This was a night starting off & ending strong, filled w/laughs & the warmth of friends...!
Lex R. made 2 returns in a row in 1 night for his 1st time ever! Colleen & Lidia from down unda are returning on a regular basis. Kristin R. could've had 3 returns in a row if she just grabbed the bars! Allegra G. caught her Half Turn OOL for her 1st time ever! Emmanuelle C. is flying tighter & straighter than ever w/her Cut Away & Layout. And, when she's patient, she easily makes her returns. Alex K. is learning how really long it takes to work her returns, but she's getting there! Galit E. is throwing some really good Layouts w/incredibly straight legs! We knew she could do it if she only concentrated. I'm not gonna let you do any less from now on, Galit!
Apparently, it was "cookie night"! We enjoyed cookies from Colleen. Thanks, Colleen!
Maggie F. is getting that tension out of her shoulders on the F/E of her swing w/some great results. Sharron C. is really warming up to the pull in her force out! Maryam W. is gradually figuring out the timing of her swing while incorporating a pull of her own. Kristy M. was throwing her Cut Away nicely before trying to recreate her Cut Away return off her B/E Splits catch. Emily S. is looking pretty regular w/her Cut Away Half & easily making returns. Max R. is turning out to be a prodigy w/flying trapeze as he pulls like the best of flyers & learns like circus sponge! And, our wayward Iris F. stopped by for a little while in hopes of flying into a class. It was great to see her again!
This past Fri, the flyer-formerly-known-as Amy W. & I played around & got a really fun round trip: B/E Splits into a Straddle Cut/Catch then an Angel return!
Over this past Sunday, Evin L. made her complete, triumphant return to flying trapeze by going for & grabbing her 1st return bar (off her B/E Splits) in much too long a wait. Congratulations, Evin! Welcome back...
Here's one of my latest (and, highest) Double Back Tucks:
And, after about 3 years of growing my black mane, I cut off 16" of my hair. I'm donating it to Lock of Love; hopefully, it will go on to make someone happy.
"Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
This night's flying showed the promise & energy that reminded me why we fly...!
The powerful Allegra G. was timing her Half Turn catch w/our Manny. It's there if she wants it! Elegant Maryam W. accomplished a nice Split w/half turn to the mat/net to develop that OOL. Bright-eyed Kristin R. learning to open her shoulders more in the F/E of her swing. Tight-bodied Thais K. was looking good w/her B/E Planche OOL as well as w/her Splits.
Emily going for her Cut Away Half catch! And, she easily made a few more Half Turn returns off her B/E Splits catch. It's not a fluke Emily! Feisty Galit E. working her Mod & returning to basics by working her Half Turns. Karen D. is gonna be ready to make some nice returns soon as she practices out of my hands off her Birdie catch. Kristy M. got her Cut Away return again! It's not a fluke, Kristy! Newly minted mommy, Emma G., is back & ready to push her training to new levels & into new areas!
Alex K. had an epiphany w/her turn around on the bar, making it easy for her. Good work, Alex. W/a little boost from our Manny, this night was the 1st time Lex R. got on the return bar all w/his own power & form! Great flying, Lex! Lidia for "down unda" practiced her violent, "full-contact" remount of the pedestal board before making an easy return during catches. Colleen also got the return bar, and, like Lex, she didn't even wait for her swing to fade before being really tough on herself!? Sharron is incorporating a rather nice pull into her swing.
And, the spot light of the night goes on Max R.! After incorporating an impressive pull into his swing, Max remounted the pedestal board for his 1st time tonight!
Max's 1st time ever remounting the pedestal board!
Max's 1st Half Turn position to the net/mat:
"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." - Anne Bradstreet
The powerful Allegra G. was timing her Half Turn catch w/our Manny. It's there if she wants it! Elegant Maryam W. accomplished a nice Split w/half turn to the mat/net to develop that OOL. Bright-eyed Kristin R. learning to open her shoulders more in the F/E of her swing. Tight-bodied Thais K. was looking good w/her B/E Planche OOL as well as w/her Splits.
Emily going for her Cut Away Half catch! And, she easily made a few more Half Turn returns off her B/E Splits catch. It's not a fluke Emily! Feisty Galit E. working her Mod & returning to basics by working her Half Turns. Karen D. is gonna be ready to make some nice returns soon as she practices out of my hands off her Birdie catch. Kristy M. got her Cut Away return again! It's not a fluke, Kristy! Newly minted mommy, Emma G., is back & ready to push her training to new levels & into new areas!
Alex K. had an epiphany w/her turn around on the bar, making it easy for her. Good work, Alex. W/a little boost from our Manny, this night was the 1st time Lex R. got on the return bar all w/his own power & form! Great flying, Lex! Lidia for "down unda" practiced her violent, "full-contact" remount of the pedestal board before making an easy return during catches. Colleen also got the return bar, and, like Lex, she didn't even wait for her swing to fade before being really tough on herself!? Sharron is incorporating a rather nice pull into her swing.
And, the spot light of the night goes on Max R.! After incorporating an impressive pull into his swing, Max remounted the pedestal board for his 1st time tonight!
Max's 1st time ever remounting the pedestal board!
Max's 1st Half Turn position to the net/mat:
"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." - Anne Bradstreet
Monday, December 3, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
Friday was a long day...!
At 6am, our Lisa R. & I arrived at a stage in Brooklyn to participate in the shooting of a Wachovia commercial. I helped w/the aerial rigging & Lisa performed on silks as well as hand balancing w/ & w/o the lithe & gracious aerialist, Aiden. Aiden also performed on a makeshift flying trapeze bar I rigged. I only wish I got more pictures (but I was working).
Aiden relaxing in costume between filming:
Lisa looking fabulous in the make-up room!
Lisa getting direction from Lenny the assistant director:
Lisa against the white backdrop:
Everyone on the crew such was very nice & professional. We had a nice time right through the afternoon.
Later that night, I found myself teaching on our little rig for a birthday party til 11pm. Newcomer Nina celebrated her birthday w/her mom & friends Sarah, Ryan, Marc, Becca, Tony & Hillary!
"What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" - George Eliot
At 6am, our Lisa R. & I arrived at a stage in Brooklyn to participate in the shooting of a Wachovia commercial. I helped w/the aerial rigging & Lisa performed on silks as well as hand balancing w/ & w/o the lithe & gracious aerialist, Aiden. Aiden also performed on a makeshift flying trapeze bar I rigged. I only wish I got more pictures (but I was working).
Aiden relaxing in costume between filming:
Lisa looking fabulous in the make-up room!
Lisa getting direction from Lenny the assistant director:
Lisa against the white backdrop:
Everyone on the crew such was very nice & professional. We had a nice time right through the afternoon.
Later that night, I found myself teaching on our little rig for a birthday party til 11pm. Newcomer Nina celebrated her birthday w/her mom & friends Sarah, Ryan, Marc, Becca, Tony & Hillary!
"What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" - George Eliot
Thursday, November 29, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
Tonight was a time where time brought some friends back, caused some to revisit tricks & others to realize new accomplishments...!
The feisty Galit E. is commanding her Mod very well. Worldly & lithe Emma S. stopped in for a short while to take a few swings. The determined Emily S. made 3 returns in a row! The uber-capable Emma G. returned to our little circle to dust off her Layout, Fwd Over, Shoot & Split. The powerful & incredibly adept Molly G. is in pursuit of her Full Twisting Layout again. The sometimes frantic-flying Fran S. is learning to smoothly remount the pedestal board.
W/her bionic shoulder, Denise M. caught her B/E Planche for her 1st time! And, for some really big news: Tanya E. made her 1st OOL catches! After working so hard & diligently on taking her B/E Splits OOL for months, her efforts paid off & she made her catches very safely & w/o question! Thank you, Tanya, for your hard work & faith in our instruction & guidance.
Tanya E.'s B/E Splits catch OOL!
"I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen." - Frank Lloyd Wright
The feisty Galit E. is commanding her Mod very well. Worldly & lithe Emma S. stopped in for a short while to take a few swings. The determined Emily S. made 3 returns in a row! The uber-capable Emma G. returned to our little circle to dust off her Layout, Fwd Over, Shoot & Split. The powerful & incredibly adept Molly G. is in pursuit of her Full Twisting Layout again. The sometimes frantic-flying Fran S. is learning to smoothly remount the pedestal board.
W/her bionic shoulder, Denise M. caught her B/E Planche for her 1st time! And, for some really big news: Tanya E. made her 1st OOL catches! After working so hard & diligently on taking her B/E Splits OOL for months, her efforts paid off & she made her catches very safely & w/o question! Thank you, Tanya, for your hard work & faith in our instruction & guidance.
Tanya E.'s B/E Splits catch OOL!
"I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen." - Frank Lloyd Wright
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
Last night started off w/some rig checks & maintenance, then some staff flying followed by some pretty good student flying...!
Some of the highlights: Lex R. remounted the pedestal board for his 1st time ever! Congratulations, Lex! Relative newcomer, Emily (last name unknown), learned & caught her F/E Splits for her 1st time all in 1 class! Alex K. is fighting the good fight w/her Turn Around. She's conquered it before, and she can do it again. Emma S. introduced a long time friend to our flying & the Knee Hang. Emma herself was looking smooth & strong w/her swing. She mentioned to me that if the swing was the only thing she had to do, she'd be happily swinging the day away.
"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." - Anaïs Nin
Some of the highlights: Lex R. remounted the pedestal board for his 1st time ever! Congratulations, Lex! Relative newcomer, Emily (last name unknown), learned & caught her F/E Splits for her 1st time all in 1 class! Alex K. is fighting the good fight w/her Turn Around. She's conquered it before, and she can do it again. Emma S. introduced a long time friend to our flying & the Knee Hang. Emma herself was looking smooth & strong w/her swing. She mentioned to me that if the swing was the only thing she had to do, she'd be happily swinging the day away.
"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." - Anaïs Nin
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
I hope everyone enjoyed a very nice & relaxing Thanksgiving. And, I'd like to wish Lisa R., Emma S. & Liz C. happy birthdays! They each celebrated recent birthdays.
Just last night, we had a cool flying & a wayward friend joined us again after some time apart. Here are some of the highlights...!
Old friend, flyer & fellow instructor, Scott S. tweaked his swing on our little rig. Then, he dusted off his Uprise Shoot & Fwd Over before making a catch w/the Fwd Over w/me!
Allegra G. warmed up her catches w/our Manny w/o the return bar at first:
Then, Allegra added the bar to the mix, but took it slowly:
Finally, Allegra made her 2nd ever full round trip!
Karen D. learned & caught her B/E Bird's Nest for her 1st time all in one class!
Here's Emmanuelle C. doing her modified Bird's Nest/Heels Off/Table Top w/a return to topped them off!
Coupled w/another of Emmanuelle's Birdie, here is a testament to Manny's prowess on the safety lines!
And, for some more big news: Kristy M.'s Cut Away Return! Here are some of her attempts & close calls!
And, here's Kristy's triumphant Cut Away Return!
