The Greatest Show on Earth

I have been asked to explain more about circus school. Circus school was awesome. It sounded pretty weird and when we first got there and met our instructors (who were total Carnies by the way), I was thinking, "what in the world am I doing?" But it was great. There were around 25 people from my law firm who went to to learn to tumble, juggle, tight-rope walk, build human pyramids, do stunts on trampolines, and of course, to perform on the flying trapeze. We broke into smaller groups of around 8 and rotated through the different skills. I actually juggled three balls for a total of maybe 15-20 seconds which was astonishing. I learned that I have mad tight-rope walking skills (coincidentally, the same balance required for tight-rope walking also transfers over to surfing).


The Flying-Trapeze was the highlight though, of course. First we were trained on proper technique while on the ground. (I am wearing red and blue and standing with my hands on my hips in the you-can't-really-expect-me-to-believe-this-will-work pose).

Then we climbed up, up, and up to the platform at the top of the gym. We were told to grab the bar with one hand, steady ourselves, then reach way out with the other hand while our instructor held us by the harness attached to our waists. Then the carni says "READY?!" (at which point you bend your knees in preparation to jump), then "HEP!" and you jump off the platform, arching your back and pointing your toes.
I know this picture is blurry, but believe me, I have great form. But I screamed the whole way.

Just after this point in the jump, you lift your legs up and over the bar, using the momentum of the swing, then release your hands and swing by your legs. After swinging back and forth twice, you reach for the bar again, release the legs, arch the back, then let go and fall into the net.

It is absolutely exhilirating and I think that everybody should try it. One of my friends from work liked it so much that she went back the next day and signed up for trapeze lessons for the rest of the summer. I expect to see her under the big-top soon!