2016 FLYING TRAPEZE RECAP LOOKING TOWARDS 2017

Annnnnd I'm back...I think...

So 2016's almost over, I can hardly believe it.  

It was quite an exciting year for me and there were quite a few highlights in terms of flying trapeze. 

I started off the year performing with the Salt City Big Top. I had so much fun flying with the team at Utah Trapeze. It was extra special to look over from the board and see my best friend sitting in the catch trap.

Over the summer, I traveled out to California and back up to Pali, where I spent two glorious days flying in the mountains with so many members of my trapeze family. It felt like coming home.

I also visited my friends at the Circus Arts Place for some flying time throughout the year. Their beautiful energy and presence in the air always inspires me. It was so much fun to take a few tandem swings with the ladies. And it was such a treat to see the great Tony Steele fly again!

And now, I'm wrapping up the year with my very own slice of trapeze paradise!!!! On October 8, 2016, Orange Blossom Trapeze was born.

Now that I am flying regularly again, I've been thinking a great deal about my goals and what I want to achieve in this upcoming year. I'm approaching this next phase of my flying career with a sense of calm acceptance, which is completely different than in years past. I've always placed unnecessary pressure on myself to do well, which caused me to taking my training days very seriously, but sometimes almost too seriously. It intensified the frustration and defeat I felt on the days that I did not perform so well. I'm still dedicated to practicing hard, but this time, knowing that I'm not counting down the days until I'm grounded again, I'm able to relax and just enjoy the ride.

I feel so out of shape and out of practice (I am and it's okay). But each practice I get stronger, my hands get a little tougher and I'm more mindful of what I'm doing with my body. Some days I have a major breakthrough and some days I fall back into my same 'ol bad habits (often during the same practice). But things are slowly coming along.

Right now I'm taking it back to the basics. I'm working on fixing my take off, swing and returns. If there is anything I hope to achieve in the next year it would be to have a strong swing and a polished look to my flying. I'm extremely fortunate to have a coach that is working so closely with me, breaking the fundamentals down into bite-sized pieces. Focusing on the individual components has allowed me to feel my swing in a very different way than ever before. 

This past weekend we had a fun little crew flying on the rig. Over the past few years, returning has become so inconsistent for me, however, I returned my tricks to the board the other day. Upon looking at the videos afterwards, I was pretty disappointed with how I looked in the air. All the hard work to fix my take off and tighten up my swing just went out the window. Even though I didn't have pretty feet and my old, ugly take off reared its head again, I worked well in-hands. I held my sweep nice and long and I stayed vertical in my press, making it back to the bar and back to board. My  round trips weren't pretty, but they felt like real progress AND THAT'S SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE.

As we get closer to 2017, I will write more about my goals for the next year and hopefully by then I will have some better video of my swing progress. Until then, I leave you with my new favorite net trick...

Without Trapeze

Grounded. Again. That's what it feels like.

Like a child who has been sent to their room, no iPhone, no Netflix, their favorite toy taken away. That's life for a flyer without trapeze.

It's been pretty quiet around here because there's not much to report trapeze-wise. I haven't been up in the air in two months, so rather than continuing to relive old memories, like I'm reliving old glory days on the football field, I've just been suffering alone in silence (sort of). 

The only up side is, the loss of grip strength has resulted in my fingers shrinking down to their normal size, which means my wedding and engagement rings now fit once again. And my palms are no longer terrifying to little kids (and my husband).

I know I'm not the only one of my Orlando friends fiending for flight. We talk about our lack of a trapeze home on the regular and discuss plans for a big family trip to a rig out of town. A date and location is still TBD. It turns out it's pretty tough to find a full-sized outdoor rig that is operational through the summer months. We have high hopes for the new rig opening up in Sarasota and look forward to making it down to the West Palm rig as soon as they are back up and running. 

The weather here is finally cooling down to a temperature where you aren't sweating the second you walk out the door. Great news for outdoor flying because that means the chalk will retain it's chalky-like texture and not turn into soap seconds after you apply it to your skin. While I love a nice, hot, sweaty yoga class, I prefer my trapeze at a temperature where I don't feel like me, the trapeze and my catcher are all melting.