Here's another, broader perspective (from our video playback system) of Kristy's return:
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." - Anatole France
Just last night, we had a cool flying & a wayward friend joined us again after some time apart. Here are some of the highlights...!
Old friend, flyer & fellow instructor, Scott S. tweaked his swing on our little rig. Then, he dusted off his Uprise Shoot & Fwd Over before making a catch w/the Fwd Over w/me!
Allegra G. warmed up her catches w/our Manny w/o the return bar at first:
Then, Allegra added the bar to the mix, but took it slowly:
Finally, Allegra made her 2nd ever full round trip!
Karen D. learned & caught her B/E Bird's Nest for her 1st time all in one class!
Here's Emmanuelle C. doing her modified Bird's Nest/Heels Off/Table Top w/a return to topped them off!
Coupled w/another of Emmanuelle's Birdie, here is a testament to Manny's prowess on the safety lines!
And, for some more big news: Kristy M.'s Cut Away Return! Here are some of her attempts & close calls!
And, here's Kristy's triumphant Cut Away Return!
Here's another, broader perspective (from our video playback system) of Kristy's return:
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." - Anatole France
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Looking back...
Some of the highlights from last Thursday, November 8th...
Molly G. did her 1st B/E Splits OOL lines! Our wayward Samantha W. joined us in the air to shake the dust off her bones. She claimed she hasn't done anything really physical in months. Then, she proceeded to fly just as strong & high as ever before.
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Molly G. did her 1st B/E Splits OOL lines! Our wayward Samantha W. joined us in the air to shake the dust off her bones. She claimed she hasn't done anything really physical in months. Then, she proceeded to fly just as strong & high as ever before.
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Tuesday, November 13, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
This Tuesday's Catch & Return class was a very productive one...!
Alex K. is getting her Turn Around slowly but surely! Max R. is working his return well off of our Manny very well considering that on at least half his catches, his toes scrape the mat! Sharron C. fought through to get into & catch her B/E Split!
Maryam W., Emmanuelle C. is still learning to tone down her power to not break her form. Thais K. is nursing a tight neck but still flying strong. Kristy M. is still in fervent pursuit of her 1st Cut Away return! Emily S. is still learning more & more patience when it comes to her returns off of catches. Tanya E. has all she needs to make a solid half turn to the net/mat; she only needs to put it all together consistently before she's able to eventually take her Splits OOL. Galit E. caught her Mod again after making her R/T w/it this past summer.
For the biggest news of the night: Allegra G. finally went for the return bar OOL & made her 1st Round Trip Out of Lines ever! She actually said that it felt so easy! Go figure, Allegra. And, Maggie F. made her 1st Round Trip ever, too! She was surprised to have Manny reach behind her & help her back to the board! Congratulations to both of you! I just wish we had video, but though these moments are forever expected, they're never scripted! Great flying!
One of my favorites:
"You must do the things you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Alex K. is getting her Turn Around slowly but surely! Max R. is working his return well off of our Manny very well considering that on at least half his catches, his toes scrape the mat! Sharron C. fought through to get into & catch her B/E Split!
Maryam W., Emmanuelle C. is still learning to tone down her power to not break her form. Thais K. is nursing a tight neck but still flying strong. Kristy M. is still in fervent pursuit of her 1st Cut Away return! Emily S. is still learning more & more patience when it comes to her returns off of catches. Tanya E. has all she needs to make a solid half turn to the net/mat; she only needs to put it all together consistently before she's able to eventually take her Splits OOL. Galit E. caught her Mod again after making her R/T w/it this past summer.
For the biggest news of the night: Allegra G. finally went for the return bar OOL & made her 1st Round Trip Out of Lines ever! She actually said that it felt so easy! Go figure, Allegra. And, Maggie F. made her 1st Round Trip ever, too! She was surprised to have Manny reach behind her & help her back to the board! Congratulations to both of you! I just wish we had video, but though these moments are forever expected, they're never scripted! Great flying!
One of my favorites:
"You must do the things you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Monday, November 5, 2007
Looking back...
Just a few days ago, Amy G/W & I were playing around & managed to catch her Layout & combine it w/a Straddle Cut/Catch complete w/a round trip back to the board!
Nice flying, Amy! That's what I have in mind for all our flyers!
Earlier in Oct, Emily S. caught the return bar for her 1st time ever!
Here's video of Emily's 1st remount to the pedestal board:
"The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle." - Anais Nin
Nice flying, Amy! That's what I have in mind for all our flyers!
Earlier in Oct, Emily S. caught the return bar for her 1st time ever!
Here's video of Emily's 1st remount to the pedestal board:
"The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle." - Anais Nin
Saturday to Sunday, October 20 to 21, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
Highlights of Streb Halloween Shows...!
A few of the usual suspects flew in this year's Streb Halloween shows. Our flying as a team got stronger & stronger w/each show. The shows ran on Saturday 7pm & midnight as well as on Sunday 7pm.
In the 1st show, Jeff S. threw his Planche & Straddle Whip; Lisa R. threw her Splits w/Straddle Cut/Catch & her Layout.
In the 2nd show, Jeff S. threw his Planche & Straddle Whip; Hal A. threw his Whip & Half Turn; and, Amy G/W threw her Legs, Splits w/Angel return & her Straddle Whip w/Straddle Cut/Catch. The boys threw their tricks in their underwear; Amy wasn't too clothed either.
And, yes, that's our real hair...
In the 3rd show, Jeff S. threw his Planche & Straddle Whip; Amy G/W threw her Legs & Splits w/Angel return; and, Lisa R. threw her Splits w/Straddle Cut/Catch & her Layout.
Videos of the Sat, 7pm show:
Videos of the Sat, midnight show:
Videos of the Sun, 7pm show:
(more videos to be included...)
"The heights by great men reached & kept... Were not attained by sudden flight... But they, while their companions slept... Were toiling upward in the night." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A few of the usual suspects flew in this year's Streb Halloween shows. Our flying as a team got stronger & stronger w/each show. The shows ran on Saturday 7pm & midnight as well as on Sunday 7pm.
In the 1st show, Jeff S. threw his Planche & Straddle Whip; Lisa R. threw her Splits w/Straddle Cut/Catch & her Layout.
In the 2nd show, Jeff S. threw his Planche & Straddle Whip; Hal A. threw his Whip & Half Turn; and, Amy G/W threw her Legs, Splits w/Angel return & her Straddle Whip w/Straddle Cut/Catch. The boys threw their tricks in their underwear; Amy wasn't too clothed either.
And, yes, that's our real hair...
In the 3rd show, Jeff S. threw his Planche & Straddle Whip; Amy G/W threw her Legs & Splits w/Angel return; and, Lisa R. threw her Splits w/Straddle Cut/Catch & her Layout.
Videos of the Sat, 7pm show:
Videos of the Sat, midnight show:
Videos of the Sun, 7pm show:
(more videos to be included...)
"The heights by great men reached & kept... Were not attained by sudden flight... But they, while their companions slept... Were toiling upward in the night." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
Young James celebrated his birthday by taking a class & getting caught in front of his friends including Max, Gabe, Henry, Topher & Zack, among others.
During staff training, Eli worked the board very well, Lisa R. honed her lines pulling, Lizzy H. practiced her Layout Full, Amy G(W) practiced her lines & helped be a crash test dummy, Suzie W. practiced her Layout OOL, and Yoni got reacquainted w/the rig & catch trap.
In the class that followed, Billy made some nice improvements w/his swing. Naomi practiced & caught her Stag. Our hard-bodied Courtney G. learned her F/E Split & even learned how to get into her B/E Split w/a modified swing! Courtney's brother, John, made his 1st KH catch!
At the very end of the night, I got to catch our Lisa R.'s Layout (round trip, of course) & Amy G(W)'s Split. Then, both of these ladies accomplished full round trips w/B/E Splilts into Straddle Cut/Catches in my hands & back to the return bars & pedestal! Great flying, girls! Just wish we got that on video.
"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau
During staff training, Eli worked the board very well, Lisa R. honed her lines pulling, Lizzy H. practiced her Layout Full, Amy G(W) practiced her lines & helped be a crash test dummy, Suzie W. practiced her Layout OOL, and Yoni got reacquainted w/the rig & catch trap.
In the class that followed, Billy made some nice improvements w/his swing. Naomi practiced & caught her Stag. Our hard-bodied Courtney G. learned her F/E Split & even learned how to get into her B/E Split w/a modified swing! Courtney's brother, John, made his 1st KH catch!
At the very end of the night, I got to catch our Lisa R.'s Layout (round trip, of course) & Amy G(W)'s Split. Then, both of these ladies accomplished full round trips w/B/E Splilts into Straddle Cut/Catches in my hands & back to the return bars & pedestal! Great flying, girls! Just wish we got that on video.
"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau
Monday, October 15, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
Right around this date marks the 6 year anniversary of the 1st time I ever touched a flying trapeze...! I remember going to Club Med, Turks & Caicos. Someone said to me, "You know, you should try trapeze. I think you'd like it..." Six years, hundreds of students, thousands of catches, a number of tricks (including a Double...!), millions of memories, dozens of dear friends & one beautiful wife later, here I am w/you. What a hell of a trip.
The comely Kristy M. took her swing OOL for her 1st time & nailed her Cut Away return (still sans a bar for now) again! Talented & hardworking Lisa B. & feisty Galit E. were working on catching & returning OOL. W/a brief flash of patience, Emily S. made her 1st return ever! Great work, Emily! Emma S. did double duty (making up a class) to work on her Hox Saulto. Intense Jen R. easily made a round trip w/her B/E Splits as if it were so "last week". Oh-so-cute & intelligent Suzanne M. did her 1st Cut Away Halves! The very talkative-in-the-air Leslie W. was making her B/E Straddle Whip catches. The elegant Maryam W. was nice enough to stop by to drop off Galit's static bar & our fly bar. The positive Renee F. was in pursuit of recreating her B/E Planche catch OOL.
"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning." - Ivy Baker Priest
"Reality is the beginning not the end,
Naked Alpha, not the hierophant Omega,
Of dense investiture, with luminous vassals." - Wallace Stevens
The comely Kristy M. took her swing OOL for her 1st time & nailed her Cut Away return (still sans a bar for now) again! Talented & hardworking Lisa B. & feisty Galit E. were working on catching & returning OOL. W/a brief flash of patience, Emily S. made her 1st return ever! Great work, Emily! Emma S. did double duty (making up a class) to work on her Hox Saulto. Intense Jen R. easily made a round trip w/her B/E Splits as if it were so "last week". Oh-so-cute & intelligent Suzanne M. did her 1st Cut Away Halves! The very talkative-in-the-air Leslie W. was making her B/E Straddle Whip catches. The elegant Maryam W. was nice enough to stop by to drop off Galit's static bar & our fly bar. The positive Renee F. was in pursuit of recreating her B/E Planche catch OOL.
"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning." - Ivy Baker Priest
"Reality is the beginning not the end,
Naked Alpha, not the hierophant Omega,
Of dense investiture, with luminous vassals." - Wallace Stevens
Tuesday, October 9, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
This night, we honed our flying on average as a group & even had some 1st times...!
