Every once in a blue moon, I teach my version of an injury prevention class. Most classes like this focus on preventative exercises, stretches, and good form. Mine? I like to go straight for the “heart attack zone” – falls and accidents. Know when these are most likely to happen?

When students are coming back from an extended break and are eager to get back in the air.

OH NO!!!!!!

Yes. It’s real. If you’ve been around the teaching block a few thousand times, I guarantee you’ve witnessed it. Students want to return to the air as if they’d never been out of it. Some darling danglers will take it slow and easy, but some will make you tinkle a little. So, how do we minimize those “Depends” moments?

Practicing Safe Circus – Setting Boundaries

Whether we’re training on our own or heading in for our first post-break lesson, we’ll want to practice some safe circus.

• Students
  • Say it with me: low and slow. Thou shalt not climb to the top of the silk in the first 20 seconds of class. What’s the rush? On day one, keep everything nice and low so you can feel out where your body and your brain are.
  • Start with the basics. That quadruple tizzy-twist with a half salto you were working on before vacay? You are NOT starting with that. NO. Start with your climbs, your inversions, your hip keys, your foot knots. Say hello to them like you’d say hello to beloved friends.
  • Change your brain. Think of it this way. You know how you’re terrified that you’ve lost all your strength and skills and you’re just going to be le poo and hate yourself and everything is going to be awful? OK. Take a breath. Starting slowly will allow you to get your brain and muscles speaking again. You will have a better session and feel WAY more positive if you start with the easy stuff. GIVE YOURSELF A WIN. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, YOU DESERVE A WIN.
  • Follow your coach’s rules and instruction to the letter. They have missed you so much! Now, listen and behave.

• Teachers
  • Do for them what they can’t do for themselves. Set the fabric low so that even if they do shimmy to the top they can still safely get down.
  • Set a super back-to-basics class plan for a bit and let them know that that’s what’s happening. They can bust out their fancy moves in a few weeks. You may have to be extra firm with Imelda who has been WAITING for this day FOREVER and has her eye on that quad. No, Imelda. Do your hip key.
  • Remind them that they are at higher risk for repetitive stress injuries right now and, unless they want to spend the next 6 months in PT and out of circus, they’d better mind you. And then give them The Look. You know the one.

We’re all so excited to be coming back! Easing back in is the way to make sure everyone wins (and your teacher doesn’t wet their pants)! Love and pull-ups, Laura