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.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Seventeenth Class – Mary 14, 2009
I have decided that it really isn’t necessary for me to describe my Aerial Conditioning class, for the purpose of my Senior Project. If it becomes apparent that I am learning a significant number of tricks to warrant a write up, I will, but as for now, I will only be summarizing my Beginner Aerials B and Intermediate/Advanced classes.
Tonight was the first night of my Intermediate/Advanced Aerials class. Shana Kennedy, the owner of The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, is my teacher. I was told that she is the best at breaking down the more complicated moves, so that is why I signed up for her class. I feel confident with the basic moves, but for the more advanced ones, I’m not so full-speed-ahead.
But today, Shana was out of town, so my Monday night instructor, Kate, was our teacher.
We spent the entire time on the fabric. My favorite. Clearly Kate and I were off to a good start since she bypassed all the parts I don’t like and went straight for the ones I do. After climbing with our left and right foot, we
learned a new climb, the straddle climb. In this video, the girl goes up a few climbs. This will explain the move much better than I can, I’m sure. We followed that up with the “waist block”, “part 2”, “part 3”, and “flyer”. From the waist block, we learned a move called the “secretary”, which involves a wrap that starts from the “waist block”, and ends with you sitting on the silks as if you were sitting at a desk. The other move we learned doesn’t have a formal name, but Kate likes to call it the sumo wrestler because of the way the fabric ties around your legs. This is a picture of a similar move. In the “sumo” move though, there is an extra wrap around the groin. Cool stuff.
From the “upside-down descent”, we worked on “upside-down T” and “frog”.
Because I was sore and tired from the Aerial Conditioning class, and I somehow managed to injure my back doing the "upside-down X" during my Beginner Aerials B class, I was not able to do as many tuck ups as I had on Monday. I only managed 1 alone before requiring help. Hey, at least I tried and in the future, I will be able to do more because of my temporary pain right now.
Tonight was the first night of my Intermediate/Advanced Aerials class. Shana Kennedy, the owner of The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, is my teacher. I was told that she is the best at breaking down the more complicated moves, so that is why I signed up for her class. I feel confident with the basic moves, but for the more advanced ones, I’m not so full-speed-ahead.
But today, Shana was out of town, so my Monday night instructor, Kate, was our teacher.
We spent the entire time on the fabric. My favorite. Clearly Kate and I were off to a good start since she bypassed all the parts I don’t like and went straight for the ones I do. After climbing with our left and right foot, we
learned a new climb, the straddle climb. In this video, the girl goes up a few climbs. This will explain the move much better than I can, I’m sure. We followed that up with the “waist block”, “part 2”, “part 3”, and “flyer”. From the waist block, we learned a move called the “secretary”, which involves a wrap that starts from the “waist block”, and ends with you sitting on the silks as if you were sitting at a desk. The other move we learned doesn’t have a formal name, but Kate likes to call it the sumo wrestler because of the way the fabric ties around your legs. This is a picture of a similar move. In the “sumo” move though, there is an extra wrap around the groin. Cool stuff.From the “upside-down descent”, we worked on “upside-down T” and “frog”.
Because I was sore and tired from the Aerial Conditioning class, and I somehow managed to injure my back doing the "upside-down X" during my Beginner Aerials B class, I was not able to do as many tuck ups as I had on Monday. I only managed 1 alone before requiring help. Hey, at least I tried and in the future, I will be able to do more because of my temporary pain right now.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sweet Sixteen – May 11, 2009
There was a week in between the end of classes and the beginning of the new session devoted to performances. Many of my fellow aerial students and Shmulie Shmaters performed. Most people said their best performance was the 9:00 PM show, and that they made more mistakes during the 7:00 PM show.
Looking back on my progress from my Beginner Aerials B class, I learned 10 new moves on the corde lisse, 5 new moves on the fabric, and 28 new moves on the static trapeze. These additions brought my total to 20 moves on the corde lisse, 16 moves on the fabric and 41 moves learned on the trapeze; for a grand total of 77 moves on the aerial apparatuses. That’s a pretty big accomplishment seeing as I knew 0 moves as of 17 weeks ago.
For this session, I decided to take three classes, the Beginner Aerials B on Monday nights at 7:00PM, Aerial Conditioning on Wednesday nights at 6:30PM, and Intermediate/Advanced Aerials on Thursday nights at 7:30 PM. I wanted to get my hours up for senior project, and I also wanted to learn some cool new moves. However, I didn’t feel totally confident to take an Intermediate/Advanced class without the backup support of taking another round of Beginner Aerial B for move review and extra practice and Aerial Conditioning for strengthening. I think it is a good combination, but sometimes, I get tired or sore during the Intermediate/Advanced class because of my Aerial Conditioning class from the night before.
Since it was the first class, my new instructor, Kate, wanted to see where everyone was as far as knowing and mastering moves. On the corde lisse, we climbed with both feet and then set to work reviewing. We did the “foot block” moves: “elbow lean away”, “1-hand hang”, “squat”, “back arch”, “thigh side lean” and the “back of knee hang”. We also did the “waist block” “upside-down descent”, and the “½ roll” out of the “upside-down descent”.