This shift in weather also brings with it, a change to my status from grounded to flying trapeze mouse once again. This weekend I'll finally get to scurry up the ladder to my favorite perch in the air. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to fly with some close friends, at a place that's very special to all of us. 

Immediately when I found out about flying this weekend, I started running over everything I need to work on (my layout/force out/returning/etc). I had to literally tell myself to pump the breaks, reminding myself that this weekend is just for fun. A time to be with my flying family, enjoying our favorite activity together. I then made a promise to leave my A-type personality and the pressure I put on myself at the bottom of the ladder. If my forward over is there, it's there, if it's not, it's not. It doesn't really matter if my form isn't flawless or my harder tricks aren't solid, because what does matter is that I'll feel the air breezing by my cheeks once again and I'll feel the tight grip of my catchers hands around my wrists and the embrace of my friends as they scoop me back onto the board, tasting that freedom and friendship that drew me to flying trapeze in the first place.

My intention for this weekend is to RELAX and go back to a place where I was just grateful to be in the air, laughing on the board, cheering on my friends and making new memories.

With that, I'll relive one more old memory with you...

Last year on the board with Rob and Uncle Tony

A Summer of Trapeze Firsts

Another flashback post to summer and flying trapeze. I would love to post about my current trapeze situation, however, it's nonexistent at the moment. Side note, if any of my Orlando friends have a large piece of property, get at me, because I have a proposition for you.

This summer I grew exponentially as a flyer and an instructor. I had hoped the intensive nature of the job would result in huge gains, which would hopefully make up for the lack of flying I had experienced in the few months leading up to it. 

Truth be told, I spent a great deal of the summer frustrated and disappointed in my progression. I swear it took about five weeks for me to feel like I was flying at the level I had left off a few months prior. And it wasn't until the last two or three weeks before tear down that I actually felt good about how far I had come. (We are our own worst critics). 

That being said, some pretty cool things happened this summer flying- and otherwise. This post will focus on flying and I hope to recap the other fun stuff in another post.

Mojo and I were lucky enough to go straight to Cotton Candy Club as our first order of business in California. Felt really great to be back in the air and so happy that our first flight of the trip was at that gorgeous pink rig! Thank you again Nicolina!! <3

By far one of the coolest and most memorable experiences of the summer (and a top 5 life experience) was flying under the full moon. It was my first real night fly and it was so surreal catching in the dark underneath that big bright pie in the sky. That night I posted the photo below on instagram with the caption:

When you wake up to a phone call in the middle of the night that says, "it's a full moon and we're going to fly," you wipe the sleep from your eyes, throw on your tights and race over to the rig because something magical is happening.

Another really special experience was having my husband Alex finally agree to take a swing. He did great for his first time and he even managed a fly away! It was really cool to send him off the board and welcome him into my circus world! :D

As for my own flying, I worked on my cutaway quite a bit this summer. I caught it for the first time with Efe back in June. There's a video on my instagram from one of those first few catches. We played around with some return variations, including this splits version with Rob. We never had the chance to clean it up, so here's a silly version that still makes me laugh looking back at it. 

It was pretty exciting to finally meet up with my trapeze evil twin CC! It was so much fun chatting and flying and my goodness, the time went by too quickly! She brought me to Richie Gaona's Trapeze Workshop and it was just as wonderful as I had imagined.

Christie is a beautiful flyer and person! It was so nice sharing the board with her, she calmed me down and made sure I was okay (I was so nervous leaning out to the bar. It was a faaaaaar reach for a shrimpo like myself). At the rig, I mainly worked on my layout and then started throwing doubles for fun. It was my first time working on a double back tuck and I fell in love immediately. It felt like I was rotating for an eternity. Here's my layout catch with Terry:

Efe and I had talked about uprises being a good trick for me and my interest in doing a forward over. A few weeks before the summer ended we finally got around to working on them. Within a few days of learning an uprise, I was throwing catchable forward overs (in lines of course). After struggling my way through my swing, layout and cutaway for so long, my mind was completely blown at how easy the uprise forward over felt. I can't wait until it's passing leap ready (hehe one day)!