The powerful & demure Allegra G. looked excellent working returns OOL. Fresh from her CG weekend, the elegant Maryam recreating B/E Splits OOL. Former ballerina Thais K. sought to regain her B/E Splits as a "go to" position again. French Emmanelle C. was looking stronger & tighter w/her flying; she is SO primed for a leap in the progress of her flying. Cute & engaging Kristin R. was swinging OOL & working her returns very well. The comely Kristy M. accomplished her 1st Cut Away return (sans the bar for now)! Prodigious Karen catching her 1st B/E Straddle Whip! Lithe & worldly Emma S. was as close as ever to that return bar. Adorable Lauri W. making huge strides w/her swing w/the instruction of our cool Lisa R. And, w/that, Lauri also got into her B/E Straddle Whip!
Feisty Galit E. did double duty & accomplished 2 uprises in a row in 1 turn! Alex K. & Sharron C. were both working their turn arounds & are ready for new positions. Strong Lex R. was working his returns well & will soon get that bar (mark my words)! Son Max R. caught his 1st B/E Straddle Whip which looked great w/those long legs of his! And, Colleen P. (sans cohort Lidia T.) fought through frustrations to make some headway w/her flying this night.
"Beauty [of flying] is unbearable, drives us to despair, offering us for a minute the glimpse of an eternity that we should like to stretch out over the whole of time." - Albert Camus
The powerful & demure Allegra G. looked excellent working returns OOL. Fresh from her CG weekend, the elegant Maryam recreating B/E Splits OOL. Former ballerina Thais K. sought to regain her B/E Splits as a "go to" position again. French Emmanelle C. was looking stronger & tighter w/her flying; she is SO primed for a leap in the progress of her flying. Cute & engaging Kristin R. was swinging OOL & working her returns very well. The comely Kristy M. accomplished her 1st Cut Away return (sans the bar for now)! Prodigious Karen catching her 1st B/E Straddle Whip! Lithe & worldly Emma S. was as close as ever to that return bar. Adorable Lauri W. making huge strides w/her swing w/the instruction of our cool Lisa R. And, w/that, Lauri also got into her B/E Straddle Whip!
Feisty Galit E. did double duty & accomplished 2 uprises in a row in 1 turn! Alex K. & Sharron C. were both working their turn arounds & are ready for new positions. Strong Lex R. was working his returns well & will soon get that bar (mark my words)! Son Max R. caught his 1st B/E Straddle Whip which looked great w/those long legs of his! And, Colleen P. (sans cohort Lidia T.) fought through frustrations to make some headway w/her flying this night.
"Beauty [of flying] is unbearable, drives us to despair, offering us for a minute the glimpse of an eternity that we should like to stretch out over the whole of time." - Albert Camus
Monday, October 8, 2007
Friday to Sunday, October 5 to 7, 2007, Kent, CT
So much happened this October Getaway weekend...! Friends were abounding & abundant. The flying was new again & for the 1st times. With friends & flying like ours, if the sun never set or the nights never ended, our wonderful days together would still not be long enough. With times like this, my body & my life are wonderfully spent.
After getting the weekend off to a quick start w/our flying & catching, some of the staff put on a show for all the CG guests on Fri night w/the awesomely cool Scott S. as the MC!
The flyer-formerly-known-as Amy W. threw her Straddle Whip & Splits/Angel, ending w/her Layout dismount. Kiwi Rob T. threw his Planche & Layout, ending w/his Double Back dismount. Our fearless leader, Jeff L., threw his Flexus/Flexus, Shoot & Over-the-Bar Half Turn, ending w/his Seat Roll dismount. (And, no, Jeff, this is far from your last performance on the flying trapeze.) The pure & never-sleeping Hal A. Whip & Half Turn, ending w/his Reverse Suicide dismount.
The Oct Getaway Performance Fly Team!
(additional show videos being uploaded...)
There was lots of partying. Sleep, not so much.
My girls doing some synchronized water tubing:
The eternally young-looking Skye F. did her 1st catch (B/E Splits) OOL! Her hands were a little squirrelly at 1st, but she flew beautifully to the net & during catches. New to our circle of flying friends, fun-loving Dawn S. fit in quickly & very well w/our crowd. She threw some beautiful Set Straddle Whips, dabbled in her 1st Pull Over Shoot & even got to take a bullet drop across the net OOL! The earnest Brian H. made his 1st catch (B/E Planche) OOL! He was even working towards working the returns OOL more smoothly. After we figured out her timing, the young, beautiful, extremely talented & mature Leah B. made some nice B/E Splits catches OOL. Ebony-locked Alison C.'s swing was looking stronger than ever, and she was easily getting into her B/E Whips for her 1st times! She did it so smoothly that I thought she's been doing that forever already. Good work, Alison!
The intense & determined Tanya E. was in pursuit of taking her B/E Splits across out of lines ("OOL"). She was making her catches easily enough & learning even more so to loft up her returns. One of the most precious moments of the whole weekend was when the oh-so-cute Julie B. took her 1st swing OOL! When she dropped to the net, Julie laughed so purely & heartily that the sound of it tickled me so much. She reminded me that those are the moments we do all this for. World-traveling, talented Jen B-B. did her 1st real turn around w/a swing & then her 1st Cut Away w/a swing. She worked it so well & virtually perfectly her very 1st time. Tall, strong, handsome Greg M. made his 1st catches (B/E Straddle Whip) OOL!
Heather W. was once again amazing & impressing all of us w/her beautiful form & cool tricks. The awesome & single Jason F. made his 1st Hox Off catch ever OOL & followed it up soon after w/his 1st return OOL! He was hilarious & so animated during the nights of dancing.
The wonderful Marisa B. looked at home on the CG rig as she flew OOL & played w/the plethora of her tricks. Feisty Galit E. discovered her very effective flying mantra to help her release off of her B/E catches! Fun-loving & tatooed Scott S. was working up towards taking his Uprise Shoot OOL again. He made some easy catches & even got back to the return bar rather well, too! The elegant Maryam W. took her 1st B/E tricks to the net ever (B/E Splits) OOL! She made it to her back well in the net. Maryam dressed up as the cutest elf ever for the Sat night costume party.
As always, it was so good to have the lithe & worldly Emma S. w/us. Her rendition of a drunken stumble had me asking if she was really drunk (which she wasn't)! The positive Renee F. made her 1st ever B/E catch OOL! She worked so hard, positively & diligently to take her B/E Splits across, but after some prodding & convincing, she did it w/her B/E Planche. Congratulations, Renee! Talented & hardworking Lisa B. made her 1st return ever OOL! She was catching her B/E Splits so easily & consistently that she worked up to smoothing out her returns. Soon enough, she made a great catch, turned off the catcher & grabbed that return bar! Awesome, Lisa!
Hailing from Brooklyn, the adorable Lana did her 1st F/E Split & caught it, too!
"Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly,
kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably,
and never regret anything that made you smile." - Author Unknown
I felt this was an interesting quote, plus it included the word, "getaway". I've paraphrased it for our purposes:
"We only regard those... as real examples of love [as for flying]... in which a fixed & unalterable decision has been taken [such as jumping off the board]. If men or women contemplate an escape, they do not collect all their powers for the task [of flying]. In none of the serious & important tasks of life do we arrange such a 'getaway.' We cannot love & be limited." - Alfred Adler
After getting the weekend off to a quick start w/our flying & catching, some of the staff put on a show for all the CG guests on Fri night w/the awesomely cool Scott S. as the MC!
The flyer-formerly-known-as Amy W. threw her Straddle Whip & Splits/Angel, ending w/her Layout dismount. Kiwi Rob T. threw his Planche & Layout, ending w/his Double Back dismount. Our fearless leader, Jeff L., threw his Flexus/Flexus, Shoot & Over-the-Bar Half Turn, ending w/his Seat Roll dismount. (And, no, Jeff, this is far from your last performance on the flying trapeze.) The pure & never-sleeping Hal A. Whip & Half Turn, ending w/his Reverse Suicide dismount.
The Oct Getaway Performance Fly Team!
(additional show videos being uploaded...)
There was lots of partying. Sleep, not so much.
My girls doing some synchronized water tubing:
The eternally young-looking Skye F. did her 1st catch (B/E Splits) OOL! Her hands were a little squirrelly at 1st, but she flew beautifully to the net & during catches. New to our circle of flying friends, fun-loving Dawn S. fit in quickly & very well w/our crowd. She threw some beautiful Set Straddle Whips, dabbled in her 1st Pull Over Shoot & even got to take a bullet drop across the net OOL! The earnest Brian H. made his 1st catch (B/E Planche) OOL! He was even working towards working the returns OOL more smoothly. After we figured out her timing, the young, beautiful, extremely talented & mature Leah B. made some nice B/E Splits catches OOL. Ebony-locked Alison C.'s swing was looking stronger than ever, and she was easily getting into her B/E Whips for her 1st times! She did it so smoothly that I thought she's been doing that forever already. Good work, Alison!
The intense & determined Tanya E. was in pursuit of taking her B/E Splits across out of lines ("OOL"). She was making her catches easily enough & learning even more so to loft up her returns. One of the most precious moments of the whole weekend was when the oh-so-cute Julie B. took her 1st swing OOL! When she dropped to the net, Julie laughed so purely & heartily that the sound of it tickled me so much. She reminded me that those are the moments we do all this for. World-traveling, talented Jen B-B. did her 1st real turn around w/a swing & then her 1st Cut Away w/a swing. She worked it so well & virtually perfectly her very 1st time. Tall, strong, handsome Greg M. made his 1st catches (B/E Straddle Whip) OOL!
Heather W. was once again amazing & impressing all of us w/her beautiful form & cool tricks. The awesome & single Jason F. made his 1st Hox Off catch ever OOL & followed it up soon after w/his 1st return OOL! He was hilarious & so animated during the nights of dancing.
The wonderful Marisa B. looked at home on the CG rig as she flew OOL & played w/the plethora of her tricks. Feisty Galit E. discovered her very effective flying mantra to help her release off of her B/E catches! Fun-loving & tatooed Scott S. was working up towards taking his Uprise Shoot OOL again. He made some easy catches & even got back to the return bar rather well, too! The elegant Maryam W. took her 1st B/E tricks to the net ever (B/E Splits) OOL! She made it to her back well in the net. Maryam dressed up as the cutest elf ever for the Sat night costume party.
As always, it was so good to have the lithe & worldly Emma S. w/us. Her rendition of a drunken stumble had me asking if she was really drunk (which she wasn't)! The positive Renee F. made her 1st ever B/E catch OOL! She worked so hard, positively & diligently to take her B/E Splits across, but after some prodding & convincing, she did it w/her B/E Planche. Congratulations, Renee! Talented & hardworking Lisa B. made her 1st return ever OOL! She was catching her B/E Splits so easily & consistently that she worked up to smoothing out her returns. Soon enough, she made a great catch, turned off the catcher & grabbed that return bar! Awesome, Lisa!
