Hoop-la
So this morning I had my first go on an aerial hoop or lyra (Basically a big metal hoop about 4ft across suspended from 1 or 2 points at the top)
Until now most of my circus training has been on aerial silks with a bit of conditioning on trapeze thrown in for good measure and I was keen to see how hoop would compare.
There are certain common elements across all the aerial disciplines namely:
Strong upper body and core.
Balance
Coordination
Aerial awareness (aka how you look when you are up in the air, line, form, pointy toes etc.)
But of course each of the disciplines have their own individual challenges as well. For example silks and rope require a really strong vertical grip. This is much less important initially on trapeze and hoop as you normally have something firm and horizontal to grab on to.
For me balance was the big thing on the hoop. Holding a pose is one thing, but holding a pose on something that spins and sways with the slightest provocation is quite another! Partly this just requires getting used to. But another part is learning how to mount, move around and dismount to minimise the swinging in the first place! Once I started getting the hang of that it was much better but I still needed my teacher to stop me swinging quite a bit so I could focus on getting into the pose.
For the most part I found moving around the hoop and getting into the poses easier than on silks. Mainly because although I have a crappy vertical grip my arms are fairly strong. Holding poses was a lot more uncomforable as a metal bar is a hell of a lot less forgiving than some nice soft fabric especially on feet and back of knees! Gonna have some spectaular bruises soon :)
However really loved hoop and am really looking forward to next week. At the end of class my teacher asked if I wanted a free lesson because she is shooting a teaching video and needs some students! Answer: Hell yes! .... Watch this space :)
Until now most of my circus training has been on aerial silks with a bit of conditioning on trapeze thrown in for good measure and I was keen to see how hoop would compare.
There are certain common elements across all the aerial disciplines namely:
Strong upper body and core.
Balance
Coordination
Aerial awareness (aka how you look when you are up in the air, line, form, pointy toes etc.)
But of course each of the disciplines have their own individual challenges as well. For example silks and rope require a really strong vertical grip. This is much less important initially on trapeze and hoop as you normally have something firm and horizontal to grab on to.
For me balance was the big thing on the hoop. Holding a pose is one thing, but holding a pose on something that spins and sways with the slightest provocation is quite another! Partly this just requires getting used to. But another part is learning how to mount, move around and dismount to minimise the swinging in the first place! Once I started getting the hang of that it was much better but I still needed my teacher to stop me swinging quite a bit so I could focus on getting into the pose.
For the most part I found moving around the hoop and getting into the poses easier than on silks. Mainly because although I have a crappy vertical grip my arms are fairly strong. Holding poses was a lot more uncomforable as a metal bar is a hell of a lot less forgiving than some nice soft fabric especially on feet and back of knees! Gonna have some spectaular bruises soon :)
However really loved hoop and am really looking forward to next week. At the end of class my teacher asked if I wanted a free lesson because she is shooting a teaching video and needs some students! Answer: Hell yes! .... Watch this space :)
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