Cat-Burglar

Slackline is so hard! I can't even stand on it. One of my friends did a back flip on one and messed up the landing. Cracked his lower back open. Said he would wake up bleeding randomly for months after that. gahhh. You can actually see him on it in the background of this weird local news story of the gym. They cut where he flips off of it, but they do show an awesome wall run backflip he does. Also check Erica do a backwards flip lache to a bar behind her. It's superhuman! Oddly, I was there that day standing behind the fabric, but you can't see any of us. http://www.youtube.com/user/ApexMovement#p/u/10/eWyHx6K4mw4

That's good news. It's a nice addition.

This week is a little complicated. My husband took a job that is causing us too live apart for a little while, which is really tough, but it's only temporary. He was in town visiting this week so I was understandably not so focused on my goals. I managed to get both my aerial workouts in though. Got most of my routine choreographed which is a HUGE relief. Didn't get as much of my running or walking in, but we did take a nice long walk together and I got a few pull-ups in. French just didn't happen, but I made some progress on the show poster design earlier in the week. Despite all the going out and celebrating I did surprisingly well on my diet. I just started my period so my measurements and weight are gonna be waaay off, but it seems like I've continued to stay on track. It looks as if I'm even down a few inches in my measurements even though my weight is fluctuating like crazy. People are really starting to notice. Someone even yelled off the street that i was "hotter than a new set of snow tires." So there's some motivation! Just gonna keep plugging along one week at a time!

Ha Darkstar. It's fun to have someone around with similar interests! Ahh broad jump burpies. I have a great love for those. The guy in the video demoing that has a sick jump. It's just stupid far. I think he probably was the one who taught me those. As a side note he just competed in Japan for American Ninja Warrior. Those Plyo Pushups are a bitch too.

The challenge is going well. The shoulder is feeling strong, but I'm not pushing it. I'm back to about 3 pull-ups which is awesome! I'm feeling good about doing the show. I need to work my French more often. I did some, but probably not the three I was aiming for. I started working on the Superhero poster so that's good. I was really run down and tired last week so I didn't do much running, but I'm kinda ok with that. I got the walking in. Diet has been great. Not nearly as challenging as I anticipated. I've been really enjoying it actually. It's the first time I've really started cooking for myself. I usually just have to do the salad bar at work and that gets a little boring, but there is enough variety there that it keeps me going. Plus I've really been getting leaner. Which is awesome. So that's where I'm at.

I wouldn't be so quick thinking aerial won't build the grip strength. I've done both aerial and parkour and aerial will build more grip strength than you will ever need in parkour. That said you probably won't build the explosive strength required for parkour from either, but it definitely helps. Do whatever you find more interesting which sounds like aerial. Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Oh and keep me posted on aerial. I hope you have a great time. Fabric is my worst apparatus, but everyone has one that suits them. Most people really love fabric, but trapeze is my baby.

I'm gonna try this and see if it helps. I knew my description was horrible. Hope these photos help. I'm not stretched out or anything and these were just taken with the self timer on my phone. Please let me know if this helps clarify. Deep runners lunge on the toes. Then with the foot flat. You should feel these in the upper part of the quad. Lean back on the knee and stretch the front leg. Then try and work a front split.

The problem with the shoulder is called shoulder instability. The ligaments become loose causing he shoulder to partially dislocate under certain kinds of stress. Particularly hanging motions. I've had it in the past, but it goes away when I build up enough muscle in the shoulder. I think when I took my break I lost some of the muscle protecting it. I'm planning on seeing a professional about it, but for now I've been doing open gyms on the low trapeze where I can limit motion, take it slow, and rebuild some muscle. I'm not sure if I'll make the show, but the shoulder is the important thing to take care of. It has been going well though. The stretching has been great. I'm not sure if it's just really hot in the gym, but I've been pretty limber lately. Still not in a split, but I've found stretching my hip flexor helps even though I don't feel it when I work splits directly. Go figure. There is also a great sequence that I wish I had more time to explain. Maybe I'll post it later, but its basically a deep runners lunge on the toes, then straighten the leg with the toes pointed getting deeper into the stretch, then dropping your knee and leaning back on it to stretch your front leg in a hamstring stretch. Then you go for your front split. Not sure that makes any sense. I'll try to post some pics so it's clearer. How are you doing darkstar?

