stretch, your hamstrings certainly will not thank you in the immediate future. I was not doing it right because I kept bringing my legs closer together on the way up. If it is done correctly, your body shifts just a little bit, and your legs stay straight. Due to lack of experience, I accidentally bent my legs and had quite an ordeal trying to get out of the move without falling onto the ground.

On the trapeze, we did one gigantic review. The problem with the moves I was doing was that I was not extending my body enough. If I remembered to point my toes more often and arched my back a little more, I could have appeared so much longer. Also, part of the performance is so that the audience can see the moves. Shana reminded us that along with extending ourselves, slowly down and holding the various moves would also give them more control and would in turn look prettier.

To review, we did the “rock and roll”, “stag”, “tuck up on ropes” and “birds nest”. We then moved onto the “mermaid sequence”: “mermaid”, “½ angel”, “back angel”, “one-hand one-foot”, “one-knee one-elbow”, and “candlestick”. We did the sitting moves “trapezius angel” into “splits” (it was fast and fun), and “gazelles”. We also tried the “split leg rotation” to remount the trapeze after the “trapezius angel” into “splits”. The “split leg rotation” resembled a “monkey roll”, but instead of both legs hugging the bar, only one leg did, while the other kicked the body around into an upright position. We also worked on our “birds nest from sitting” and “side pose”. “Side pose” is a move where you stand on one leg, on one side and curve your neck around the rope. Pretty simple. And just like Shana wanted us to do on the corde lisse, we tried it again on our weaker side. Of course it was harder, but not impossible.

Although much of the day was review, unlike with previous teachers, Shana truly critiqued our moves and told us exactly what we were doing that kept it from being perfect and beautiful. I think her class is going to be challenging, but hopefully I will learn the grace and gain the strength and flexibility to make it look effortless and graceful.

Eighteen Chai!!! – May 18, 2009

Today, Kate was absent, so Kitsie (who is in both my Aerial Conditioning and my Intermediate/Advanced classes) taught the Beginner Aerials B today. My back is still sore from the last class, but hey, you move on and deal with the pain. This past weekend, in fact Saturday night, my friends Laura and Sarah went with me to see the Barnum & Bailey Circus – Zing, Zang, Zoom. It was definitely fun to watch and I got excited because some of the move the performers did on the silks, I knew variations on. Yay!

Today, we climbed on both feet on the corde lisse. We also did the “foot block” moves: “elbow lean away”, “1-hand hang”, “squat”, “back arch”, “thigh side lean” and the “back of knee hang”. We did the “waist block” moves: “part 2”, “part 3”, and “flyer”. After that little review, we learned the “Christ moves #1 & #2”. They are variations on the “trapezius angel”, but without the “foot block”.

On the trapeze, we did the “rock and roll”, and then in order we did: the “stag”, “tuck up on ropes” and “birds nest”. We then moved onto the “mermaid sequence”: “mermaid”, “½ angel”, “back angel”, “one-hand one-foot”, “one-knee one-elbow”, “candlestick” and “fireman’s hang”. After that, we did the sitting moves “splits”, “trapezius angel”, “gazelles”, “crucifix”, “upside-down X”, “coffin” and “tree creature”.

We finished with the usual toughening and strengthening exercises. Today, I managed two pull ups on my own and three tuck ups. I guess the three class overload schedule was beginning to work.

Reflection Journal: Day 12

Question: How did the experiences during the last 5 days help me achieve goals I established re: my area of interest?

Answer: I am answering this question based on my experience in my Beginner Aerials A and Beginner Aerials B classes, February 15th – April 12th. The past few days, I have learned a total of 16 new moves on the corde lisse, 14 new moves on the fabric, and 30 new moves on the trapeze, for a grand total of 60 new moves. Every new move that I learn and every conditioning exercise brings me closer to my goals. I have become more aware of my body, where they are in space when I am upside down, how to stay tight during drops, and how to know when I have gone far enough in a stretch. Every new move added to my repertoire is one that I can use in a future routine. Every time I practice a move or work on a conditioning exercise, I become more aware of how something is supposed to feel when it is done correctly. When I look at pictures of myself or watch myself in the mirror, I learn to recognize how my body looks and what makes it more beautiful and what makes it uglier. Ultimately, I would like to get back in shape and create a routine that shows off my moves. I think that these past seven classes have shown that I am making great strides toward my goal.