Pages

My Flying Trapeze Story - My 2nd Flyer-versary

Tuesday, March 24, 2015


Happy 2nd Flyer-versary to me!

Some people may think it’s silly to celebrate such a thing, but this date is pretty important to me. March 25, 2013 was a critical moment in my own personal history; it was a day that my life was changed forever.
 
 There are periods in time traditionally marked by specific life events…marriages, births, graduations, deaths. While these milestones are very important to me as well, it’s nice to also celebrate other poignant life events that have molded me into the person I am today, such as going to my first punk show (NOFX/Bouncing Souls at The Edge in FTL, early 1996), my first trip to Europe (Switzerland, June 1999) or finding the courage to “jump out of a perfectly good plane” (sky diving at Sky Dive Space Center, October 16, 2006).

I love looking back and thinking about these different events and how they weave the fabric of our own beings, each event leading us from one point in time to another. Anyone remember the scene in High Fidelity where John Cusack’s character reveals that he is organizing his records autobiographically?



But I digress…

Back to flying…so I log all my fly sessions. It really helps to document key elements of the tricks I learn and also the feedback I receive. I was inspired to track my flying classes after reading about logbooks on the TSNY website. Having never flown there, I’m not entirely sure of their process, but I’ve created one that works for me. I always document where I was flying, how many hours and if I caught that day. It’s really fun to look back and see what I was working on and whom I was training with on any specific date. Periodically, I’ll read through the feedback on specific tricks if I’m having a mental block (ahem, looking at you, layout). It’s also helpful to read as an instructor in order to gain coaching inspiration from my own teachers.

The reason I bring this up is because as I celebrate two years of flying, I find myself looking back fondly at all my past scribbles and smiling at just how incredible this ride has been. These notes to myself not only remind me of skills and technique, but also of specific points in time that I cherish dearly such as my first swing out of lines, first round trip to the board, finally flying at Cotton Candy Club after lurking on the pink rig for many months and even flying alongside of flying trapeze legend Tony Steele!

Last year, I celebrated my first flyer-versary at Trapeze Federation in Orlando with Zach and Rob. I threw backend splits across and worked on the press from hands, no return bar. At the time I was amazed at how far I had come! Now looking back, I can’t watch the video without totally picking it apart. Maybe one day I’ll embrace it, but for now, rather than posting a video, here are a couple of my favorite photos from that day:


Lista


 Flexing with my catcher, Rob

This year I won’t be flying today, but I will be thinking about all my flying friends and looking forward to the next time we get to play together in the air.

This past weekend, however, I did have the opportunity to fly and visit with some really great flyers and circus performers. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together on the board and on the ground. Having not flown in a little while, I found myself to be extra nervous as I warmed up. I think it was a weird blend of excitement to be flying mixed with nervousness about possibly geeking it in front of so many people. The longer I was in the air, the more comfortable I became. I tried not to be too hard on myself when I missed a trick or a bar. Everyone was so wonderful and welcoming and their words were nothing but encouraging. I can't wait to fly with everyone again!

As I was leaving, I had a really nice conversation with Pedro Murillo. It was a totally wonderful end to an already fantastic day. He asked me what tricks I threw and when I told him I was working on my cutaway, he told me about learning his double cutaway half. I told him that was my dream trick!! He told me a few other stories about his life in the circus. You guys, it was such a surreal day. I am still soaring from all the excitement!


 All smiles with my catcher, Michael, from Embrace Adrenaline Trapeze Club -- Thanks for hanging for all my tricks, it was really fun flying together!!

Group photo of the day with some really famous faces in there! 

I feel so honored to have had the opportunity to spend time with so many talented, inspiring and kind people. I've jotted this day down in my logbook and I look forward to reading about it in the future, smiling as I remember all the fun. A very special thank you to Efe, Paula, John and Tony for giving me this amazing day!


My Flying Trapeze Story - How in the Heck Did I Get Started?

