Lyra Fundamentals

So...Lyra. I'm in a once a week, beginner class for eight weeks, meets on Tuesdays. I've had two classes yet, plus that mini free first class. It's just not enough, yo. I need more. So I signed up for fundamentals on Saturdays.

I was a bit anxious, would this be too much for me? And at first, the warm-up seemed to be. I had to take deep breaths as she was explaining, trying to calm my brain from the bubbling panic that this was a bad idea, a very bad idea indeed. She modified the warm-up for me and what I could do, and things were better. Dead hang shoulder shrugs. I can only do about 3 or 4 at a time yet.

Then we worked on what's call ball inversion. I'm sitting in the hoop and lean back so that my knees are over the hoop and keep sliding back until I'm dangling by my knees. I was using a very low mounted rig so by the time I leaned back completely, my upper shoulders were resting on the floor. So...almost a hocks hang.

The purpose is to then grab the hoop and hoist yourself back up. I wish I had a bit of video of this. I was able to do it, we did 3 rounds of it for practice, and I was able to do it each time. Sharing a rig with three other students, it was slow going. It's hard AF and a bit scary. Once you get your hands up to around 3 and 9 o'clock on the hoop, you extend your legs straight, and that acts like a lever to pull yourself into the hoop without a lot more upper body effort.

The teacher was split between some more advanced students and a few lesser advanced students, so there was some standing around time. The next move we worked on was man in the moon with scissor leg (or cross legs, as they called it, but I had no idea how to visualize that until I saw it). And that was all we worked on, in 90 mins. The warm-up took much longer than my beginner class does. And the stretching after. I'm hoping we work on more variety next class. Or I could just be patient. Novel concept.

I was told to not quite yet leg go in this position, something for next week. I had a moment where I thought, I could just let go, make this pretty, but I'm a good lil student, rule abider, and so I didn't.

And oh, the bruises! I have outer thigh bruises from mermaid on Tuesday. Inner thigh bruises from star. And now I have these little polka dot bruises on the backs of my knees. They match well with the bruises on my upper arms from roller derby. And some weird shin bruises, not quite sure where I got those. Derby or Lyra?

Mermaid

Had my second beginner class of Lyra last night. (well, I guess technically third, the first class was that mini half hour free open house class)

We worked on man in the moon again and also star. Then we learned mermaid and perch, but perch was one I had worked on in that mini class.

Mermaid was TOUGH. I was trying to angle to the right, holding on with my left hand, and I was just unable to get around, over that tendon or whatever in your outer thigh that HURTS if you try to rest on it. Teacher warned us to roll over quickly or it would hurt. And it did, but I couldn't quite get all the way over, so it would just hurt, and I'd have to come out of it. It was a little upsetting at first, feeling like a failure. Then I tried the other side, thinking, everyone has a good side and a bad side. I was able to better get into position the other way. It still kind of hurt, but then I got more on my quad, and I was OK. I still feel like this skill needs work, don't they all? I need to be more on my belly almost.

I asked about taking a second class per week, signing up for fundamentals. This beginner class is one hour and only lasts 8 weeks. The fundamentals class is simply ongoing and is 90 minutes. She basically said, sure I could, there might be some overlap of skills, if I don't mind that. I dunno. I'm weird. I wasn't getting a vibe from her saying, SURE you're absolutely ready, do it! Maybe I just expect too much from people.

Anyway, here I am. I did better to remember to keep my leg straight and engaged in star.

Positivity

Practice last night was the best I've had in a long time. And I mean, a long time. I felt like something had changed a bit. Coach was being way positive with everyone, pointing out the things they did well, even me. Teammates were trying to be positive with others. And I felt this clicking where I just kept doing well, kept getting hi-fives, everyone else seemed to be feeling the positivity, too.

This is what I want for this team. I know mistakes happen, and they need to be corrected. But just think how much more amazing we'd become if we were shown all the things we do well, rather than all the things we fuck up? The motivation that comes with positive reinforcement really can't be beat.

We have a bout on Sunday. My first HOME bout. With my very own jersey. I'm excited and nervous. I might even go to the after party to celebrate with the team. I don't care if we win or lose. I'm finally playing derby. I'm finally having moments on the track where I'm super effective. Am I still a shit show sometimes, yea. Am I still hella anxious at the very idea of taking the jammer panty, fuck yea. Am I still feeling weird and excluded by most members of the team, definitely yea.

But I'm a derby skater. No one can take that away from me. I finally did it. After all these years.

Beginner Lyra

Lyra! Man in the moon again plus a new move called Star. I need to remember to straighten my leg, looks a little sloppy. Holding on with only one hand is a bit scary, too. My hands are raw and sting a bit, can't wait for callouses to develop. Just like my feet from derby.

Hoop Choreo

I finally brought the camera out with me. I've been hooping a lot lately, working on my flow, also working on a bit of cute choreography. And finally got it to video, after a few false starts. I swear, once my mind knows the camera's rolling, I become an even bigger klutz.

p.s. Aerial Hoop beginner class starts next Tuesday. It's an eight week course. I'm stupid excited. Hopefully I have some pics and video to share.