My week went really well actually. I'm really pleased with it. I started changing my diet two weeks ago and I'm down about 3.5 lbs with about an inch and a half off of most of my measurements. I got pretty much everything in with the exception of one run/walk and I missed a day of French practice so I did two sessions on Sunday. Not ideal, but not terrible. Probably had more drinks this weekend than I should have, but that isn't major goal of mine for this challenge. I've been taking it easy on the shoulder. I'm doing aerial tonight, but just open gym on the low trap so I can build some strength and practice some moves. I hope no one is discouraged cause they didn't meet all their goals this week. It's all about making changes in the right direction and changing habits. Anything toward your goal is progress! Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Hey Dio. I'm actually gonna do an acrobalance workshop this weekend if my shoulder is up for it. My friend who teaches the aerial stuff just got back from this awesome trip to Israel as a part of this social circus project. They try to bring together kids from different backgrounds through circus arts. Are your friends involved in any of that stuff? I could probably give you info on it if they're interested. There's a little description here http://cat-burglars.com/uncategorized/heather-saves-the-world/ (I made the poster for it ). A friend of mine from the parkour gym here in Denver is into fire-swinging. If you ever make it out to Denver in the summers there is an ongoing fire event by the river throughout the summer. I don't think it's really an official thing, but tons of people show up for it. That flexibility story makes me cringe just reading it. OUCH.

I ran the Warrior Dash in Colorado a few weeks ago. So much fun. You're gonna love it!

Thanks. I really like that picture too!

Wow your instructor sounds really intense! I'm glad you enjoyed it though. It's amazing fun and if you can already climb you've got a better start than I did. Even the pilates instructor in our class has trouble with some of the upper body strength. lt's a really different experience lifting your own body weight if you're not used to it. The truth about aerial is that it all hurts. I'm in a constant state of bruises and peeling callouses. The most common look of students in my class working on a new move is surprise followed by swearing. The good news it that it gets better. I think your nerve endings just die, they grow back if you don't keep at it, but it just doesn't hurt after a while. Lots of times I'm strong enough to do a move, but I have to just get into position a few weeks in a row and get the area (especially the tops of my feet) used to taking the weight. Otherwise, it's just too painful. If my callouses aren't built up properly, like now, my hand feel like shredded beef at the end of class. Once again it gets better. Unitards are your friend. I know it seems silly, but trust me. The first time you try to slide your back down the bar and it lifts your shirt up you'll realize skin contact with the equipment can leave you with a nasty burn. I usually wear a unitard with a t-shirt and some booty shorts. Its so comfortable I don't even like to take it off when I get home. I really love your write up of your experience. It sounds a lot of how I felt when I started doing parkour. I wrote it up on my blog here if you're interested http://cat-burglars.com/uncategorized/ode-to-the-untalented/#more-150. Keep us updated on how it's going!

Thanks for the support everyone. I've had it act up before, but its always been intermittent and when I gain enough strength it goes away. I thought it would be the case this time, but I've hurt it three weeks in a row and it's pretty sore this time. I'll be icing it and doing some exercises that a friend gave to me. She's a pilates instructor and does a lot of rehab work. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/265.html These are pretty close to what she gave me. Done with very light weights. I didn't give a time on stretching just cause it can vary so much. If it's active stretching I'll maybe spend 20mins. If it's passive maybe I'll spend 15mins on one stretch. I generally do it til it feels done. My problem is remembering to do it. Even if it's just a short time. As for the aerial superhero show...My friend owns a studio called Miraas Aerial where she teaches static trapeze, fabric, and lyra. The kind of stuff you would see in Cirque du Soleil. Every 6 months or so she rents a theater and puts on a student show. This is our 4th show and the theme is superheros/fantasy/sci-fi. I'm planning on doing Doctor Who if my shoulder holds up. I do all of her marketing materials so that's why one of my goals is to work on the illustration for the poster.

So I really did a number on my rotator cuff yesterday on the trapeze. Might put it out of commission for a bit while I let it heal. I'm hoping it wont completely put me out of aerial before the show, but who knows. I'm not gonna let it discourage me from other goals! One leg squats and tuck jumps I will dominate you!! If you want a place with some pretty great inspirational videos check out http://www.facebook.com/movemental Movemental is a parkour clothing company my friends run. They post all sorts of crazy inspirational vids on facebook.

