Up in the Air
2011 has not been an auspicious year for my hobby. First, I got sick and missed performing at the Soviet show. Then the Very Serious Circus School had Very Serious Financial Problems, so I switched schools. None of the really good teachers are teaching anymore, so classes have devolved into an open gym environment, where I work out on my own for an hour and a half, occasionally consulting with the instructor to see if something looks right. My form is far from perfect, and I can always use someone to remind me to straighten my legs and point my toes, but neither of my regular instructors at the Somewhat Less Serious Circus School have been much help when I ask them how a certain trick is done, or for help with a transition. Perhaps I am not a good student. Perhaps my frustration is very obvious. In either case, 2011 has not seen a lot of progress.
I thought about quitting. I imagined all of the free time and extra money I would suddenly have. I imagined my rapidly-expanding thighs and my rapidly-diminishing biceps and I went back to the gym.
In exchange for my persistence, I have finally made it past my plateau. I came to class on Tuesday and I did eight pretty straddle-ups in a row. Then I did straight-arm straddle-ups and a set of straddle-up beats. Then I did Paperclip and managed to balance with my toes nearly at my head, and a visiting instructor taught me a new tissu move which looks a lot like a handstand. There are still things that I did not manage to do, but I am pleased because I no longer feel stuck.
I thought about quitting. I imagined all of the free time and extra money I would suddenly have. I imagined my rapidly-expanding thighs and my rapidly-diminishing biceps and I went back to the gym.
In exchange for my persistence, I have finally made it past my plateau. I came to class on Tuesday and I did eight pretty straddle-ups in a row. Then I did straight-arm straddle-ups and a set of straddle-up beats. Then I did Paperclip and managed to balance with my toes nearly at my head, and a visiting instructor taught me a new tissu move which looks a lot like a handstand. There are still things that I did not manage to do, but I am pleased because I no longer feel stuck.