Four Years in the Making (2/9/26)

Almost, four and a half, actually. I started my aerial journey shortly after I turned 50, and I've loved it. In my mind, there's no better fun, full-body workout. It's increased my confidence in every aspect of my life.

I've played lyra (aerial hoop), dance trapeze, sling, and silks. I enjoy lyra, because of the immediate gratification I get from learning a new pose. Cool lyra poses require different grip strength, but I think I are easier to get into. I find lyra more of a mind game than a strength game.

I haven't played trapeze in a long while, because there just isn't enough interest to make a class worth it for the circus center. I completely understand, but I do love trapeze. Sling is great, and you can find a ton of videos online of people doing "aerial yoga" in a sling (hammock). But my heart has always been with silks.

Except that I'm terrible with silks. Rather, I was.

My heart has always wanted to play in the silks, but my body continued to fail me, so I'd take an intro silks class, get sad, and switch to lyra the next session. It was an unending cycle of back and forth.

One of the things holding me back with silks was my inability to climb. There are some fun things I could do from the ground, but getting up in the air opens so many more doors. I've kind of been bouncing back and forth between lyra and fabrics for a few years, but since last fall, I've been able to do session after session of fabrics, without interruption. I was also lucky enough, this session, to be able to afford to add in a second class - lyra - so I'm at the circus center twice a week.

What a difference being able to attend two classes a week has made in my strength with both apparatuses. I've been diligently working toward my Russian climb for the past few sessions, and, after four-plus years of failure and frustration, I finally got it!

First step

There's two!

Three! I'm actually off the ground!

I was beginning to think I'd never get it, but determination (and some really sticky rosin) paid off! I also was able to do it with my left side, but only two steps. I'm so incredibly happy and proud of myself for sticking with it. And I'm so thankful for an instructor who continued to work with me and encouraged me to keep at it. She never once made me feel stupid or less than for not getting this very basic skill.

I'm excited to get back to silks on Monday and give it another go, just to prove to myself that it wasn't a fluke (even though I climbed and climbed every chance I had last class).

A Heart Full of Gratitude

Last week, in my aerial class, I was the only student in class, which meant I got quality one-on-one time with the instructor, who also happens to be the owner of the circus center. Super Jes was subbing for our usual instructor, and it's always a treat when I get to spend time with her.

When I joined the now-defunct Old Lady Circus Club four years ago, I found a family and support system that I never expected. To be considered "old" enough for OLCC, one only had to be 35+, and I had just turned 50. I completely understand that 35 in the aerial world is old, but it still made me giggle.

OLCC was like playing on the playground to me, and I made some good playground friends. Super Jes, the owner of the facility, was one of them. She's an incredible, supportive human being who just makes me feel better being around her. Dutchess Lindy, who specializes in (hula) hoop flow, is another who just welcomed me with open arms.

When I started at the circus center, there was only one studio/gym, and a couple of years ago, they expanded to another studio right next door. The original studio is small, crowded, and feels like home.

Dance trapeze in OLCC

After Mom and Bill's accident almost three years ago, one of the first places I went to feel some normalcy was the circus center. I had to get back to OLCC, and my "old lady" friends. For the first time since the accident, I could breathe. Stepping into the studio was like a giant hug.

Lyra or aerial hoop

OLCC has evolved into an adult performance troupe, and I've moved into regular classes. The majority of my classes are now held in the new studio, which is very nice, but it's not home.

Silks last week, learning arabesque
into backbend

With Super Jes as my instructor last week, even in the new studio, I felt a piece of home. Who knew that joining a writer friend of mine on a whim four years ago would morph into something my soul needs? Not so much the aerial skills, which are fun and I love, but the support and love from the women who have been by my side through this journey.

There is one skill - a basic mount into any apparatus - the pullover that I've struggled with my entire circus journey. I get it, then I lose confidence, and I spend another few months relearning it, only to lose confidence ... it's become a vicious cycle. Super Jes literally held my hand through it last week. I managed successfully twice due to her support and belief that I could do it. She didn't spot me through it, she didn't physically help me through it, she simply covered my right hand with hers and that's all it took.

Last week's class, being the only student who showed up, and with Super Jes as my instructor was definitely a "my cup runneth over" class and I'm forever thankful.