Hailing from Brooklyn, the adorable Lana did her 1st F/E Split & caught it, too!
"Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly,
kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably,
and never regret anything that made you smile." - Author Unknown
I felt this was an interesting quote, plus it included the word, "getaway". I've paraphrased it for our purposes:
"We only regard those... as real examples of love [as for flying]... in which a fixed & unalterable decision has been taken [such as jumping off the board]. If men or women contemplate an escape, they do not collect all their powers for the task [of flying]. In none of the serious & important tasks of life do we arrange such a 'getaway.' We cannot love & be limited." - Alfred Adler
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Thursday, September 4, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
Tonight was a pretty smooth night w/some more 1st times & better flying...!
After remounting the board w/ease, hardworking Lisa B. was tackling her Half Turns to the mat/net w/more confidence before making some Uprise Shoot catches w/our Manny. Elegant Maryam W. is making it all the way to her back w/her Splits to the mat/net w/a half turn down w/a touch of violence. Type A Elena G. was tweaking her Force Out Turn Around by pulling a little longer w/her left arm before making B/E Splits catches OOL. Determined Tanya E. is also working on her half turn to the mat/net off her B/E Splits. She's also working her returns off of catches better than ever!
Armed w/a stronger swing, the creative Suzanne M. started working on her Cut Away Half. Young, intelligent, cute Zane tried out her Full Twisting Layout for her 1st times tonight before making an easy Layout catch w/me. Before working on her Hox Saulto, the focused Emily S. remounted the pedestal board for her 1st time! As good-spirited as ever, Jen R. worked her remounts to the board w/increasing confidence before working her Cut Away Half. Talkative-in-the-air Leslie W. showed me that she can get into her B/E Splits just fine on the low bar, but refuses to break through that mental block to do it up high.
Positive Renee F. is making it to her back w/more consistency w/her half turn to the mat/net off her B/E Splits. Feisty Galit E. is taking it back to basics by doing a few tricks in lines. We thank Galit for selflessly working the board for us. Accompanied by her Luciano, our wonderful Denise M. is seeking to take her B/E Straddle Whip OOL again. Tense-bodied Fran S. remounted the pedestal for her 1st time!
I want each of the students to remember to work on &/or up to the basics in each class: turn around, remounting the pedestal & "half/halves". Also, blend in much creativity to their flying through their training.
This weekend, many of us are off to Club Getaway for our final intensive trapeze weekend of this year. Tune in again soon to hear all about it...!
"The art of progress is to preserve order amid change and to preserve change amid order." - Alfred North Whitehead
After remounting the board w/ease, hardworking Lisa B. was tackling her Half Turns to the mat/net w/more confidence before making some Uprise Shoot catches w/our Manny. Elegant Maryam W. is making it all the way to her back w/her Splits to the mat/net w/a half turn down w/a touch of violence. Type A Elena G. was tweaking her Force Out Turn Around by pulling a little longer w/her left arm before making B/E Splits catches OOL. Determined Tanya E. is also working on her half turn to the mat/net off her B/E Splits. She's also working her returns off of catches better than ever!
Armed w/a stronger swing, the creative Suzanne M. started working on her Cut Away Half. Young, intelligent, cute Zane tried out her Full Twisting Layout for her 1st times tonight before making an easy Layout catch w/me. Before working on her Hox Saulto, the focused Emily S. remounted the pedestal board for her 1st time! As good-spirited as ever, Jen R. worked her remounts to the board w/increasing confidence before working her Cut Away Half. Talkative-in-the-air Leslie W. showed me that she can get into her B/E Splits just fine on the low bar, but refuses to break through that mental block to do it up high.
Positive Renee F. is making it to her back w/more consistency w/her half turn to the mat/net off her B/E Splits. Feisty Galit E. is taking it back to basics by doing a few tricks in lines. We thank Galit for selflessly working the board for us. Accompanied by her Luciano, our wonderful Denise M. is seeking to take her B/E Straddle Whip OOL again. Tense-bodied Fran S. remounted the pedestal for her 1st time!
I want each of the students to remember to work on &/or up to the basics in each class: turn around, remounting the pedestal & "half/halves". Also, blend in much creativity to their flying through their training.
This weekend, many of us are off to Club Getaway for our final intensive trapeze weekend of this year. Tune in again soon to hear all about it...!
"The art of progress is to preserve order amid change and to preserve change amid order." - Alfred North Whitehead
Wednesday, October 3, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
It was a fairly quiet yet very productive Wednesday night...!
First, during staff training, a few of our instructors & instructor-in-training raised their game! Whit pulled for Knee Hang catches for her 1st times, and quite effectively I add! We studied what we had to work w/in regards to her pulling, then used a simple, timed technique to give her pulls that necessary boost. Nice work, Whit. You should volunteer to pull for catches as much as possible from now on.
Not that it wasn't fun, but I got to put the burly Egon through the ringer on board & felt almost guilty for pouring it on so much. He passed w/flying colors (no pun intended) as he kept it personal & safe, ingeniously not saying the same thing twice, and doing everything I would've done myself! Great work, Egon! YK got to hone her lines pulling by coupling her commands w/her pulling. Lizzy & I got to practice that really fun combo: B/E Splits into a Cut/Catch in my hands to a Pirouette return!
In the small class that followed, the ever-jovial Lidia T. got some 1-on-1 intense instruction from me on low bar before ripping her hands to shreds. You're making progress, Lidia! Hang in there! The focused Colleen P. was introduced to the turn around on the bar. Her very 1st one was actually very good! Then, she proceeded to over-think it all before making some Hox Off catches & working her returns w/our Lizzy as her catcher.
"When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm & a burning desire to get to work on it." - W. Clement Stone
What's your mission...?
First, during staff training, a few of our instructors & instructor-in-training raised their game! Whit pulled for Knee Hang catches for her 1st times, and quite effectively I add! We studied what we had to work w/in regards to her pulling, then used a simple, timed technique to give her pulls that necessary boost. Nice work, Whit. You should volunteer to pull for catches as much as possible from now on.
Not that it wasn't fun, but I got to put the burly Egon through the ringer on board & felt almost guilty for pouring it on so much. He passed w/flying colors (no pun intended) as he kept it personal & safe, ingeniously not saying the same thing twice, and doing everything I would've done myself! Great work, Egon! YK got to hone her lines pulling by coupling her commands w/her pulling. Lizzy & I got to practice that really fun combo: B/E Splits into a Cut/Catch in my hands to a Pirouette return!
In the small class that followed, the ever-jovial Lidia T. got some 1-on-1 intense instruction from me on low bar before ripping her hands to shreds. You're making progress, Lidia! Hang in there! The focused Colleen P. was introduced to the turn around on the bar. Her very 1st one was actually very good! Then, she proceeded to over-think it all before making some Hox Off catches & working her returns w/our Lizzy as her catcher.
"When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm & a burning desire to get to work on it." - W. Clement Stone
What's your mission...?
Monday, October 1, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
It was a very pleasant day w/good energies this Sunday at our rig...!
The lovely Nicole A. is in pursuit of OOL Splits, so she's working on the half turn to the mat/net after her position. She's also working on her Forward Over in lines. Remember, Nic, tuck fast & hard & quick, then open up fully. She made a few Uprise Shoot catches & returns towards the end of her class:
The wonderful Marisa B. worked on adding more power & loft to her Layout. Ever-laughing Jean L. climbed into her Uprise Shoot after taking her swing OOL on our rig! She made a playful catch & return using that Uprise Shoot:
Newbies Erin & Ole tried out flying for their 1st times. Erin, timid at 1st, made her 1st KH catch at the end her class! The lithe & worldly Emma S. declared, "I'm going to do something fun today...!" So, she chose the always crazy Hox Saulto to spice things up! Her 1st attempt virtually flew off the bar; her very next attempt remedied that but didn't rotate; and, Emma's 3rd try was a complete Hox Saulto! Great work, Emma! Welcome to the race to get it high enough to catch as our much loved Marisa did! Sarah from Texas returned to learn her Set Split. All was good right up until the point of catch! No worries, Sarah; you'll have that under your belt soon enough...
The world traveling, awesome Leslie F. worked on retaining power in her Layout before going for some Splits catches. The tense & intense Fran S. also worked on her Layout & swing w/some improvement.
During a birthday party for little Anna & her friends, Joni W. chaperoned the young, perpetually studious, beautiful pair of flyers, Ramona N. & Allison S. Ramona made a sweet catch & return w/her B/E Splits before playing w/her nice Layout. Allison was working on B/E Stag before easily catching her Set Splits. Here's Allison working on the B/E of her swing:
"Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway." - Mary Kay Ash
The lovely Nicole A. is in pursuit of OOL Splits, so she's working on the half turn to the mat/net after her position. She's also working on her Forward Over in lines. Remember, Nic, tuck fast & hard & quick, then open up fully. She made a few Uprise Shoot catches & returns towards the end of her class:
The wonderful Marisa B. worked on adding more power & loft to her Layout. Ever-laughing Jean L. climbed into her Uprise Shoot after taking her swing OOL on our rig! She made a playful catch & return using that Uprise Shoot:
Newbies Erin & Ole tried out flying for their 1st times. Erin, timid at 1st, made her 1st KH catch at the end her class! The lithe & worldly Emma S. declared, "I'm going to do something fun today...!" So, she chose the always crazy Hox Saulto to spice things up! Her 1st attempt virtually flew off the bar; her very next attempt remedied that but didn't rotate; and, Emma's 3rd try was a complete Hox Saulto! Great work, Emma! Welcome to the race to get it high enough to catch as our much loved Marisa did! Sarah from Texas returned to learn her Set Split. All was good right up until the point of catch! No worries, Sarah; you'll have that under your belt soon enough...
The world traveling, awesome Leslie F. worked on retaining power in her Layout before going for some Splits catches. The tense & intense Fran S. also worked on her Layout & swing w/some improvement.
During a birthday party for little Anna & her friends, Joni W. chaperoned the young, perpetually studious, beautiful pair of flyers, Ramona N. & Allison S. Ramona made a sweet catch & return w/her B/E Splits before playing w/her nice Layout. Allison was working on B/E Stag before easily catching her Set Splits. Here's Allison working on the B/E of her swing:
"Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway." - Mary Kay Ash
Friday, September 28, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
We had an easy night of flying w/some newbies this Friday evening. The students included Mari, Tamara & J. Pagan. Pagan with her long swimmer's body was a natural that made her KH catch very easily & is ready to try out new positions! We hope to see them all again soon...!
"The heights by great men reached & kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"The heights by great men reached & kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Thursday, September 27, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
This night we flew in the S.H.O.W. program & made some more great headway...!
Some highlights of the evening's flying:
The always cute Suzanne M. not only learned but also caught her Half Turn for her 1st times all in one night! Goes to show you that it can happen if you just apply yourself. The incredibly adept Allegra G. & Feisty Galit E. are both working on their returns out of lines! Allegra is doing so using her B/E Straddle Whip & turning comfortably when the catch is not there. Galit is using her B/E Planche. Both are ready to get that return bar OOL soon! The powerful Molly G. was finding her timing again in pursuit of taking her Splits OOL. And, we congratulate Renee F. on landing her 1st apartment rental!