In addition to flying, I learned so much about rigging and teaching trapeze. I can now tie a clove hitch and a double figure eight in two different ways each. I can also switch out the fly bar without shaking and sweating profusely, terrified that I'm going to drop a cable. I even hung from the catch crane and rigged up the catch trap!

I came to Pali only knowing how to run board, but I left able to pull and call for tricks as advanced hocks salto. I really enjoyed pulling lines and I think it made me a better coach and flyer. 

In addition to trapeze, I also worked on other circus-related activities. While, it was not my first experience with acro yoga, I'm including this as a first because Rob and I put together pretty chill flow and also because I finally nailed this pose:

Lastly, as the summer came to a close, I put together my first doubles act with my aerial soul sister, Adi. We are still awaiting footage, but hopefully it turns out as rad as the raw footage looked. PS we scored these sweet leo/dresses for $10 at a sample sale.

I feel like there was so much more that happened this summer. And I'm sure I'll remember stuff after I post this. I have hours of trapeze footage on my iPad that I still need to go through. And there are so many other things that happened that I don't have photo/video of, like Mojo taking his layout on his own timing...multiple times... that's his trick now. :) Heck yeah!

Follow the White Rabbit

I took this photo exactly one year ago today.

I was sitting on the beach with my trapeze partner in crime and best friend, Alex, watching the moon set as the sun rose. It was beautiful and oddly poetic, a symbol of all the changes that were on the horizon. We camped at the beach the night before to celebrate our final days together before he and a group of friends ventured off to California. My trapeze home had closed up to relocate for the summer and with it was going the people I had come to consider my close friends and my family. It was a sad time for me and I struggled for months, coping with the loss of the place that brought me so much joy. Thirty feet up in the air was my therapy and sharing our joint successes (and set backs) as a group gave me such a sense of comraderie and kinship, it was pretty tough losing it all at the same time.

So as we quietly watched the night transition to the day (and snacked on white fudge Flipz) my thoughts wandered around my life and career, feeling like I was trapped as an observer, unable to control where they were going. I had no idea how I was going to break free and make the changes I needed in order to be happy. I watched so many of my friends chase their dreams and crush their goals. And while it was so inspiring, it was also incredibly difficult not to compare my life to everyone else's. I decided at that point that I needed to stop being paralyzed by the comparison game and start acting on creating the life I wanted for myself.

I was halfway done with my yoga teacher training and I knew that I wanted to teach yoga to some capacity in the future. I was already teaching flying trapeze and needed it in my life even though my rig was closed. Yoga and trapeze changed me in the best way possible and it was time that I figured out how to continue sharing my passions with others. It was a scary thought, it can be notoriously difficult to make either a lucrative career and both come with the possibility of burn out and exhaustion, but if I never tried, I'd always wonder what if. 

So it's now one year later since that night on the beach and my life has significantly changed. Since then, I graduated teacher training and I've been leading a group of friends through their yoga practice every other Sunday. It turns out that teaching yoga energizes and inspires me in a way that I never even knew was possible. Also, since last summer, I've managed to continue flying and teaching trapeze as well. 

And now as the moon sets and the sun rises once again, I am in a much different place than I was that night on the beach. 

This time as the trapeze rig makes its way back out west, with it not only goes my trapeze family, but also myself.

I'm following the white rabbit straight to California, where I will spend a summer teaching flying trapeze. Leaving my full time job is a risky (and terrifying) move, but I have an amazingly supportive husband and together we'll make it work. It feels incredible to be going after my dreams and I'm very lucky to have Alex supporting me 100%. It's uncertain what will happen beyond the summer, but we're embracing it with open arms and an open heart. 

The moon is setting on my old life and the sun is rising on the new...I'm nervous, I'm excited and above all, I'm ready.

How Are Your Hands? Part 2

"When you give a message, it is also a back scratch." (Kyla's 10 Ways to Spot a Female Flying Trapeze Addict). That is an extremely accurate assessment of a trapeze flyer's hands. Any mate of a bar-based apparatus student/teacher/performer can vouch for the legitimacy of this statement.

