The one about that time I flew through the air with the (not so) greatest of ease.
Last week my sister and I attended an outdoor trapeze class from the Fly School Circus Arts, a part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Of the list of things I would say I wanted to do, flying through the air wasn’t at the top. It’s not that I am afraid of heights, it’s just that the view I usually have of trapeze work is seated ground level with both feet comfortably on the ground.
I was advised to wear comfortable clothes and socks or bare feet. Once we arrived at the school, located at 313 S. Broad Street (across the street from the Kimmel Center) we were greeted by Mary Kelly and given an overview of the class. Mary Kelly and the staff outfitted us with belts (safety first!) and we were thrust into the world of circus arts.
We were each given a chance to try out the moves we would learn in the air while still on the ground. A mini lesson taught by Katrina gave us our goals for the day: we would each go up three times and as we went up we would practice hanging upside down on the trapeze, hooking our knees and letting our arms hang (!) and a back flip.
Practicing on the ground made me question my sanity. I could barely hold myself up, let alone do a flip! When I was able to do the flip, while it wasn’t the most graceful and I started to let the self doubt creep in but other members of the class cheered me on and I kept at it.
Once it was time to take the show to the air I got a huge case of the butterflies. The children attending the class fearlessly scampered up the ladder and seemed to bounce as they waited for their turn. When I began the climb it seemed as if the ladder became longer and thinner. Suddenly I was aware of the wind blowing and I felt as if the safety belt around my waist was too small. I continued up because climbing back down didn’t seem like an option and once up on the platform I clung to the ladder as I waited for instruction. At the top I met with Ben who encouraged me up the ladder and made cracks and jokes to ease my mind but once it was time for me to let go of the ladder I froze. The small platform that I stood on seemed to shrink beneath my feet and I felt like I could not move. My heart raced, tears flowed from my face and my legs would not move. Katrina and Ben talked me through the moves and suddenly I was grabbing the pole, hopping off of the platform and I WAS FLYING!
My first flight was a blur. I can remember thinking that I needed to do more upper body work at the gym, that the air was rushing through my hair, that this was scary and awesome and frightening and exhilarating all at once. I let go and was safely in the net being coached to a ladder to get me down.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Aversa PR |
What a thrill!
What a rush!
What a wonderful feeling!
Any thoughts of how easy it was to do trapeze arts has gone away. Not only does it take physical strength, it also takes a mental strength to go up in the air and allow a stranger to help you fly twenty five (or so) feet off of the ground.
The next few times were not quite as dramatic. I was able to go up the ladder easier and didn’t freeze (as much) during my hops off of the platform. I would recommend this class for anyone who wants to try something out of their comfort zone, for anyone who has dreamed of flying for anyone who has dreamed of being a stunt double (oh wait, that’s me). As scary as that first try was the excitement, the feeling of accomplishment and the idea that *I*, Rachee Fagg the scared, did something that was so out of my norm…and lived to tell the tale!
Now, if you go:
- Classes are being offered all month long for anyone ages six (6) and older.
- A two hour class if $55.
- Wear comfortable clothes, socks and shoes that can be slipped on and off easily. The school is located in an outdoor lot and while there was a covering on most areas there are areas that are full of rocks.
- Go with a friend. It was great to have someone encouraging me as I made my way up the ladder, through the air and waited.
- You do not have to be a certain size. I worried that I was too fat to fly yet I was able to swing my legs and do the most basic moves.
- Have fun! The classes are only here for a month and you want to take advantage of this class while you can.
Read more adventures in trapeze
Mrs RKFJ Defies Gravity
Heather from Real: The Kitchen and Beyond Flies through fear
Disclosure: I was given complimentary tickets to the flying school through Aversa PR. The experience is totally mine.
No Comments