[byrdgrrl]

I did a performance to part of Adele’s song One and Only for a friend’s wedding. I concentrated on big, open poses and slow, smooth transitions. I was also using my lyra, though, so a little different. I’ll post part of the video, maybe if you want to see it anyway.

[byrdgrrl]

I had to pretty much give up on my outside silks when I moved a couple of years ago. I lost my nice sheltered spot, and the breeze made it so that I would just tire myself out chasing the tails when trying to do anything, or get tangled once I had managed to do something.

[byrdgrrl]

I have a Lyra and a climbing rope that I rig outside. It takes a little extra planning to get good conditions, but I think it’s worth it though.

[byrdgrrl]

I like rope climbing as an additional excercise. I use both a thick old-school gym rope (like in this article: http://www.apexmovement.com/blog/4-reasons-to-climb-rope/ ) with just my body and a rock climbing rope with a harness and metal ascenders to climb (jugging, in rock climber parlance). The gym rope is best for working on my grip, but even climbing with ascenders, I still have to use my arms, legs and core to progress up the rope. Plus, rope climbing is fun, so it makes me want to do it.

[byrdgrrl]

I’m another formerly home-schooled kid chiming in. I would say check your state laws first before you decide about curriculums and stuff, because there may be requirements in the law that you need to meet. For first starting out, maybe have a look at correspondence schools. These usually have a complete lesson plan and include all of the books and sometimes all of the supplies that you need for the lessons. There are also services where you can send the completed work to a teacher and have them mark it and give feedback. Also check with your school district to find out if/when they sell off their used textbooks. Often you can get a bunch really cheap. Sometimes they have used regular books from the school libraries as well.

[byrdgrrl]

I’m finally starting to consider that I just physically cannot push myself as hard during the winter when it’s cold as I can when it’s warm. I’ve tried hot showers and layers and heaters, but there’s just nothing like it being 90 degrees F out to make me feel my best. While I’m not pushing myself very hard, I do try to make sure that I’m not using the cold as an excuse to sit on my butt. I do matinence stretching and work stuff that I’m fairly comfortable. Also I just see how I’m feeling. Some times, even when it’s cold, I can bust out a pretty great workout, other days I can just get through several rounds of Sun Salutations.

[byrdgrrl]

I have a tattoo on my upper thigh, and it hides pretty well except in summer when I’m wearing shorts. Then it peeks out the bottom a little. It’s not small, though. If you want to see, one of my challenge videos, the one with the roller, shows it. Hips can also hide pretty well.

[byrdgrrl]

Ha ha, busted! ☺️ I may have been trying to push my range of motion. Thanks Lina. I will definitely pay more attention to what my quads are doing when I’m stretching and flying. I’ll try standing splits in addition to floor ones too. My knees are in good shape, so hopefully I can work this out with everyone’s advice. Thanks to everyone.

[byrdgrrl]

That was magnificent. Thanks for sharing!

[byrdgrrl]

You might want to try sports tape or athletic tape instead of electrical tape.  Sports tape is cloth based and designed not only to go on your skin, but more importantly come off your skin.  I find that it also stays in place better for me when I'm sweating. 

[byrdgrrl]

I trained in Aikido for about ten years, but unfortunately have not been able to train for the last couple of years. I also trained in karate for a while when I was younger.

[byrdgrrl]

*raises hand*  I don't do pole much anymore, but I do other aerials (mostly silk), and all my videos are pretty basic, but feel free to take a look and see if they might help your friend.  

[byrdgrrl]

Sweet. I’ve been thinking about getting a lyra. Now, how to choose?

[byrdgrrl]

Anybody taken any aerial classes at Shine?  If so, thoughts?

[byrdgrrl]

It seems to me that you could just nail along the top edge of the sheet(s) into the studs, or maybe even just thumbtacks? Never tried unfinished walls, but it works on drywall. Just make sure you use the hard part of the wall.