One of my least favorite things is when people hear one detail about my life and go, “Oh! Like Sex and the City!”
Yes, I’m a woman in NYC. I’ve dated guys in NYC. I’ve even written about dating guys in NYC.
But my life is nothing like Sex and the City.
My neighborhood isn’t glamorous or within high heel hobbling distance of the trendiest restaurants or clubs. In fact my shoes are disappointingly practical, and I take the subway.
And Carrie, I couldn’t help but wonder…why you always say “I couldn’t help but wonder…”
The one thing I ever saw on Sex and the City that I knew I had to do someday was take a trapeze lesson.
I can’t remember why Carrie Bradshaw took a trapeze lesson, but I can imagine the puns that came out of the experience.
Note to self: Do not blog anything like “All I had to do was trust myself and let go.” Or “I was ready to take flight.”
That show killed the obvious wordplay dreams of millions.
So I took a trapeze class, because I’ve wanted to for awhile. Probably since I attended the circus as a kid. I once fell on my head when I attempted to hang off my backyard swingset. By my ankles.
Because a muscled professional in a leotard could do it. Why not me?
Originally, I was supposed to go to trapeze class in a group, but no one wanted to pay the $47.50 to jump off a platform and hang upside down.
Hello. This is why I earn money.
I went to the Streb Lab for Action Mechanics (S.L.A.M.) in Williamsburg on Saturday. That’s how much I wanted to take this class - I went to Brooklyn. This doesn’t happen often.
Walking amongst the hipsters, I was surprisingly charmed by the graffiti and sidewalk sales and angst. I think it’s inner peace. Or maybe the humidity.
At the S.L.A.M. entrance, I signed a waiver. I chatted with the three instructors I’d be working with and waited for the other people taking the class. We ended up being a group of six, four women and two men. Only one woman had previously taken a class.
First, we each practiced hanging from a low bar we had to jump to catch. From there we had to swing our legs, bring the backs of our knees to the bar, let our hands go, and hang upside down.
I hadn’t done this since I was in Boston in January, but no sweat.
So that was practice. Then we had to put on corset-like safety belts that we’d hook to our trapeze safety harness. Time to do what we just did, except twenty feet in the air!
Uh… Yikes?
I was the third to go, and the two people before did well. The eternal A+ student in me got competitive. I wanted to be the best person in trapeze class.
I was fine as I climbed the ladder to the platform. Fine as I dusted my hands with chalk.
Then I was in position and holding onto the bar. Feeling really breakable.
I was not fine.
No, I’m not afraid of heights. Yes, I knew there was a safety harness, but upper body strength is not something I have going for me. (I should mention that the safety harness may be there, but you don’t feel it, and it doesn’t do anything to help you complete your trapeze action).
I jumped after the instructor’s second “Hep!” and completely forgot to follow the instructions of the one handling the harness from below.
I also may have forgotten to breathe. The first try was pretty scary for me.
As it was happening, I was disappointed in myself. Trapeze looks like fun; it should have been fun. But I swung my legs and let go. That was it.
Fortunately, the instructors spoke to me about confidence and listening. The girl after me also struggled to jump off the platform, so I wasn’t alone. Everyone was really supportive.
My hands had just stopped shaking when I went up a second time.
I climbed to the platform, reapplied chalk, opened my ears, and turned off my head. Mainly those voices that say, “You’re so high up! Can you handle this? What if you screw up again?”
I heard “Hep!” and jumped. I kept my legs back until I was told to bring my knees to the bar, hurry, hurry. Then I tucked my knees and let my hands go, arching my back. Somehow, the upside-down part was the easiest for me.
At the end, I swung my legs and let go right when the instructor said, landing in a dizzying back flip.
I was elated.
Everyone in class - regardless of size or fitness level - managed to do this. It was amazing.
In the end, we all performed catches with another instructor hanging upside down from another bar. Basically, we hung upside down, grabbed the instructor’s hands at the right time, and unhooked our knees. Off our bar, we kicked our legs, let go, and fell on the mat.
It took a few sentences to explain that, but trapeze happens so quickly. Looking at the pictures, I’m shocked at how calm I look. How was the camera even able to capture my movement?
After trapeze class and heartfelt expressions of thanks to everyone there, I walked through Williamsburg high on life. It feels so good to conquer something that scares you a little. For me, I think it’s even better when it’s a physical feat, as I was always the last picked in gym class.
Trapeze calls for a strong mind and body. In the end, I felt I had both. I’d stopped caring if I was the best at letting go and swinging. I just focused on each of my steps up, down, and up again.
It was the smartest thing I’ve done in awhile.
Optional cheesy ending: And “I couldn’t help but wonder” when I’d get to do it again.
I love this post.
I can really related to the ‘It feels so good to conquer something that scares you a little’ feeling.
As a kid i was nervous of loads of stuff and had never done a zip wire. But this weekend I went to Go Ape in England (google it) and just didnt think about being scared.
three hours of crossing obstacles suspended high in the trees and four zip wires later I couldnt wait to step off the edge!
Now Im on a roll and plan to have a go at overcoming my other fears.
go to brooklyn more often and try getting some B+’s sometime
both might add years to your life
Hi, Ang. Good for you! I want to try zip lining soon, too.
What’s your next fear to overcome? I know mine should be water. I can barely swim, but just thinking of taking lessons fills me with dread.
Right on, younotme. I’m not a snob about not going to Brooklyn — I just don’t make it out there a lot. I may be taking exercise classes there soon, though.
Perfectionism is something I’ve learned to drop in many areas of my life, though I still have much room for improvement.
You sound like a terrible person and have more in common with SATC than you are admitting.
‘Walking amongst the hipsters, I was surprisingly charmed by the graffiti and sidewalk sales and angst.’
If by “terrible person” you mean “flippant about moneyed hipsters in Brooklyn,” you’re right.
I think you are trying to drive your dad crazy. And most days thats a short drive.
My next fear is open water. I’m terrified of the sea and lakes and what might be lurking in them.
I’ve joined a triathlon club, full of people who do this everyday and I’m working on my
Freestyle. Hoping to join the open water sessions next spring.
My plan is to overcome as many fears as possible before I have kids. Don’t want to pass any of my rubbish on. Lifes had enough.
Good luck with your swimming. You’ll feel amazing when you’ve done it.
Ya! Tell those hipsters Amanda!
Ang, I’m with you on overcoming fears before becoming a parent. You have to be your best version of yourself.
Abdul F! How goes it?
How can someone judge you as a “terrible person” based off a blog?! *sigh*