Hopefully Wilhelmina's email doesn't turn anyone off.
Most of the injuries I've seen (including my own) are due to repeated wear
and tear. Yes I end up with bruises, ripped callouses, and general
exhaustion -- but I'm working toward flying without safety lines -- I take
class twice (sometimes thrice) a week, go to yoga twice a week, and run
every single day. I expect pain because I'm training hard.
As for anyone new to flying trapeze, will you be sore the next day? Most
likely -- but that happens whenever you start a new activity/sport because
you're using muscles you probably didn't know you had (can you say
lats<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latissimus_dorsi_muscle>?).
Will you end up with a serious injury after your first class -- most
likely not. The activities are designed for a beginner and the staff won't
push you beyond your limits, as long as you listen to what they tell you.
So if you're interested, please sign
up<http://wiki.code4lib.org/index.php/2013_social_activities#Flying_Trapeze>!
It'll definitely get your adrenaline pumping.
Rosalyn
On Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 3:58 PM, Wilhelmina Randtke <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
> Speaking from experience, everything, everything in circus hurts. When I
> was doing it, and I did whimpy things, I remember wearing a tank top once,
> and others around me being horrified by the size and quantity of bruises on
> my torso. I have seen more skinned necks and knee pits than I can count
> from Chinese pole and trapeze. Blood stains on circus rigging are normal.
>
> Here are some less painful circus acts:
>
> Cloud swing has some cool looking tricks that do not hurt so much. This
> is where a thick rope hangs from the cieling in a wide U shape, and you sit
> on it like you would a swing set, and get it swinging like a swing set.
> Then you can lie down on it, stand on it, wrap your feet around it and hang
> upside down, etc. If anyone offers lessons in this, then this is the best
> air act for you to try.
>
> Happily, falling into a net does not hurt. What hurts in air acts is
> being stretched when you hang, and skinning or bruising body parts on
> rigging.
>
> The least painful circus act, to my knowledge, is bicycle tricks like 5
> people on a bike at the same time. As long as you do things where you
> climb on and off the moving bike in sync with someone else to balance the
> weight, and do not climb onto the shoulders of the bike rider, or anyone
> else, this is painless and feels safe. Some things that look hard, like
> wrapping a leg around the bike rider, grabbing you knee with your elbow,
> and straightening your other arm and leg so that you stick out and are worn
> like a belt, are much easier than they look. Bicycle tricks are also more
> about timing than strength, although you can do more if you have a strong
> core and are flexible. Sadly, more impressive bike tricks also hurt more,
> and you have to practice with a partner who will balance your weight as you
> move around the bike. You also need someone to ride the bike around while
> you do tricks, and the experience will be intensely painful for that
> person.
>
> Contact juggling can be pain free. The kind where you roll a ball around on
> your hands, and devil sticks are painless learn and do. Poi is possible,
> even with no eyesight, but learning poi involves repeatedly hitting
> yourself. It is probably more painful for men to learn than women (men
> should wear a cup while learning). Ball juggling is more about timing, and
> all the catches are close to you. Ball juggling is not painful, as long as
> you juggle light weight things.
>
> Hand balancing can be painless, and generally you are low to the ground.
> You have to be althetic to have any height to fall from. Sadly, the tricks
> that look really good are harder tricks that require more strength and
> flexibility.
>
> -Wilhelmina Randtke
>
> On Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 1:22 PM, Karen Coyle <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > Rosalyn,
> >
> > Since others may be in similar circumstances, I thought I'd ask this on
> > the list:
> >
> > The idea of flying is intriguing...
> >
> >
> > however ....
> >
> >
> > due to my age (63), my eyesight (abysmal), and my intense vertigo (my
> mind
> > thinks changing an overhead light bulb is a life-threatening act), is
> there
> > something fun that can be done low to the ground and clumsily? Like maybe
> > jumping into the net from the second rung of the ladder? Because I'd love
> > to try something like that.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > kc
> >
> > --
> > Karen Coyle
> > [log in to unmask] http://kcoyle.net
> > ph: 1-510-540-7596
> > m: 1-510-435-8234
> > skype: kcoylenet
> >
>
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