"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same." - Anne Frank
Some highlights of the evening's flying:
The always cute Suzanne M. not only learned but also caught her Half Turn for her 1st times all in one night! Goes to show you that it can happen if you just apply yourself. The incredibly adept Allegra G. & Feisty Galit E. are both working on their returns out of lines! Allegra is doing so using her B/E Straddle Whip & turning comfortably when the catch is not there. Galit is using her B/E Planche. Both are ready to get that return bar OOL soon! The powerful Molly G. was finding her timing again in pursuit of taking her Splits OOL. And, we congratulate Renee F. on landing her 1st apartment rental!
"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same." - Anne Frank
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
We wish Maya F. the happiest of birthdays!
It was an easy night at Streb starting w/our staff training & flying followed by a nice little class...
Ami I. worked the board a little more in prep for this Sunday's TV taping. The burly Egon is looking more comfortable on the pedestal board. Eli worked the board for his 1st time. Highly-skilled Lisa R. was throwing Double Pikes. Intense Lizzy H. was tweaking her Layout. YK & Keith practiced on lines & commands a little more. Whit C. tried out her 1st Layout w/some very good results!
In the class that followed, there was Jason the natural, his slightly timid girlfriend Anthia & YK's friend, Sabelo. Jason easily mastered the Knee Hang & made two catches before being introduced to the Set Planche.
All the while in the back drop of our flying, Fabio was teaching a packed class of his popular Flip/Tuck. And, then we had some lovely ladies (unknown to me as of now) doing some beautiful silks moves.
"When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self." - Confucius
It was an easy night at Streb starting w/our staff training & flying followed by a nice little class...
Ami I. worked the board a little more in prep for this Sunday's TV taping. The burly Egon is looking more comfortable on the pedestal board. Eli worked the board for his 1st time. Highly-skilled Lisa R. was throwing Double Pikes. Intense Lizzy H. was tweaking her Layout. YK & Keith practiced on lines & commands a little more. Whit C. tried out her 1st Layout w/some very good results!
In the class that followed, there was Jason the natural, his slightly timid girlfriend Anthia & YK's friend, Sabelo. Jason easily mastered the Knee Hang & made two catches before being introduced to the Set Planche.
All the while in the back drop of our flying, Fabio was teaching a packed class of his popular Flip/Tuck. And, then we had some lovely ladies (unknown to me as of now) doing some beautiful silks moves.
"When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self." - Confucius
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
This Tuesday's Swing, Catch & Return class was a great one w/some 1st times & growing prowess...!
After learning to remount the pedestal board on her 1st swing (using a quarter-turn) despite her considerable power, cool-customer Allegra G. made her 1st ever out of lines ("OOL" as penned by Jen R.) catch!! She accomplished it using her B/E Straddle Whip. Congratulations, Allegra. Welcome to the next level of your flying.
Allegra's 1st catch (B/E Straddle Whip) out of lines! (Notice the contained smile...)
Allegra's 2nd catch out of lines!
Speaking of the ever-positive Jen R., she learned to press well on her returns. Jen, remember when you wanted your 1st returns so badly? Now, full round trips are almost old hat! Elegant Maryam W. competently worked through our curriculum requirements including turn arounds & half turns. Determined Tanya E. practiced her B/E Splits w/a half turn to the net/mat before making some easy catches.
Tall, smiling Max R. worked out his hands to the point of bleeding, but he accomplished his 1st ever B/E catches ever (using his planche)! Newly minted prodigy Karen G. won some incredulous eye-daggers by also doing her 1st B/E catches ever (using her Splits), too! The adorable Lauri W. was looking buff as she found a nice, consistency w/the tempo of her swing! And, she's getting ever-closer to making her B/E Splits! Soon enough, Lauri. Then, mark my words, you'll be looking back at all this w/a laugh.
The previously feisty Galit E. is not only catching her B/E Planche OOL but also working her returns OOL now! Nice work, Galit. Interesting Colleen P. & bright-spirited Lidia T. are both learning more "swing theory" as they tackle their positions & catches. French Emmanuelle C. is in pursuit of newer tricks even as she remounts the pedestal w/more ease. Strong Lex R. (father of Max R.) is holding his Straddle Whip better as he better utilizes his stronger swing. A pigtailed Sharron was practicing her turn around before working her returns off her Hox Off. And, the always welcome Alex K. honed her turn around, too, before making some catches & playing w/her Layout.
In the background of our flying, Rebecca S. was practicing her pole dancing for the upcoming Halloween show.
The staff of Randy "Source-of-All-Balls" K., the flyer-formerly-known-as Amy W. & I had some fun of our own, too. Randy was honing his Pirouette return. He was brave & nice enough to hang for my Double.
Attempted catch of my Double:
Amy is gradually getting back on the horse by throwing her Layout OOL & her Splits to catch.
Amy's Splits catch:
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." - John Keats
"The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it." - Pearl S. Buck
After learning to remount the pedestal board on her 1st swing (using a quarter-turn) despite her considerable power, cool-customer Allegra G. made her 1st ever out of lines ("OOL" as penned by Jen R.) catch!! She accomplished it using her B/E Straddle Whip. Congratulations, Allegra. Welcome to the next level of your flying.
Allegra's 1st catch (B/E Straddle Whip) out of lines! (Notice the contained smile...)
Allegra's 2nd catch out of lines!
Speaking of the ever-positive Jen R., she learned to press well on her returns. Jen, remember when you wanted your 1st returns so badly? Now, full round trips are almost old hat! Elegant Maryam W. competently worked through our curriculum requirements including turn arounds & half turns. Determined Tanya E. practiced her B/E Splits w/a half turn to the net/mat before making some easy catches.
Tall, smiling Max R. worked out his hands to the point of bleeding, but he accomplished his 1st ever B/E catches ever (using his planche)! Newly minted prodigy Karen G. won some incredulous eye-daggers by also doing her 1st B/E catches ever (using her Splits), too! The adorable Lauri W. was looking buff as she found a nice, consistency w/the tempo of her swing! And, she's getting ever-closer to making her B/E Splits! Soon enough, Lauri. Then, mark my words, you'll be looking back at all this w/a laugh.
The previously feisty Galit E. is not only catching her B/E Planche OOL but also working her returns OOL now! Nice work, Galit. Interesting Colleen P. & bright-spirited Lidia T. are both learning more "swing theory" as they tackle their positions & catches. French Emmanuelle C. is in pursuit of newer tricks even as she remounts the pedestal w/more ease. Strong Lex R. (father of Max R.) is holding his Straddle Whip better as he better utilizes his stronger swing. A pigtailed Sharron was practicing her turn around before working her returns off her Hox Off. And, the always welcome Alex K. honed her turn around, too, before making some catches & playing w/her Layout.
In the background of our flying, Rebecca S. was practicing her pole dancing for the upcoming Halloween show.
The staff of Randy "Source-of-All-Balls" K., the flyer-formerly-known-as Amy W. & I had some fun of our own, too. Randy was honing his Pirouette return. He was brave & nice enough to hang for my Double.
Attempted catch of my Double:
Amy is gradually getting back on the horse by throwing her Layout OOL & her Splits to catch.
Amy's Splits catch:
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." - John Keats
"The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it." - Pearl S. Buck
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
It started out as any other day of flying, but there was promise & potential in the air...!
Focused & fun Emily S.'s Hox Saulto is looking high & safe enough to catch! We'll be hanging for that soon enough. Young, beautiful & intelligent Willa had a breakthrough: no longer "hollowing" early! This aided her in getting into her B/E Straddle Whip more easily. The determined & easy-going Danielle took a few hits in her battle w/her elusive Planche. Hang in there, Danielle; you'll conquer it one way or another. Billy Wearing his Superman t-shirt, little Romy had fun w/a few swings & flying over the length of our net/mat. Jen M. was as pleasant-spirited as ever as she flew well w/her Set Whip positions & catches. Still thinking too much, Liv H. tried wrapping her head around the Set Straddle Whip.
The lithe & worldly Emma S. mustered up her energy, showing us her stronger swing. She could've, would've & should've had THREE returns off her Hox Off if she only REALLY wanted the bar! The lovely, shy Nicole A. improved her swing a bit before throwing a one of her best ever Uprise Shoots followed by some easy B/E Splits catches. Round trips should be in Nicole's classes all the time. The young, beautiful, smart Maya F. was on her game again as she easily made her catches & returns. It's time for Maya to up the ante on her bag of tricks.
From Independent Lake Camp, young flyers Marni, Michelle & Clara showed us their stuff! Marni had the fun of trying out a Double Cut Away. Michelle made a return off her B/E catch. And, Clara was looking strong w/her Layout catch. I hope to see each of them again soon.
Our Bobby H. had some of his nieces come in to play on the rig. There was Janey, Cassie, Cara & Melanie the natural. Their hands were shot well before we could go for catches, so they got to play on the silks a little after flying.
The elegant Maryam W. We had the pleasure & privilege of flying w/the perma-laughing, world traveling Jean L.! Her swing is looking stronger than ever as she played w/each of her tricks, getting used to our rig & giggling the whole time! Feisty Galit E. brought Things 1 & 2 and got to swing out some not-so-bright feelings. Good for you, Galit. Little, tense-bodied Paulina developed her B/E Straddle Whip enough for catches! She made her 1st B/E catches ever this day!
Speaking of 1st times: Randy "the source of all balls" K. gave me the confidence & coaching necessary to throw my Double once again for the 1st time in a very long time (months!). Before long, I threw my 1st ones out of lines!! This was the culmination & goal from the very beginning of my trapeze career. A few of you stated, "I didn't even know you were working on your Double...!?" LOL I wasn't.
My 1st Doubles out of lines!
I thank Randy for helping me renew my love of flying & showing me that, as I've told my students, anything is really possible. I'm gonna pass this new passion & daring along to the rest of you! I can hardly wait to see what we can do now...!
"We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn." - Henry David Thoreau
Focused & fun Emily S.'s Hox Saulto is looking high & safe enough to catch! We'll be hanging for that soon enough. Young, beautiful & intelligent Willa had a breakthrough: no longer "hollowing" early! This aided her in getting into her B/E Straddle Whip more easily. The determined & easy-going Danielle took a few hits in her battle w/her elusive Planche. Hang in there, Danielle; you'll conquer it one way or another. Billy Wearing his Superman t-shirt, little Romy had fun w/a few swings & flying over the length of our net/mat. Jen M. was as pleasant-spirited as ever as she flew well w/her Set Whip positions & catches. Still thinking too much, Liv H. tried wrapping her head around the Set Straddle Whip.
