Unexpected progress

I've spent years remembering old trapeze classes, thinking about all the amazing moves my classmates learned while I floundered.  My new-found strength has given me the confidence to try and tackle all those moves and this week in class I was putting in work for some of the new moves on my list: 'off at the back', skinning the cat to one arm hang, plus little attempts at toe hang, heel hang and mill circles for a laugh.

My teacher saw me doing very little as I tried to get my confidence together to try 'off at the back'.  She broke it down for me, explained what my body should be doing and then blew me away with a demonstration that had such control and clarity of movement.  Suddenly I could see a way of doing it without smashing my face in or pulling my arms out of their sockets.  Love her!

Starting on a low bar, I gave it a try following her tips and advice.  It worked first time!  Of course this move requires a fairly high bar so I wasn't finished yet.  I moved to a medium height bar and tried again.  Success!  So  I moved to the bar that was the right height for this and did up and over, scary pause and mental preparation, then off at the back.  Wheeeeeee!

I felt like I needed to throw a party to celebrate.  I mean, it's no perfect and beautiful move right now, but technically I know I have the ability to do it.  Yay!  Think of it like setting a new personal best at something you've struggled to progress in for years.

Revised homework list: 

Category 1 - Bring it on (stuff I can probably do with teaching and practice)

• Hocks on the rope
• Knee balance to death roll
• Backward roll to ankles
• Skinning the cat to one arm hang
• Rotation out of double nappies
• Crucifix to up and over

Category 2 - I wish (stuff I've tried before and never been able to do)

• Toe hang
• Heel hang
• Mill circles
• Knee leanout to ankles

Category 3 - Yeah right  (stuff that looks really hard and probably out of my league)

• Neck hang 
• Crucifix beat to hocks
• Armpits spin (don't know the actual name)

"Crucifix to up and over", you've just been promoted!