Featuring Janelle Dinosaurs OUCH. Imagine this familiar moment: you’re in an aerial/stretching/acrobatics class, and a student is trying a new skill. “Ow!” they say, “that hurts!” This scene is the root of a series of several articles Janelle Dinosaurs and I are writing together
Featuring Catie Brier, contortionist and contortion coach There are a few super hot topics in circus/yoga/performing arts, and this is one of them…what should your glutes be doing in a backbend? Should they be engaged, or should they be relaxed? There are a lot
Featuring Lindsay Culbert-Olds (@lco91), Photo by Warren Zelman What does current performing arts culture tell us about muscle soreness? Aches and pains? Bruises, burns, and rope rash? “CIRCUS HURTS.” “Train through it.” “Tears are for home, not circus” “Here, have some circus candy (advil/ibuprofen).” These are all common "circus-isms"
Featuring Lindsay Culbert-Olds and Kia-Melinda Eastman (www.KLTrapeze.com), photo byYolanta Birkhāne “ARMS UP! NOW, DRAW YOUR SHOULDER BLADES DOWN AND BACK! ENGAGE YOUR SHOULDER MUSCLES!” How many times have you heard this verbal cue in the context of circus arts, yoga, pilates, or dance? I
I just spent the greater part of last weekend in cars and airplanes, and my body absolutely hates me. My neck hurts, I have a headache, and my hip flexors are so wound up I can hardly stand up straight.
FEATURING SHANNON MCKENNA, PHOTO BY DANIEL AND CORRINA OWENS As some of you know, I recently returned to San Francisco from China, where I had been working as a physio for the Chinese Olympic teams in prep for Rio. In China, the cultural
AERIALIST: SOPHIE GODWIN, PHOTO BY RAYMOND RUDOLPH WHY ARE HIP FLEXORS SO STUBBORN?? If you’re a circus artist concerned with improving flexibility, you probably whine and complain about your stubborn hip flexors on a semi-regular basis. Why are they so tight?? Why does hip
FEATURED: NICOLE WOYAK In the last post, I discussed a little bit about basic muscle and nerve anatomy, and how to tell which structure may be contributing to difficulties with your pike stretch. Quick (and VERY simplified) review: if you are
In August 2016, I returned home to San Francisco from China, where I was working as a physio for the Chinese Olympic teams in prep for Rio. While I was there, I had the privilege of working closely with the
Artists: Kia-Melinda Eastman and Lindsay Culbert-Olds, www.KLTrapeze.com Photographer: Yolanta Birkhane When I say "rotator cuff strengthening," what's the first exercise you think of? Those horrendously boring theraband exercises, right? Yes. Those. Boring band exercises are a great place to start with strengthening