The lithe & worldly Emma S. mustered up her energy, showing us her stronger swing. She could've, would've & should've had THREE returns off her Hox Off if she only REALLY wanted the bar! The lovely, shy Nicole A. improved her swing a bit before throwing a one of her best ever Uprise Shoots followed by some easy B/E Splits catches. Round trips should be in Nicole's classes all the time. The young, beautiful, smart Maya F. was on her game again as she easily made her catches & returns. It's time for Maya to up the ante on her bag of tricks.
From Independent Lake Camp, young flyers Marni, Michelle & Clara showed us their stuff! Marni had the fun of trying out a Double Cut Away. Michelle made a return off her B/E catch. And, Clara was looking strong w/her Layout catch. I hope to see each of them again soon.
Our Bobby H. had some of his nieces come in to play on the rig. There was Janey, Cassie, Cara & Melanie the natural. Their hands were shot well before we could go for catches, so they got to play on the silks a little after flying.
The elegant Maryam W. We had the pleasure & privilege of flying w/the perma-laughing, world traveling Jean L.! Her swing is looking stronger than ever as she played w/each of her tricks, getting used to our rig & giggling the whole time! Feisty Galit E. brought Things 1 & 2 and got to swing out some not-so-bright feelings. Good for you, Galit. Little, tense-bodied Paulina developed her B/E Straddle Whip enough for catches! She made her 1st B/E catches ever this day!
Speaking of 1st times: Randy "the source of all balls" K. gave me the confidence & coaching necessary to throw my Double once again for the 1st time in a very long time (months!). Before long, I threw my 1st ones out of lines!! This was the culmination & goal from the very beginning of my trapeze career. A few of you stated, "I didn't even know you were working on your Double...!?" LOL I wasn't.
My 1st Doubles out of lines!
I thank Randy for helping me renew my love of flying & showing me that, as I've told my students, anything is really possible. I'm gonna pass this new passion & daring along to the rest of you! I can hardly wait to see what we can do now...!
"We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn." - Henry David Thoreau
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
This Tuesday, we flew in the 1st session of our newest Swing, Catch & Return program.
The 1st group all made the Half Turn catches! Despite having a few wks off, Allegra G. was flying tighter than ever both on the trapeze & trampoline.
Allegra's Back Layouts on trampoline:
Tight-bodied Thais K. is developing her flying nicely out of lines. The earnest Kristin R. had a great night! She remounted the pedestal board for her 1st time before learning AND catching her Half Turn for her 1st time, too! Excellent flying, Kristin! Kristin M. & Maryam both started learning & catching their Half Turns.
Feisty Galit E. made an easy return & dusted off her Flexus Flexus. Maggie F. made a return off her B/E Split. Ever-bright Lidia T. showed initiative by going for her B/E Whips for her 1st times! Good work, Lidia! Interesting Colleen P. is tweaking swing her swing & catching her B/E Whip. Tall Max R. & adorable Lauri W. are slowly finding their swing tempos. Max has moved onto a good unassisted take-off while easily catching his Set Planche. He's more than ready for B/E positions. Mark my words: he'll be catching his B/E Planche very soon...! Lauri is fighting the good fight as she goes for her B/E Split.
French Emmanuelle C. was easily making her "go to" B/E Bird's Nest catches as she tweaks her swing & makes herself ready for new tricks. Quick-study Karen G. started on the B/E of her swing w/promising results. If only we can tame her wild hands during catches. Legal eagle Sharron C. is looking very comfortable w/her Hox Off catches by controlling her rotation off the bar. Ever-comfortable Alex K. is looking stronger swing; the time w/the legendary Peter Gold has been good to her!
"The only force that can overcome an idea and a faith is another and better idea and faith, positively and fearlessly upheld." - Dorothy Thompson
Have faith in your flying...
The 1st group all made the Half Turn catches! Despite having a few wks off, Allegra G. was flying tighter than ever both on the trapeze & trampoline.
Allegra's Back Layouts on trampoline:
Tight-bodied Thais K. is developing her flying nicely out of lines. The earnest Kristin R. had a great night! She remounted the pedestal board for her 1st time before learning AND catching her Half Turn for her 1st time, too! Excellent flying, Kristin! Kristin M. & Maryam both started learning & catching their Half Turns.
Feisty Galit E. made an easy return & dusted off her Flexus Flexus. Maggie F. made a return off her B/E Split. Ever-bright Lidia T. showed initiative by going for her B/E Whips for her 1st times! Good work, Lidia! Interesting Colleen P. is tweaking swing her swing & catching her B/E Whip. Tall Max R. & adorable Lauri W. are slowly finding their swing tempos. Max has moved onto a good unassisted take-off while easily catching his Set Planche. He's more than ready for B/E positions. Mark my words: he'll be catching his B/E Planche very soon...! Lauri is fighting the good fight as she goes for her B/E Split.
French Emmanuelle C. was easily making her "go to" B/E Bird's Nest catches as she tweaks her swing & makes herself ready for new tricks. Quick-study Karen G. started on the B/E of her swing w/promising results. If only we can tame her wild hands during catches. Legal eagle Sharron C. is looking very comfortable w/her Hox Off catches by controlling her rotation off the bar. Ever-comfortable Alex K. is looking stronger swing; the time w/the legendary Peter Gold has been good to her!
"The only force that can overcome an idea and a faith is another and better idea and faith, positively and fearlessly upheld." - Dorothy Thompson
Have faith in your flying...
Saturday to Sunday, September 15 to 16, 2007, Kent, CT
This weekend, from Friday night to Sunday, was Club Getaway's Boomer weekend. It was mixed in w/some Columbia students & families at a corporate getaway. But, most of the high flying featured in this post are w/the diverse, wonderful Heather W. & the brave, capable Jayne D. I was joined this wkend w/Manny "the Machine" M. & playful Ann Marie Y.
Heather's Layout catch & return:
Heather's Shooting Star catch & return:
Heather's Shooting Star catch & return (2nd):
Heather's Mod (Back Hip Circle Release):
Jayne's B/E Whip catch & return:
Jayne's Pull Over Forward Over:
"What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful." - The Dalai Lama
Heather's Layout catch & return:
Heather's Shooting Star catch & return:
Heather's Shooting Star catch & return (2nd):
Heather's Mod (Back Hip Circle Release):
Jayne's B/E Whip catch & return:
Jayne's Pull Over Forward Over:
"What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful." - The Dalai Lama
Wednesday, September 12, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
(to be included soon...!)
Staff training
Verane's Knee Hang:
"Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win." - Bernadette Devlin
Staff training
Verane's Knee Hang:
"Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win." - Bernadette Devlin
Friday to Sunday, September 7 to 9, 2007, Kent, CT
(more to be included soon...!)
Club Getaway Intensive Trapeze Weekend
Me & my Catherine:
Skye, Maryam & Tatiana on board:
Scott showing there's no vanity in trapeze!
Exhausted Marisa:
Zane in the catch trap:
Some silks in the boathouse:
Zane teaching static trapeze:
Me & perma-jovial Jen:
Adorable, awesome Zane:
Gang of flyers having some nightly fun:
"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it." - Pablo Picasso
Club Getaway Intensive Trapeze Weekend
Me & my Catherine:
Skye, Maryam & Tatiana on board:
Scott showing there's no vanity in trapeze!
Exhausted Marisa:
Zane in the catch trap:
Some silks in the boathouse:
Zane teaching static trapeze:
Me & perma-jovial Jen:
Adorable, awesome Zane:
Gang of flyers having some nightly fun:
"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it." - Pablo Picasso
Thursday, September 6, 2007, Brookly, NY
(more to be included soon...!)
We started off the first S.H.O.W. (Super High Output Workshop) session on numerous positive flying notes! Some of the highlights included:
Kristin R. not only remounted the pedestal board for her 1st time ever, but she also learned AND caught her Half Turn all in one night!
Susie, Jen, Jeff, Dino, Allegra, Thais & Emily:
Allegra's B/E Split w/half turn to net/mat:
Emily's Straight Jump:
Jen's Cut Away:
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Thais' Uprise Shoot:
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." - Anatole France
We started off the first S.H.O.W. (Super High Output Workshop) session on numerous positive flying notes! Some of the highlights included:
Kristin R. not only remounted the pedestal board for her 1st time ever, but she also learned AND caught her Half Turn all in one night!
Susie, Jen, Jeff, Dino, Allegra, Thais & Emily:
Allegra's B/E Split w/half turn to net/mat:
Emily's Straight Jump:
Jen's Cut Away:
(invalid file format)
Thais' Uprise Shoot:
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." - Anatole France
Wednesday, September 5, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
On this Wednesday night, we started off the evening w/some staff training & flying, then ended off the night w/some fun flying by some students. We even had a Brazilian TV shoot during the start of the night.
During staff training, Chem practiced his swing w/Egon & Keith getting some time in the catch trap. University student, Whit, stopped by for the 1st time to our little rig to acquaint herself w/ESTA. Ami practiced working the board before making a F/E Split catch. Our Susie W. hung in the catch trap to catch an Uprise Shoot (mine) for her 1st time! The talented Lisa R. made a layout catch & return w/me before timing some Doubles.
In the class that followed, Lex R. owned his b/e straddle whip better than ever! Son Max R. honed his swing a little more before making an easy Planche catch. French Emmanuelle C. branched out her training w/some Cut Aways. And, strong, little, fashionable Paulina looked good w/her Pull Over Shoot. As versatile as ever, our Susie W. caught the class!
In the backdrop of our indoor space, the fiery-locked Jordan B. was teaching silks, and Fabio was conducting his popular Flip/Tuck class w/Streb members as participants including powerhouse Ami, beautifully lithe Sarah, charismatic Chem & ever-effervescent Mary-J!
"Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement." - Alfred Adler
During staff training, Chem practiced his swing w/Egon & Keith getting some time in the catch trap. University student, Whit, stopped by for the 1st time to our little rig to acquaint herself w/ESTA. Ami practiced working the board before making a F/E Split catch. Our Susie W. hung in the catch trap to catch an Uprise Shoot (mine) for her 1st time! The talented Lisa R. made a layout catch & return w/me before timing some Doubles.
In the class that followed, Lex R. owned his b/e straddle whip better than ever! Son Max R. honed his swing a little more before making an easy Planche catch. French Emmanuelle C. branched out her training w/some Cut Aways. And, strong, little, fashionable Paulina looked good w/her Pull Over Shoot. As versatile as ever, our Susie W. caught the class!
In the backdrop of our indoor space, the fiery-locked Jordan B. was teaching silks, and Fabio was conducting his popular Flip/Tuck class w/Streb members as participants including powerhouse Ami, beautifully lithe Sarah, charismatic Chem & ever-effervescent Mary-J!
"Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement." - Alfred Adler
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
The lithe & worldly Emma S. came in for the 2nd day in a row to hone her swing. She pushed her endurance to new levels & her hands to new limits! The lovely Nicole A. also returned for more flying for her 2nd day in a row! She's learning to open her shoulders more in the F/E of her swing. She made some easy catches w/our Hal & even started developing her Face Off.