In my previous post about trapeze hands, How Are Your Hands? Part 1, I mentioned how we proudly wear our craft on the surface of our palms. In this installment, Trapeze Hands, Numero Dos, let's talk about hand care.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, so keep in mind I am just sharing what works for me. Please see your doctor if you have any questions about treatment and before caring for any open wounds.

Overgripping. Hot, humidity. Flying until my hands are screaming. I've ripped more times than I care to remember.

I am trying to be more conscious about my saving my hands, so I'm making hand care and hand mindfulness a priority going forward.

That being said, I've gotten my post-flying hand care routine down. I keep a pair of nail clippers in my grip bag. In the event that I rip, I try to trim off the excess skin as soon as possible. If I blister, I try to leave it alone and let it heal itself under its natural, protective layer. Which for me is a huge exercise in self control, because my instinct is to fidget with it until I can no longer take it and then clip it off.

Other supplies I also keep in my bag (pictured below) include unscented baby wipes and Joshua Tree Climbing Salve.

Baby wipes are awesome to remove the chalk from my hands, wrists (elbow, face...how the heck did I get chalk in the middle of my back?...) I prefer the unscented kind because they are more gentle on the skin.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I will fly until my hands are burning hot and yelling at me to stop. Regardless of whether I rip or not, I always try to soothe my hands after a good fly session. I had some cuticle cream lying around and decided to try it on my hands after flying one day. I noticed it helped calm my hands and moisturize my sensitive, roughed up skin post-fly. It was particularly useful when I would crack, softening up the skin and taking away the stinging pain.

A few months ago, Jen, my fellow lady flyer from across the pond, recommended Joshua Tree Gymnasts Salve. She said it saved her hands during a week-long trapeze vacation to the Dominican Republic. By the way, pop on over to her blog and read about her trip and her experience at Kaiceitos Circus, it sounds like a trapeze dream come true.

When she mentioned it, I remembered seeing some sort of Joshua Tree hand cream at the climbing store the week or two prior. I went there to check out the carabiners and ended up sampling the JT climbing salve labeled "try me." Coincidence? After checking out the JT website, I noticed that the ingredients in both the gymnastics and climbing salves appeared to be the same. So I decided I'd pick up some of their climbing balm next time I was out that way. (And by next time I was out that way, I mean, the next day I made a trip out to Travel Country specifically to grab some haha!)

Joshua Tree boasts that its organic, unscented products moisturize and promote healing of skin without softening the calluses. The balm does have a distinct scent to it, probably a result of all the natural herbs and essential oils. To me, it smells like tea tree, which is one of ingredients. I used the product after I ripped BAD and I noticed that it appeared to heal my hands faster than any of the other moisturizing treatments I've used.

Recently I have been practicing lyra quite a bit. This gorgeous gal was gifted to me by a good friend...she's 7/8" hollow steel tube...sighhhh...so dreamy...

As a result, my calluses have built back up nice and solid, but my roughed up hands wind up feeling pretty dry. I notice a huge different in how my hands feel after I apply a light layer of JT across my calluses. It is a bit oily at first, but then it soaks into the skin, leaving the hands soft to the touch. I wish I could place my palm on the computer screen for you to touch and feel how supple, yet strong my calluses feel haha. I have been applying JT after I fly as well and IT IS AWESOME. It's definitely worth checking out if you are looking for something designed for people who use their hands like we do. While I'm sure my husband loves the back-massage-slash-back-scratch combo, it's nice to be able to tone down the intensity of my "construction worker" hands (as they've often been referred to). I try to apply one coat in the morning and reapply as needed throughout the day. The full usage instructions are available on the JT website. I saw Joshua Tree products in climbing stores in Salt Lake City as well, so it appears to be widely available.

I know this sounds like a sales pitch, but I assure you, I have not been paid for this review, I just cannot say enough great things about this product. Thank you again, Jen, for the recommendation!!! Unwilling to commit to a product I was unsure about, I just grabbed a sample size. I will definitely pick up the large tub next time!