Monday, March 16, 2015


With my flyer-versary coming up next week, I thought it would be a good time to share my flying story. It's fairly common for people to ask me how the heck I got started with flying trapeze. I was never an acrobat, circus freak or even much of a performer. So it may seem a bit random that I am now so consumed by this "hobby", ahem LIFESTYLE of mine.

The flying act was always one of my favorite parts of any circus. I would stare in complete awe of the trapeze artists, as they appeared to defy gravity, effortlessly gliding through the air from point to point. I would sit in my seat, secretly wishing I could be a part of that magical world, thinking that sort of life was only available to those fortunate enough to be born into a circus family. 

Then, one day I saw the Sex and the City episode where Carrie does trapeze. I remember watching, wide-eye and mouth agape, realizing for the first time that maybe I didn’t have to be a circus kid in order to eventually have my chance on the flying trapeze.


In December 2012, my husband and I eloped in Vegas (it was awesome btw, I recommend it to anyone considering doing it). The day after, we drove straight to LA to celebrate our honeymoon. Before heading to LAX on our last day, we spent a few hours wandering around the Santa Monica Pier. At that time I found myself face to face with the TSNY rig for the first time. I remember staring longingly through the fence, wishing I had more time so I could take a class. I knew at that time, I had to make flying happen sooner rather than later.
Upon returning to Florida, I began searching for a flying trapeze school close to home. I found an online deal for an outdoor rig and knew it was the perfect opportunity to finally earn my wings. 

March 25, 2013 my life was changed forever.

I was so nervous my first class; my heart was beating out of my chest before I even got out of the car. I began to feel more relaxed as I chatted with the instructors, Efe and Spider; they were so warm and welcoming. I was so excited that this was finally happening but my goodness, did that platform look high! I remember leaning out from the board, butterflies in my tummy, holding the bar in both hands (wow that thing is heavier than it looks!) and feeling the adrenaline running through me.  

“Ready, hep!” and I was off! 

I fell head over heels in love with trapeze the very moment I hopped off the board. I felt complete, it was like I had a found a piece of myself that I never knew I was missing. I had forgotten about all the nervousness and stress and everything else running through my mind, I was so present in that very moment, so free. The elation continued as I rolled out of the net and onto the ground again, hands shaking and smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN. By the end of the class I knew that I had found my new obsession. With the promise of learning the splits, I vowed to be back in two weeks.

Two years later and the addiction is still as strong as ever. I am now working at the rig where I threw my first knee hang. I’ve shared trapeze with a bunch of friends, including my sister. I’ve met flying friends across the country and world and have had the opportunity to fly at some really great places. I’m so happy to be a part of this incredible community and look forward to continuing to grow as a flyer and coach.

And just for fun, here are some trapeze quick hits:

FAVORITE TRICK TO THROW: Splits
CURRENTLY WORKING ON: Layout and cutaway
DREAM TRICK: Double cutaway half or forward over in the passing leap
IN ADDITION TO TRAPEZE, I DO: Yoga and aerial arts
LAST FLY TRIP: Trapeze High Florida in Jacksonville to celebrate Alex’s birthday
DREAM FLY TRIP: Flying Trapeze Adventures in Koh Tao, Thailand
FAVORITE TRAPEZE VIDEO: the Flying Terrels at the 1976 World Championship or anything with the legendary, Terry Cavaretta
ADVICE TO NEW FLYERS: Take a deep breath, relax and listen for the calls.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT TRAPEZE: The camaraderie and trust built between flying friends and the feeling of absolute freedom catching and returning out of lines
FUNNIEST OVERHEARD AT TRAPEZE MOMENT:
Flyer: I'm so excited! I'm getting my own custom trapeze safety belt!!
Catcher: Why are you doing that? Aren't you usually trying to get out of wearing one?
Flyer: .....sighhhh...yes....
Catcher: ....well I guess they're a lot like condoms...no one wants to wear one...
Flyer: ...but sometimes they're necessary for your own protection...


Proudly designed by | mlekoshiPlayground |