My Catherine R.S. is making progress w/the B/E of her swing; hopefully, she'll be continuing her training as frequently as now! Fairly new (albeit very promising) flyer Billy P. caught his F/E Whip for his 1st time after working on that same position for 3 weeks at a different, Manhattan-based flying trapeze location! He also learned & caught his F/E Planche during the same class as well as tried out his Pull Over Shoot AND F/E Straddle Whip!
"You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day." - Marian Wright Edelman
My Catherine R.S. is making progress w/the B/E of her swing; hopefully, she'll be continuing her training as frequently as now! Fairly new (albeit very promising) flyer Billy P. caught his F/E Whip for his 1st time after working on that same position for 3 weeks at a different, Manhattan-based flying trapeze location! He also learned & caught his F/E Planche during the same class as well as tried out his Pull Over Shoot AND F/E Straddle Whip!
"You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day." - Marian Wright Edelman
Saturday, September 1, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
It was a nice show of force w/many good flyers starting off the day & a decent group of newbies ending it off...!
Making the most of her time State-side, the lithe & worldly Emma S. worked on adding the half turn to her descent to the mat/net. The lovely Nicole A. honed her Uprise Fwd Over a bit before catching & returning her B/E Splits.
Feisty Galit E. brought Things 1's & 2's demure babysitter as well as friend Naftalie so the two could try out our passion. Both the babysitter & Naftalie made their 1st KH catches!
Galit's baby sitter's KH:
Galit dusted off her Flexus & managed to snag a Flexus Flexus soon after!
Workaholic, type A Marisa B. took time away from the legal world to work on her Layout:
The talented, beautiful Maya F. refrained from her Uprises (though she does them easily!) & made a nice B/E Splits catch & return. Tense-bodied, jovial Paulina R. almost perfected her Pull Over Shoot; she just has to get over her fears of colliding w/catchers!
The group of newbies did well for their 1st times! They included Sandy, Jen, Winnie, Sarah B. & token-male Sean F. Pulling their best tricks out just in time for catching, friends Sandy, Winnie & Jen each made their 1st catches! Sarah B. did so well that she was pretty much a text book example of a Knee Hang as she made her catch for her 1st time, too!
Sandy's Knee Hang:
Sarah's Knee Hang:
Jen's Knee Hang catch:
"To cement a new friendship, especially between foreigners or persons of a different social world, a spark with which both were secretly charged must fly from person to person, and cut across the accidents of place and time." - The Ape in Me, 1959, Cornelia Otis Skinner
Making the most of her time State-side, the lithe & worldly Emma S. worked on adding the half turn to her descent to the mat/net. The lovely Nicole A. honed her Uprise Fwd Over a bit before catching & returning her B/E Splits.
Feisty Galit E. brought Things 1's & 2's demure babysitter as well as friend Naftalie so the two could try out our passion. Both the babysitter & Naftalie made their 1st KH catches!
Galit's baby sitter's KH:
Galit dusted off her Flexus & managed to snag a Flexus Flexus soon after!
Workaholic, type A Marisa B. took time away from the legal world to work on her Layout:
The talented, beautiful Maya F. refrained from her Uprises (though she does them easily!) & made a nice B/E Splits catch & return. Tense-bodied, jovial Paulina R. almost perfected her Pull Over Shoot; she just has to get over her fears of colliding w/catchers!
The group of newbies did well for their 1st times! They included Sandy, Jen, Winnie, Sarah B. & token-male Sean F. Pulling their best tricks out just in time for catching, friends Sandy, Winnie & Jen each made their 1st catches! Sarah B. did so well that she was pretty much a text book example of a Knee Hang as she made her catch for her 1st time, too!
Sandy's Knee Hang:
Sarah's Knee Hang:
Jen's Knee Hang catch:
"To cement a new friendship, especially between foreigners or persons of a different social world, a spark with which both were secretly charged must fly from person to person, and cut across the accidents of place and time." - The Ape in Me, 1959, Cornelia Otis Skinner
Tuesday to Thursday, August 28 to 30, 2007, Kent, CT
Up in Kent, CT at Club Getaway, the air is clean & bracing, the water is warm & inviting, the flying is fun & uplifting...!
For a few days during Family Week, I had the pleasure of working & flying w/the fearless leader of CG's circus programs, Beth F. Also in the air & out of lines was the diverse, dancing, intellectual Ann-Marie Y. as well as the gentlemanly Kieran.
Ann-Marie's F/E Splits catch:
Beth's B/E Splits catch & return:
Beth's B/E Straddle Whip catch & return:
Lead by their comely matriarch, Lisa, siblings Luke, Noah, Colin & their baby sister w/curls enjoyed their time at CG. Noah grew in prowess & confidence as he tried trapeze more & more; he eventually got his KH & Back Flip! Young & reserved Colin was a confident natural in the air. Eldest Luke turned out to be a flying dynamo, learning AND catching multiple tricks in only three days! KH, Heels Off, Straddle Whip & Planche! I hope to fly w/him again someday.
Luke's Bird's Nest:
Luke's Heels Off:
Luke's Straddle Whip:
The family of Colin, Trudy & Valerie came all the way from PA to sample the air up there. Both Colin & Trudy tried out a few swings. Young, math-minded Valerie learned & caught both her KH & Heels Off!
I saw twins Jordan & Justin roaming around the village trying out everything from flying to basketball. Quiet Katie, young Piper, adventurous Muriel & adept Oliver each made their 1st KH catches! Kids Defne, Grace & Zack each tried out some flying, too. And, not to be shown up, Joanne & Alice showed that age is just mind over matter: if you don't mind, it don't matter.
"Nor need we power or splendor, wide hall or lordly dome; the good, the true, the tender -- these form the wealth of home." - Sarah J. Hale
"The voice of parents is the voice of gods, for to their children they are heaven's lieutenants." - Shakespeare
For a few days during Family Week, I had the pleasure of working & flying w/the fearless leader of CG's circus programs, Beth F. Also in the air & out of lines was the diverse, dancing, intellectual Ann-Marie Y. as well as the gentlemanly Kieran.
Ann-Marie's F/E Splits catch:
Beth's B/E Splits catch & return:
Beth's B/E Straddle Whip catch & return:
Lead by their comely matriarch, Lisa, siblings Luke, Noah, Colin & their baby sister w/curls enjoyed their time at CG. Noah grew in prowess & confidence as he tried trapeze more & more; he eventually got his KH & Back Flip! Young & reserved Colin was a confident natural in the air. Eldest Luke turned out to be a flying dynamo, learning AND catching multiple tricks in only three days! KH, Heels Off, Straddle Whip & Planche! I hope to fly w/him again someday.
Luke's Bird's Nest:
Luke's Heels Off:
Luke's Straddle Whip:
The family of Colin, Trudy & Valerie came all the way from PA to sample the air up there. Both Colin & Trudy tried out a few swings. Young, math-minded Valerie learned & caught both her KH & Heels Off!
I saw twins Jordan & Justin roaming around the village trying out everything from flying to basketball. Quiet Katie, young Piper, adventurous Muriel & adept Oliver each made their 1st KH catches! Kids Defne, Grace & Zack each tried out some flying, too. And, not to be shown up, Joanne & Alice showed that age is just mind over matter: if you don't mind, it don't matter.
"Nor need we power or splendor, wide hall or lordly dome; the good, the true, the tender -- these form the wealth of home." - Sarah J. Hale
"The voice of parents is the voice of gods, for to their children they are heaven's lieutenants." - Shakespeare
Monday, August 27, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
I haven't been an instructor on Monday nights for a while; it appears that there's a growing number of regulars for that night...!
I got the pleasure of flying once again w/the lissom Ann W. She was playing around w/her myriad of tricks before throwing & catching her Forward Over w/me! I haven't gotten to fly w/the free spirited Marcie B. is so long. Her swing has gotten nice & consistent; she should be working on only B/E tricks! (Hint, hint) Marcie (too) easily made her F/E Whip catches. The agile Kitao S. grows in strength & prowess by each time I see him! His Double Back Tuck is good to go; we just need to hang for it before the night grows long & he grows fatigued! Our Bobby's friend, CJ, made his 1st KH catch ever! Pragmatic Edie compared teaching styles & lingo as she tweaked her B/E
Split & made a catch. The powerful & tight Keith bettered his B/E Planche by keeping his head up.
My Catherine R.S. returned to the air to work on the B/E of her swing w/promising results! The strong & even-tempered Lex R.'s swing is stronger than ever as he fights to take the "bounce" out of his B/E Straddle Whip. Brawny Egon worked on his F/E Straddle Whip before making a Hox style KH catch. Rounding out the night, Angela B. made her 1st F/E Splits catch!
"Not only is another world possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." - Arundhati Roy
I got the pleasure of flying once again w/the lissom Ann W. She was playing around w/her myriad of tricks before throwing & catching her Forward Over w/me! I haven't gotten to fly w/the free spirited Marcie B. is so long. Her swing has gotten nice & consistent; she should be working on only B/E tricks! (Hint, hint) Marcie (too) easily made her F/E Whip catches. The agile Kitao S. grows in strength & prowess by each time I see him! His Double Back Tuck is good to go; we just need to hang for it before the night grows long & he grows fatigued! Our Bobby's friend, CJ, made his 1st KH catch ever! Pragmatic Edie compared teaching styles & lingo as she tweaked her B/E
Split & made a catch. The powerful & tight Keith bettered his B/E Planche by keeping his head up.
My Catherine R.S. returned to the air to work on the B/E of her swing w/promising results! The strong & even-tempered Lex R.'s swing is stronger than ever as he fights to take the "bounce" out of his B/E Straddle Whip. Brawny Egon worked on his F/E Straddle Whip before making a Hox style KH catch. Rounding out the night, Angela B. made her 1st F/E Splits catch!
"Not only is another world possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." - Arundhati Roy
Monday, August 27, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
The 1st class of the day was a delight to teach! The young, talented & beautiful Maya F. was taking some swings & learning fast on this day before returning to high school. She honed her swing before showing us how easy her 1st B/E Uprise Shoot is for her! Maya then quickly graduated to the Uprise Forward Over before making some Shoot catches w/our Manny.
Maya's Uprise Shoot:
Maya's Uprise Forward Over:
Maya's Uprise Shoot catch:
Little, tense-bodied Paulina was back for more! Her hips hurt too much for her to continue on w/her Pull Over Shoot from Friday, but she learned to relax a little while practicing the B/E of her swing. Paulina then made a F/E Straddle Whip catch w/Manny even as fatigue set in.
The quiet Jen M. progressed w/her F/E Whip & Pull Over Shoot rather well before making some catches w/our Manny.
Jen M.'s Pull Over Shoot:
Jen's F/E Whip:
British Josie N. represented for her & her sister as her sister took ill & couldn't take the class. Josie practiced to perfection & made her 1st Knee Hang catches w/our Susie W. Young, earnest Sophia dusted off her F/E Bird's Nest before practicing her F/E Splits. She then went on to make her 1st ever Birdie catch w/our Susie!