Side note, if you're looking to buy any steel props/apparatuses, I know a guy and would be happy to put you in touch with him...and yes, this one is a sales pitch. ;)

Leave me a comment and tell me about your post-flying hand care ritual. Happy Flying!

How Are Your Hands? Part 1

"How are your hands?"

I can't even count on both hands how many times I've heard that phrase around the rig. Also common is hearing the follow up phrase, "Let me see." (translation: how much more flying can you do before we have to call it quits for the day?)

The trapeze flyer's hands tell a story. Take one look at a trapezist's hands and you'll see their journey marked across the palm in a bumpy and crooked path, dotted with extreme highs and lows. Their hands are a visual representation of all the hard work and literal blood and sweat that was shed along the way. They are a symbol of pride and every callus and blister is worn as a badge of honor.

While roughed up, callused hands are much desired, they do take some time and consistent flying to build up. And at some point every flyer will experience the dreaded rip. And flyer be warned, washing your brand new oozing tear will be painful enough to make you want to cry and never wash your hands again...just kidding. But they will be uncomfortable and possibly cause some unwanted down time. Flyers work their hands pretty hard on the trapeze (and on other bar-based apparatuses).

We rely on our hands, yet we sometimes don't treat them so well.

As flyers we should probably strive to avoid rips altogether, yet sometimes we just push ourselves beyond what our hands can handle and the result is less than ideal. My hands usually warn me when to start easing off during practice and I know well enough to listen to them, but being so eager to fly, half the time I end up throwing caution to the wind, pushing my hands well past their limits. And in true-to-me form, I don't stop flying until my hands literally cannot take it anymore.

Don't be like me, listen to your body.

Grips are great ways to prevent rips. There are a variety of leather grips that are commonly used. Until recently, I was flying on palm guards-style grips that I picked up at Trapeze Texas (formally Trapeze Austin). However, earlier this year I ditched the grips in favor of flying bare-handed because I was flying primarily on gauze-taped bars and I loved how it felt in my hands. After some time off from flying, the calluses I had built up softened and peeled off, which made flying difficult for me. My hands were getting red hot so fast! I wanted to swing and swing and swing, but my hands were screaming NO and NO and HELL NO. So I found myself fastening some tape grips on the fly (hehe trapeze pun) to help prevent (prolong) blistering and ripping. These are the types of grip I typically make:

Recently, I made the transition into wearing dowel gymnastics grips. Prior to purchasing my grips, I spent some time researching and discussing the different styles of dowels before selecting a pair that would meet my needs. I've heard many mixed feelings about the usage of dowels and the proper type necessary for flying trapeze. I've heeded the warnings about the dangers and listened to the suggested benefits of using them. Ultimately, I went with a pair that felt right for me and so far I'm pretty happy with them. I've only used them during one training session, but they did save my hands and I was able to fly for about four hours with only minimal discomfort. I did end up ripping on my very last swing though. I'm looking forward to continuing the dowel grip flying experiment.

Hopefully, the next time someone asks me, "how are your hands," I won't reply, "they hurt, I only have a one or two more swings in me" or even worse, "they ripped."

Update on 2015 Flying Trapeze Goals

My 2015 trapeze season came to an abrupt halt a few months ago just as I was starting to gain some momentum with my flying. I made some major strides with my swing, dialing in the transition from sweep to seven, which really enabled me to effortlessly float up into position on my backend tricks. I regret not having taken any videos during that time because my current lack of flying as left me in a bit of a regression. I really wish I could check out the videos and see if I looked as good as the tricks felt. At the time I always figured I'd get some video "next time". On the few occasions I've flown since then, the tricks just haven't felt the same. While my coaches remind me that all rigs are different, it's difficult not to be hard on myself for losing my timing and struggling my way through tricks that were once second nature. 

Twice recently I fell out of a straddle whip...A STRADDLE WHIP. (For my non-flying friends, this is one of the first tricks a student learns, albeit my version is on the backend of the swing, which is a bit more advanced.) Most recently I fell out of the straddle while my catcher was hanging for my trick as we were both approaching the peak for the catch. It looked like this, but was on the front end of the swing so we were both approaching each other (going into position on this end of the swing in the photo is called the back end).

