Shattered Circus Dreams

Monday, January 16, 2012
Do you all remember when my husband gave me a certificate for trapeze lessons for my birthday? Well six months later, I finally got up the courage to do it. I was scared out of my mind.


Once we arrived at Trapeze U, they got my belt on and gave me a quick rundown of what I was expected to do. Hook my knees over the bar and let go? I was the monkey bar queen in elementary school. I had this.


I got to the top and stood on what seemed like the world's tiniest platform where they clipped me in and gave me another quick rundown of what to do. (Look how high I am!).


Ready, set, go! (or "hep" as they say in trapeze speak). The following picture is terrible but I think the hilarious expression on my face says it all. Black Swan I am not.


I tried with every ounce of strength I could muster but I couldn't get my legs up and get my knees hooked over the bar. After hoofin' it up that ladder three more times and still not getting it, I was feeling super spent and super defeated.

My dear friends Laura and Jill were planning to show up and give me support (you gals rule!) but I quickly texted them both and told them to stay home. There is absolutely no way I'd want anyone to witness my lack of trapeze talent. I mean seriously - look at what a mess I was.


At this point, I was ready to quit and quietly watch the other flyers.


Coach Dylan wasn't having that. He gave me a much needed pep talk and pointed out that I was making a simple mistake. I was trying to lift my legs at the wrong moment and the momentum wasn't working to my advantage. 


So...I decided to give it one last shot.


And I did it!


Taking Dylan's advice made the knee hook (or whatever the heck it's called) so much easier. There was a small crowd at the class and I could literally hear the ladies on the side breathe an audible sigh of relief followed by cheers when I got my knees hooked. I was pretty pathetic and I'm sure they felt sorry for me. 

I did it a couple more times and each time I was able to get my knees up. I can't say that I did it with any style or grace but I was just stoked to finally be doing it! Towards the end of the class, they thought that I would be able to attempt another trick. (A little ambitious of them, maybe?). They explained that I would be doing the whole knee hook thing again but when I let go with my hands, I'd swing over to the other instructor and he would catch me. Seriously!?! If I can barely hook my knees how on earth am I going to pull this off?

So I climbed up to the top of the world's teeniest platform for the 10th time (I was wiped) and went for it.







I DID IT!!! I seriously did it.  Such an incredible, amazing feeling. I had to sit down and take it all in. 


While I'm pretty sure I'm not going to run off with the circus anytime soon, I would take more classes through Trapeze U in a heartbeat and am looking forward to signing up again soon. Dylan and the rest of the staff were amazing - they could clearly sense my fear and self defeatist attitude and gave me the encouragement and tools I needed to accomplish something I never thought I'd be able to do. 

888.872.7101
 

15 comments:

Kara said...

So awesome! Great job! The pictures capture it perfectly.

Anonymous said...

You are so awesome Grace!!!!!! What an incredible experience!! Great post and I love these pics of you! I'm so proud of you!!!!!! You are amazing.

Unknown said...

Isn't it such a fun experience? We went to Club Med in Ixtapa Mexico last year on a family vacation and they offer trapeze lessons for the whole family. My 12 year old son ended up being in the show one night and it was super fun watching him. It's an experience you will never forget.

Rachel
http://www.holy-craft.blogspot.com

Laura said...

Oh.my.goodness!!! You seriously ROCK MY WORLD!! You are amazing and that looks like SO much fun!! I wish I were there to see it all!! Love you, sweet friend!!!
xoxo

Grace said...

Thanks so much girls! You are right Rachel, I'll never forget that experience! It was incredible. Glad that you and your family had a chance to enjoy it too.

Celia said...

How sore were you the next day? :-)))

Grace said...

Celia, I'm on day 2 now and am still SO sore! Talk about a work out! :)

Emily S. said...

Seriously COOL! And hey-- perfect timing for that last trick-- the sunset silhouette was perfect!

Grace said...

Thanks, Emily! We totally lucked out with the lighting and timing of the pictures. I look back on those silhouette shots and still get chills.

Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke said...

How fun is that!?!

Jennifer said...

This is the coolest thing I have ever seen! Kudos to you!!!

- jen

Grace said...

Thanks, ladies! It was definitely an experience I'll never forget. Such a blast!

Anonymous said...

I don't know how I missed this post (actually I do, MIL has been here lol) but this looks outrageously fun and I LOVE how it was documented! Bravo!! That has got to be soooo exciting :)

Melody said...

My friend Emily posted a link to you awesome valentine's banner so I stopped by for a second and I just have to tell you that I think you are so cool. I am seriously impressed by your courage doing a trapeze class. Awesome and inspiring. :)

Grace said...

Wow, thanks so much, Melody! I appreciate you stopping by and leaving your kind words. :)

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