I’m asked all the time – ALL THE TIME – about how to get better.

“What can I do to get stronger?”

“Is there a potion I can take for straight legged inversions?”

“How do I up my game in _________ (silks, trapeze, handstands, vogueing, etc)?”

To be fair, there are LOTS of good answers to these questions, but the best one is….. Are you ready? Seriously – I could get killed for revealing this Super Mysterious Training Secret……. Can you handle it?……. Drumroll please……..

SHOW UP. 

That’s it. Show up. Show up for your classes, show up for your training. Show up.

I know, I know, you wanted some sweet little bullet pointed list (5 Ways to Be More Awesome in Silks Class! 4 Things You can do RIGHT NOW to Get a Better Split!), but really, the most important thing is physically showing up.

What Does it Mean to Show Up?

It means exactly what you think it means, plus a little more (here’s where I break out that deeply satisfying bullet pointed list!).

• Sign up! Get to class at least once a week as a newbie beginner, more if you’re movin’ on up. The newer you are, the harder it is to take breaks without losing progress, so try to be consistent.
• Warm up. Before you take class or train, try to arrive early to warm up your creaky bits. You gotta prime your muscles, lube your joints, and say hey to your body. Sometimes, it does not want to talk to you.
• Be fully present. Are you checking Instagram during class? That is not fully present. If your coach has structured class in a way that isn’t keeping you engaged, or if there are long stretches between turns, bring homework! I keep a list of exercises for body parts that need some extra love, and go through them while I wait. Keeps me engaged and productive.
  • Conditioning
  • PT (physical therapy)
  • Line work (that foot ain’t gonna point itself)
• Take notes on paper (as opposed to on a device). Include corrections, goals, new moves, technique tips, observations, exercises, etc. If the class is too fast-paced to write stuff down, take 10 minutes after class to scribble the gist of it.

Start with one class per week. When you can get through that without feeling like you’ve been beaten with a hammer, add a class or open workout (if you’ve been cleared by your coach). Finding a rhythm that works for your life (ADULTING IS HARD) and your circus body can be a lot of trial and error, but fight the good fight.

Doing all of that? Tune in for STEP 2 next time! Love and pullups, Laura