So, I was falling out of my straddle at the front right by my catcher and at the time, I contemplated just chucking myself at him like a shooting star but then wisely decided against it...that one had "here kitty kitty" written all over it. "Here kitty kitty" is a shooting star that goes long (aka lands further forward than it should...usually on the catcher...in this position...you get the point). JUST KIDDING I would have never made such a reckless decision (nor would laws of physics work in such a way because I was falling down, not launching up like in a shooting star) but it was funny to think about.

So yeah, my flying goals...let's see if I'm any closer to that layout full and returning like a damn rockstar...

GOAL #1 - Swinging and Returning

To recap the return, my focus is on: the timing in-hands, staying tight at the turn without twisting at the waist and remounting the board gracefully. -- Welp...this is definitely still a work in-progress. I spent the past weekend training in Salt Lake City, where my bff has set up camp for the next month at Utah Flying Trapeze. UFT just opened up their new indoor rig inside of the Olympic Oval, a swanky Olympic training center. This panoramic shot doesn't do it justice, this place is HUGE and NICE.

I threw splits across during staff fly and scored bragging rights of first round trip on the new rig. Even though I was nervous flying on an unfamiliar rig, I tried to remain calm and just allow my body to do what it's done many times before. I reminded myself to stay tight in my seven and not run away from my catcher too early. I could hear my fly girl CC reminding me to allow my catcher to launch me up sky-high before turning. That first catch and return felt INCREDIBLE and Rob and I agreed that trip across and back was our cleanest one to-date. It was unfortunate we did not get it on video. Here is our final catch of the weekend instead:

My swing has regressed a bit...hello dropped toes, late hollow and piked seven...so we spent a good portion of the weekend drilling my swing over...and over...and over...and over... The result was a pretty decent, powerful (for me) swing. I also used this opportunity to break-in my new dowel grips. I was reluctant at first, but I think I'll really like them once I get 100% comfortable wearing them. Here's my best swing of the weekend:

This video brings me to...

Goal #2 - Layout Done and Done

I really struggled with the layout in the past. It wasn't until I improved the technique on my swing that I really could get my head around the mechanics of the layout. I still have a long way to go, but on 4.11.15, I took this trick out of safety lines for the first time. It was scary and far from catchable, but it was a huge step in the right direction. This past weekend, I put back on the lines to work on my break and drive without the added pressure of flying OOL. Then I took the trick back out of safety lines again feeling more comfortable and confident. My goal for the year is to have this trick out of lines and on my own timing by the end of spring. I may miss this deadline, however, no doubt it will be achieved here this year. I will continue working on my set position, breaking deeeeeep and looooooong, driving with my hips forward into a nice handstand position with open shoulders sending myself hiiiigghhhh above the bar.

Here's my layout catch attempt...(read: FAIL). 

I got a nice kiss from the bar on the knees there and left SLC with a parting gift in the form of a giant purple bruise...but check out those catch hands though. ;)

No news to report on GOALS #3 (Cutaway Half) & #4 (Layout Full) at this time. With over eight months left of the year, I am remaining hopeful they are still within reach...so, with that, the journey continues...

Read Run Write with Kahrenheit 4.01

My dear sister featured me on her blog today. If you'd like to read more about yoga, flying trapeze and my vegetarian diet, please hop on over to Read Run Write with Kahrenheit. Once you're there, stick around and read her musings on food, travel, running and life. She's lived a fascinating existence so far, having spent 5 years in Japan and most recently traveling the world as a flight attendant. Follow her as she explores Orlando's food culture and hits the bricks along the way, running shoes strapped tightly to her feet, of course! Also, be sure to check out her flying trapeze adventures! Come Fly with Me and First Flight of 2014.

My Flying Trapeze Story - My 2nd Flyer-versary

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?

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...