We did a similar review of the basic moves on the trapeze. Starting with the “rock and roll”, 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” (different from candlestick only in foot placement). After that, we did the sitting moves “trapezius angel”, “coffin” and “tree creature”. We finished with an “up and over” to a “front balance”. We did in about an hour, what took me two sessions of classes to learn and develop. Talk about going fast on your first day.
The only new move we learned was the “star”. It looks like “splits between the ropes”, but instead of a classic split, you do a straddle split. Pretty simple.
The class ended with the same “toughening” and “strengthening” exercises as the previous two sessions. Just like Jackie, Kate wanted us to try to do the “strengthening” moves on our own. I managed one pull-up by myself and three tuck ups. Not too bad for a fairly recent beginner, but I knew that I wanted to be able to do more.
Looking back on my progress from my Beginner Aerials B class, I learned 10 new moves on the corde lisse, 5 new moves on the fabric, and 28 new moves on the static trapeze. These additions brought my total to 20 moves on the corde lisse, 16 moves on the fabric and 41 moves learned on the trapeze; for a grand total of 77 moves on the aerial apparatuses. That’s a pretty big accomplishment seeing as I knew 0 moves as of 17 weeks ago.
For this session, I decided to take three classes, the Beginner Aerials B on Monday nights at 7:00PM, Aerial Conditioning on Wednesday nights at 6:30PM, and Intermediate/Advanced Aerials on Thursday nights at 7:30 PM. I wanted to get my hours up for senior project, and I also wanted to learn some cool new moves. However, I didn’t feel totally confident to take an Intermediate/Advanced class without the backup support of taking another round of Beginner Aerial B for move review and extra practice and Aerial Conditioning for strengthening. I think it is a good combination, but sometimes, I get tired or sore during the Intermediate/Advanced class because of my Aerial Conditioning class from the night before.
Since it was the first class, my new instructor, Kate, wanted to see where everyone was as far as knowing and mastering moves. On the corde lisse, we climbed with both feet and then set to work reviewing. We did the “foot block” moves: “elbow lean away”, “1-hand hang”, “squat”, “back arch”, “thigh side lean” and the “back of knee hang”. We also did the “waist block” “upside-down descent”, and the “½ roll” out of the “upside-down descent”.
We did a similar review of the basic moves on the trapeze. Starting with the “rock and roll”, 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” (different from candlestick only in foot placement). After that, we did the sitting moves “trapezius angel”, “coffin” and “tree creature”. We finished with an “up and over” to a “front balance”. We did in about an hour, what took me two sessions of classes to learn and develop. Talk about going fast on your first day.
The only new move we learned was the “star”. It looks like “splits between the ropes”, but instead of a classic split, you do a straddle split. Pretty simple.
The class ended with the same “toughening” and “strengthening” exercises as the previous two sessions. Just like Jackie, Kate wanted us to try to do the “strengthening” moves on our own. I managed one pull-up by myself and three tuck ups. Not too bad for a fairly recent beginner, but I knew that I wanted to be able to do more.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Reflection Journal: Day 6
Question: What did I learn about myself that was significant re: my strengths, weaknesses, fears, fears overcome, etc.?
Answer: I am answering this question based on my experience in my Beginner Aerials A class, January 4th – February 8th. The main thing that I learned was that I was no longer strong. Where had all my strength and flexibility from years of gymnastics, field hockey, track and crew gone? It was just about a year since the last time that I had rowed in a boat, but I didn’t realize that my strength and flexibility would decay so quickly. My abs were still strong, but I no longer had the “ridge”. I also realized that I had a lingering fear of heights. Simple things like climbing to the top of the rope scared me. My apparent lack of strength combined with not used to being that high off the ground, definitely kept me nervous. But I also realized that I have this great inner strength. I don’t measure my success by what pant size I wear or my weight, because that it all relative. I measure my success in how well I perform and how much of my own body weight I can lift. Even if things are looking as if I might have to quit, I am determined to work harder until I can accomplish my goals. I know that if I continue doing pushups, pull-ups, tuck-ups, and sit-ups that I will get stronger. I know that if I make the effort to stretch everyday, I will get more flexible. I know that if I continue to climb that rope, and set small goals like making it one step higher, that eventually, I will reach the top. I know that is how I can overcome my deficiencies.
Answer: I am answering this question based on my experience in my Beginner Aerials A class, January 4th – February 8th. The main thing that I learned was that I was no longer strong. Where had all my strength and flexibility from years of gymnastics, field hockey, track and crew gone? It was just about a year since the last time that I had rowed in a boat, but I didn’t realize that my strength and flexibility would decay so quickly. My abs were still strong, but I no longer had the “ridge”. I also realized that I had a lingering fear of heights. Simple things like climbing to the top of the rope scared me. My apparent lack of strength combined with not used to being that high off the ground, definitely kept me nervous. But I also realized that I have this great inner strength. I don’t measure my success by what pant size I wear or my weight, because that it all relative. I measure my success in how well I perform and how much of my own body weight I can lift. Even if things are looking as if I might have to quit, I am determined to work harder until I can accomplish my goals. I know that if I continue doing pushups, pull-ups, tuck-ups, and sit-ups that I will get stronger. I know that if I make the effort to stretch everyday, I will get more flexible. I know that if I continue to climb that rope, and set small goals like making it one step higher, that eventually, I will reach the top. I know that is how I can overcome my deficiencies.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
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”,
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.
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”, 
“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.
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.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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.
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.
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