Trapeze School New York (in Washington DC) - Wirk du Soleil

Last night, I finally pulled the trigger and took my first class at Trapeze School New York (in Washington, DC).  I had been wanting to take a class for some time now...  Now, I'll be honest.  I like watching sports, but I really haven't been active for many years.  Luckily for me, I do have coordination and natural aptitude for athletics!

****  It's not as if I was signing up for some sort of pull-up/push-up/sit-up challenge. 

I went into the class hoping that I wouldn't be afraid to "get off the board" and only wanting to do a few swings.  I think my expectations were quite reasonable.

I was greeted by two instructors: Will and Brian.  Will put the safetly belt on me and walked through a quick demonstration of the calls and what I should do when the calls were made.  Timing is everything.  He stressed the importance of doing the steps when they were called out (i.e. not to anticipate and/or wait).  The quick training was just what I needed.  I wanted to fly!

I attached the hooks to my belt and up the ladder I climbed, when it was my turn.  Up on top, I met Colin.  Colin held unhooked me.  Attached some other safetly lines to my belt, told me where to hold on with my left arm, brought the bar to me (i.e. so I could grab it with my right hand), and held on so I could wait for the calls to bend my knees and GO!

What an experience!  I had about 6-7 turns in a class that had about 10 participants at different levels.  I didn't feel bad at all as a beginner, since everyone was working on their own tricks and skills.

What goes up must come down, but by the end of the night I was able to do a backflip off the bar before landing!!!  That's right, folks.  I was able to do a backflip and I did it TWICE.

Don't believe me?!?! Check out the video.




Trapeze school was a great experience and yes, I'll be going back.  I think I'm going to work towards a catch and maybe add another trick.  Brian mentioned something about a heel hang and I watched the video a couple of times, and I think I can do it.  Plus, he said that my last turn was my best turn and that I had "catchable timing".  Yes, my progress and his critique motivated me to book another class.  If I'm that close, I definitely have to go for the catch.  Plus, I need a back-up plan, just in case this whole career thing in business gets tiring, and I decide I want to join the circus!

OK, now for the nitty gritty: Class was $51 and there was a one-time registration fee of $20.  If you sign up for your next class before you leave, you get a 3rd class free.  The pictures with the flash drive were about $35 plus tax, and I had one of the other students film the video for me for free.

THE WIRK