So I have a superhero aerial show coming up in October that I want to get ready for after a month and a half of time off. Unfortunately, I also injured my shoulder yesterday:( So I'm trying take that into account, but not get discouraged. I'll keep going on other goals even if the shoulder puts me out of the show. Objectives Increase FlexibilityIncrease Strength Decrease body fat percentageMaintain a healthy dietActions A minimum of 10min stretch after runsStretching at least 4-5 a weekRotator cuff exercises and ice treatment dailyAerial class a minimum of once a week depending on shoulder condition (if it is bad than substitute rest or open gym where I can work around it).3 mile walk or run 3 times a weekPull ups if shoulder is cooperating (I'd like to be back to my pre-break amount of 3-5)5 straddle backs on the fabric without touching the floorWalking lungesPush upsTuck jumpsHand stand (once again depending on state of injury)Diet Modified Paleo (Still including some protein shakes, lentils, beans, moderate amounts of alcohol) This is already a huge change for me so one step at a time. I'm also including a Friday "cheat day" Not a crazy binge day, but just something to satisfy cravings and keep strict the rest of the week. I've already been doing it about 2 weeks and it's been fantastic! Personal Goals Work on my French 3 times a weekFinish draft of web projectStart aerial poster illustrationWrite up 6 week experience for Cat-burglars.comAll measurements and starter photos taken for comparison at the end of the challenge. Let's do this thing!!

You're gonna love it, but fair warning, you will bruised in a way that looks like you're being beaten with sticks every night. I'm actually proud of my really bad ones, but it starts to feel a little like I'm in a fight club when I go to work. It's awesome though. @Dio You totally should! What kind of circus stuff are you looking to get into? I always hate when people say to me is they'll do parkour/aerial/whatever when they "get in shape." You'll get in shape when you do it! So what if you struggle or if it's hard when you start you're learning!

Demon Drills by Ryan Ford are pretty good too. http://www.youtube.com/user/DemonDrills There's stuff in there for all levels, but a few of them are pretty sick. Everything is easy to do outside. No gym required.

No worries. I used to teach and perform Lindyhop and I pulled it doing a split. That was years and years ago. Just never been right since. There is a great hamstring stretch if you have a partner. Lay on the floor with both legs out. Lift one leg up at about 90 degrees from the floor. Have a partner give light resistance on the back of your leg as you push against them toward the floor. You're leg shouldn't be going anywhere, just resisting. Do that for about 20 seconds and then have your partner //gently// push your leg toward your head as far is comfortable. Hold for another 20 seconds. Then from that point push against your partner again for another 20 seconds. If you can get through 3 rounds (round 3 is kinda a bitch) you've probably doubled from your starting point. It's kinda cool. Just be careful! Laying against a wall and letting your legs fall as far down as possible letting gravity take them. Occasionally try to push them a little futher. Do it for 5 mins and you'll probably need some help getting up. Runners Lunge is good. So are side lunges. Generally alternating an active stretch to an active one is helpful in getting deeper into it. Also getting the muscles nice and warm before hand. Stretching after a good workout can be the best time. Have you had a full split before or is this a new goal?

I'd be in too. I'd love to have a full split again before the next aerial performance. I have a lingering injury on my right inner thigh that makes it hard to stretch out. It does limber up eventually, but it takes so much effort to get it there I usually just quit. Any particular stretches you're planning on using to get there?

Thanks for posting. It's an interesting point. I've always thought the sister on Dexter seemed way too skinny to play the 'tough cop' role. I hate that whole skinny girl in heels and make up cop trope. It really kills the credibility for me. I would love to see more Starbuck type characters out there.

Anyone else into aerial dance. It's really fun and I've never seen a group of women get so strong so fast! So how bout it? Where my aerialists at?

I agree with this list completely. I would also add Kingdom Come and Sandman. Batman No Mans land was fun too. Other than that it's a perfect list.

Thanks. I'm such a Who nerd it's not even funny. I have my own remote controlled K9. I'll actually be performing as the good Doctor at an aerial show in October. Maybe I'll link a video when the time comes. Really wishing I hadn't spelled the thread title wrong. I just noticed the typo and I feel like a moron.