My fabric splits

Many may recall the spectacular story of my ripping all three hamstrings in my right leg and mildly stress fracturing my ischial tuberosity attempting splits on the silks in April of 2004.

As a refresher; I was not warm, stretched to the max (which was far from representing an actual split), and my right hip (the front leg) popped, giving way to the weight of my torso. The tearing of my leg was audible throughout the entire practice space, I’d guess 6,000 square feet of warehouse. I was on crutches for 3 months as I recall, and it took me quite a long time to get back into aerial. When I did, it was to perform my first show ever, with The Cabiri for Trolloween in Fremont.

Now I’m working up to something at least resembling splits as a bit of a life goal, particularly in the silks. From my recollection, this is the best by front splits have ever been – and oddly enough, my ‘good’ splits side is still my right. Here’s where I’m at now, I’m pretty stoked:

Silk splits, May 2009

Flexibility has been by far the most frustrating aspect of aerial for me, as I’m bendy by typical sedentary American standards yet not nearly as limber as most circus artists. Silks have historically only been for ‘bendy’ girls in my mind (along with hoop) until about a year and a half ago when I said fuck it and moved from rope to silks performances even though I didn’t fit my own ideal of a good silks performer.

With some time, patience, kindness to myself and body awareness, I’m slowly coming along and much less hurt than I used to be. I’m very proud when I look at this video. Thanks to Bev for taking it.