How does one prepare for running away to the circus? Mentally? Physically? I had done neither of these and yet Tuesday afternoon I found myself standing on the edge of a platform about to jump off…. I was to be the trapeze artist in this circus.
It started with a comment – ‘That would be fun!’ – when I saw a video of an after school activity at a private school here. Yes, rather than just netball or swimming kids here can learn the trapeze. The lesson here…be careful what you wish for!
The trapeze is permanently set up at school, not only for the kids, but for the adults as well. I joined in on the adult class. I figured I would have a couple of swings and maybe jump off at the end… The first words that were uttered from my instructor were ‘Hayley, this is the trick you will be doing.’ Trick? TRICK?? Apparently I was to perform a knee-hang and backflip…What the?
I have to say, I have so much appreciation for the people that do trapeze. It is hard on your body! Hanging there I thought my arms would fall off…and this was before I stepped off the platform! But after a dodgy start and 2 face plants into the net, I did it. It was a great feeling! If my body didn’t ache so much today I would definitely be off to join the circus…
The trapeze is permanently set up at school, not only for the kids, but for the adults as well. I joined in on the adult class. I figured I would have a couple of swings and maybe jump off at the end… The first words that were uttered from my instructor were ‘Hayley, this is the trick you will be doing.’ Trick? TRICK?? Apparently I was to perform a knee-hang and backflip…What the?
I have to say, I have so much appreciation for the people that do trapeze. It is hard on your body! Hanging there I thought my arms would fall off…and this was before I stepped off the platform! But after a dodgy start and 2 face plants into the net, I did it. It was a great feeling! If my body didn’t ache so much today I would definitely be off to join the circus…
Thank you SO MUCH to my PHBGTU friends who made this possible for me 🙂
I may have been a little excited to get started!
Making my way up…
Preparing to take my first swing
Watching a disaster unfold!
About to face plant…
But eventually I got the dismount
Officially a trapeze artist!
** All photos courtesy of Cari Banana