2015 Flying Trapeze (Goals) Wishlist

Well guys, 2015 is rapidly approaching and while I'm not really one to make new years resolutions, I am someone who makes lists and who really enjoys planning ahead. My fly gals from across the states and across the pond have inspired me to put together my flying trapeze goals for 2015. Truth be told, as someone who does not like admitting defeat, it does make me nervous to post my goals for everyone to see (what happens if I just can't get that damn layout out of lines and on my own timing?!) But being a part of such an amazing, supportive community, I know that we will cheer each other on when we're getting frustrated and push each other to keep trying when we feel like giving up. We'll virtual hug and high five and celebrate our victories together and inspire each other to keep flying high and reaching for the (shooting) stars.

Disclaimer: all new skills/tricks will be under the guidance and advisement of my coaches. Anything on this list may change as we check-in with my flying throughout the year. I will continue working my skills and tricks just as I always have, really focusing on the mechanics and building a strong foundation. I will work tirelessly until I'm told I'm ready to move on to something else. That being said, this is my wishlist for 2015.

Goal #1 - Swinging and Returning

As I mentioned in my 2014 goals, I will continue working on my swing and returns in 2015 (and beyond).

To recap the return, I will continue working on: the timing in-hands, staying tight at the turn without twisting at the waist and remounting the board gracefully.

To recap the swing, I will continue working on: timing of the kicks, forcing out faster and sweeping longer, straight legs that are zipped up from toes to torso, feet that are pointed all the way through the toes. I will SQUEEZE EVERYTHING TIGHT.

Goal #2 - Layout Done and Done

The layout is a foundational skill, so I really need for it to become second nature. As I mentioned before, this trick and I are currently not friends, but I hope that we will become new besties for 2015. It's been a while since I've thrown a layout so without putting too much pressure on myself, I really would like to have this skill locked in 100% during the first half of the year. I want to have it out of lines and also have the trick on my own timing before the end of spring.

Goal #3 - Cutaway/Cutaway Half Done and Done

I'll continue working on the cutaway in tandem with the layout. Right now the focus is working on the cutaway and I really want to catch it by the end of 2014. (progress is slow but positive thinking you guys!) I've been having what we'll call a bit of a mental block with the release on this trick, but I feel like we made some real progress this past weekend and I'm excited to get back to the rig to work on it more this weekend. I'll continue working the cutaway until my coach, Efe, lets me know that I'm ready to add in the half twist and turn the cutaway into a cutaway half. Efe, if you're reading this, I hope to make you proud and turn that "yesss...yes....nooo...NO!!!" to straight up "YES!!!" from here on out. Even though things are a bit hairy at the moment, I'm really excited to work on this particular trick, because I would like the cutaway half to become one of my go-to tricks. (You guys should see how hot the tops of my feet look right now covered in bumps and bruises from the bar...I guess my foot modeling career is now as dead as my hand modeling career.) I would like to catch my cutaway half by the summer. And if everything goes smoothly, I would like to have it OOL and on my own timing by the end of the year. I know this may be a bit of a stretch, however, I hope to include some intensive training during the course of 2015.

Here's a really awesome example of a cutaway half (I am majorly swooning over his flying, check out his height over the platform and how beautiful and effortless he makes it look):

Goal #4 - Layout Full Twist
Let me just start by saying, this trick is not within my reach at the moment (or even close to being within my reach), but since this is my wishlist and I hope to eventually be able to do a layout full, here it is on the list. If you're unfamiliar with this particular trick it's just as it sounds, a layout with a full twist. Check out this really cool slow motion video of a full to catch by Gorilla Circus. (Seriously guys, go watch that video) I think I've watched that video about about 50 times by now, I'm just mesmerized by it. I couldn't figure out how to embed the video so here's a screen grab I took from it:

I know that once I get the layout dialed-in I will love throwing that trick. I really hope I enjoy twisting as well because I would love for the full to be another one of my go-to tricks. It would be nice to say that I would like to catch this skill in 2015, but I will just be happy if I start working it to the net in lines. Anything beyond that will be a sweet added bonus.

I've never been much of a trick collector. I would rather have a few really solid tricks, rather than a bunch of partially-mastered ones. So even though I only have the few items above on my list for 2015, it's still a pretty tough list of demands.

So there you have it, my 2015 wishlist. Now, let's go crush some goals!