Our Susie's swing has gotten so much more powerful in the past few months. She went from "mule kick" to relaxed swing to her present swing w/real sweeps! Take a look:
"It doesn't work to leap a twenty-foot chasm in two ten-foot jumps." - American proverb
Maya's Uprise Shoot:
Maya's Uprise Forward Over:
Maya's Uprise Shoot catch:
Little, tense-bodied Paulina was back for more! Her hips hurt too much for her to continue on w/her Pull Over Shoot from Friday, but she learned to relax a little while practicing the B/E of her swing. Paulina then made a F/E Straddle Whip catch w/Manny even as fatigue set in.
The quiet Jen M. progressed w/her F/E Whip & Pull Over Shoot rather well before making some catches w/our Manny.
Jen M.'s Pull Over Shoot:
Jen's F/E Whip:
British Josie N. represented for her & her sister as her sister took ill & couldn't take the class. Josie practiced to perfection & made her 1st Knee Hang catches w/our Susie W. Young, earnest Sophia dusted off her F/E Bird's Nest before practicing her F/E Splits. She then went on to make her 1st ever Birdie catch w/our Susie!
Our Susie's swing has gotten so much more powerful in the past few months. She went from "mule kick" to relaxed swing to her present swing w/real sweeps! Take a look:
"It doesn't work to leap a twenty-foot chasm in two ten-foot jumps." - American proverb
Saturday, August 25, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
This Saturday was a relaxing & easy day of flying...
Emma S. had the whole 1st class of the day all to herself! She was getting back into the swing of things after taking some time off for work. She worked her swing well, got reacquainted w/her abdominal muscles & had fun hanging w/us! Welcome back, Emma!
The 2nd class of the day had some newbies & one quickly growing, flying prodigy! It was the 1st time for I-banker Serena & Seattle's Adam. They both did very well & made their 1st catches ever! Super-quick-learner, Rex, not only went from practicing the B/E of his swing but also learned his full swing (sans force out for now) w/a good cadence rather quickly. By the end of class, Rex learned & caught his Pull Over Shoot, B/E Planche AND B/E Straddle Whip for his 1st times! I'm sure we'll see them again soon...!
"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." - Charles DuBois
Emma S. had the whole 1st class of the day all to herself! She was getting back into the swing of things after taking some time off for work. She worked her swing well, got reacquainted w/her abdominal muscles & had fun hanging w/us! Welcome back, Emma!
The 2nd class of the day had some newbies & one quickly growing, flying prodigy! It was the 1st time for I-banker Serena & Seattle's Adam. They both did very well & made their 1st catches ever! Super-quick-learner, Rex, not only went from practicing the B/E of his swing but also learned his full swing (sans force out for now) w/a good cadence rather quickly. By the end of class, Rex learned & caught his Pull Over Shoot, B/E Planche AND B/E Straddle Whip for his 1st times! I'm sure we'll see them again soon...!
"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." - Charles DuBois
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
It was a nice & fun Friday night at our little rig in Brooklyn...
The 5:30pm Beginners' Class included Diana, Maria, David, Megan & Katherine. David's presence reconfirmed the approximate demographics of flying trapeze students in the NYC area: less than 20% of flyers are male. Young Mega is a friend of our Denise D.! Both David & Megan excelled & were pretty much ready for catches. I hope we see them all soon to fulfill those catches!
Little, super-tense Paulina had a virtual private class on Friday evening! She learned & practiced her Pull Over Shoot to the point where she's very close to getting it perfectly! Only one or two more practices should do it, Paulina!
"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." - Michelangelo
The 5:30pm Beginners' Class included Diana, Maria, David, Megan & Katherine. David's presence reconfirmed the approximate demographics of flying trapeze students in the NYC area: less than 20% of flyers are male. Young Mega is a friend of our Denise D.! Both David & Megan excelled & were pretty much ready for catches. I hope we see them all soon to fulfill those catches!
Little, super-tense Paulina had a virtual private class on Friday evening! She learned & practiced her Pull Over Shoot to the point where she's very close to getting it perfectly! Only one or two more practices should do it, Paulina!
"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." - Michelangelo
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
The 1st class of last night was for all intents & purposes a Splits Intensive! Everyone warmed up, many out of lines. When it came to catches, virtually everyone threw B/E Splits! And, I estimate that we had approximately 65% returns! Still coming down from her Israel vacation, the feisty Galit E. was nice enough to throw a B/E Planche. She had Things 1 & 2 in tow. Tense-bodied Fran S. was trying to retain the breakthroughs she attained from her Club Getaway weekends. Susan the clinical psychologist changed it up a little & threw her F/E Splits.
Always safety conscious, Rebecca S. really wanted that return bar as she grabbed at it fervently. The powerful Allegra G. was looking at strong as ever as she ended off her class w/a full round trip! The positive Renee F. made a few returns & just needs to stay tight on the return bar to make round trips a regular thing. And, the ever-jovial Jen R. made another round trip (her 2nd!) w/a cool demeanor. Been there, done that, right, Jen?!
Nurse Leslie W. changed things up as she learned her B/E Straddle Whip rather easily! The even-keeled Sharron C. was back in the air after a few wks off, catching her Hox Off more smoothly than ever & working her return! French Emmanuelle C. tried slowing down the tempo of her "hollow" before making some catches w/our Manny. Fresh from her Club Getaway wkend, the focused Emily S. honed her Hox Saulto w/ever more success! And, less than 24 hrs back from Panama, the lovely Nicole S. fought to fully extend her force out before making B/E Splits & Uprise Shoot catches w/our Manny!
"If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth." - Mitsugi Saotome
Always safety conscious, Rebecca S. really wanted that return bar as she grabbed at it fervently. The powerful Allegra G. was looking at strong as ever as she ended off her class w/a full round trip! The positive Renee F. made a few returns & just needs to stay tight on the return bar to make round trips a regular thing. And, the ever-jovial Jen R. made another round trip (her 2nd!) w/a cool demeanor. Been there, done that, right, Jen?!
Nurse Leslie W. changed things up as she learned her B/E Straddle Whip rather easily! The even-keeled Sharron C. was back in the air after a few wks off, catching her Hox Off more smoothly than ever & working her return! French Emmanuelle C. tried slowing down the tempo of her "hollow" before making some catches w/our Manny. Fresh from her Club Getaway wkend, the focused Emily S. honed her Hox Saulto w/ever more success! And, less than 24 hrs back from Panama, the lovely Nicole S. fought to fully extend her force out before making B/E Splits & Uprise Shoot catches w/our Manny!
"If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth." - Mitsugi Saotome
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007, Brooklyn, NY
We started off this night w/our weekly staff training. Allyssa M. practiced her safety lines pulling as well as being a guinea pig for others. Tanya E. has gotten her B/E Splits down so well & even commands the descent to the mat/net w/perfect flatness! Newcomer Egon was introduced to the basic technique of catcher's locks before trying his hand at a F/E Straddle Whip. The industrious YK H. is looking smoother than ever w/her board work even as she hones her swing. Denise M. stopped by for a bit to work her swing, help out & go for some catches w/our Manny M.! Ami I. got a crash course in F/E flying trapeze positions before finding the tempo of her swing. And, Eli's catcher's locks were looking so good that he made he caught his 1st flyer ever! Congratulations, Eli!
High-flyer Julian B. brought in his own group of French flyers including Eloise, Simone , Catherine & Anna. I got to practice my French commands w/decent success! They even said I have a slight "Quebec" accent (no doubt from my time at Club Med & from my multilingual wife!). Our Bobby did the catching. Julian practiced his Uprise Shoot before making Splits & Straddle Whip catches! And, young Eloise made here 1st ever Knee Hang catch!
"Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living." - Anais Nin
High-flyer Julian B. brought in his own group of French flyers including Eloise, Simone , Catherine & Anna. I got to practice my French commands w/decent success! They even said I have a slight "Quebec" accent (no doubt from my time at Club Med & from my multilingual wife!). Our Bobby did the catching. Julian practiced his Uprise Shoot before making Splits & Straddle Whip catches! And, young Eloise made here 1st ever Knee Hang catch!
"Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living." - Anais Nin
Monday, August 20, 2007
Friday to Sunday, August 17 to 19, 2007, Kent, CT
I've said it before, but I'll say it again (and, I'm not exaggerating): it was an awesome weekend at Club Getaway in Kent, CT! The flyers had some breakthroughs; we got in a lot of catching; and, we had a lot of fun all the while!
At the beginning of the wkend, Jayne D. came for the day & got her swings in amidst intermittent rain & thunder.
How not to catch a flyer:
Heather W. was beautiful all around! Her Mod (back hip circle release) was looking great! She was making her Layout & Straddle Whip catches easily & beautifully. Heather got a round trip off her Layout. And, well before the weekend was over, she managed to do her 1st full round trip off her Mod!! Great flying, Heather!
The last CG wkend, Fran S. had a nice breakthrough as she learned how to sweep back deeper in her swing. This time, she not only retained that more flexed swing, but Fran had another nice breakthrough w/the timing of her apron work! You're there, Fran!
Rebecca S. was swinging out of lines again & making consistent Layout catches. She worked on her swing so much (making many improvements!) that she actually did a B/E Split sans the Split!
Feisty Galit E. was fresh back from Israel working on her B/E Splits & Mod. Despite what she says, Galit hasn't lost a step when it comes to her flying despite taking off for a month.
The strong & calm Lex R. smoothed out his swing over the course of the wkend & was looking pretty good! He also caught a few Hox Offs & got better at working his return.
The tall & earnest Max R. (son of Lex) threw & caught his Planche & Straddle Whip, 1st time pullover shoot catch!
Relative newcomer, Fran M., dusted off her F/E Whip & Pullover Shoot before being introduced to her swing! She's learning her swing rather quickly, too!
An always welcome addition, Scott S. got back into the air by catching AND returning his Uprise Shoot!
In between mid-air conversations, nurse Leslie W. honed her swing & made a few Splits catches over the weekend.
Young, intelligent, mature, beautiful Alpha girl Willa B. learned some patience w/the hollow of her swing while tuning her straddle whip.
The determined Daniela cleaned up her F/E Whip before learning & wrestling w/her F/E Planche w/growing success.
The talented Emily S. honed her Hox Off, making a few nice catches & getting close to the return bar. She was looking so good w/that trick that she started learning & having fun w/her Hox Saulto! It's looking good & she's hoping to be one of the few to ever catch this trick!
The staff also had fun this wkend! Fearless leader, Beth, made many a nice catches w/her Layout, Straddle Whip & Splits before ending off w/her Seat Roll dismount. Husband Effe's swing & bounce across are getting stronger each time I see him. This married duo performed on the silks each night for the enthralled crowd.
The coordinator of the whole wkend, Jeff L., had some fun flying & catching his Layout, Planche & Flexi before heading back to his wife, Elena, in NYC.
It was my pleasure to meet the awesome & jovial Paul R. for my 1st time. I hope to get to fly & instruct & party w/him again soon!
Canada's Joan worked the safety lines b/t teaching silks to the students. Rounding out the instructor bunch, our Bobby H. & Jason F. added fun, teaching & safety to the wkend.
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." - Annie Dillard
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