5 Things I Love About Silks

Since we have already done the 5 things we love about Lyra from one of our students, I thought it’s time to tell you a few of the reasons I LOVE silks!

1: They are Beautiful! Lets face it, there is something about the elegance of the silks hanging from the ceiling that just scream Beauty! Once you have built the strength and learned the proper techniques, the beauty of the silks just adds to every move. Oh you can do the splits? Cool. Oh you can do the splits..in the air..on gorgeous “ribbons”..? BEAUTIFUL!

2: They make you STRONG. I’m not talking about a little bit of strength training strong. I am talking about intense muscle engagement in your core, arms, back, shoulders, and some lower body. You will become stronger than you’ve ever been. And feel graceful and elegant and awesome while utilizing that strength that you’ve built. It’s the best kind of lifting I’d say!

3: Can we say Adrenaline Rush? I am an adventurer. But I am also very fond of my safety and staying alive. When you get to the level that your teachers let you learn the fun drops and rolls and tricks it is such a rush! But not something I have to go skydiving to get. Because Im not that brave. You get to spin fast and drop it low and impress everyone around you all while overcoming fears and having a blast!

4: Classic. When I think of the circus or Cirque de Soleil I first picture silks as the aerial apparatus. I love that the apparatus that is my favorite is the one that most people so closely associate with your classic circus and cirque shows. It’s inspiring and mesmerizing! There is nothing I love more than freestyling on the silks and being able to express myself in such a beautiful way.

5: Last but not least, my favorite thing about this awesome aerial apparatus is the self confidence you gain from learning them. I can remember my first classes. They were HARD. But each class that I got something I was working on gave me such a feeling of validation and was so rewarding. MY BODY finally flipped upside down on demand from 12 ft in the air. MY BODY finally mastered that wrap that i’ve been struggling with for weeks and now utilized it to get me into an intricate pose where I can rest a bit while the silks flow under me. MY BODY learned to do that drop from the top of the silks to the bottom while maintaining control and making it look effortless (IT”S NOT). And even more rewarding??? When my students get these same things and hit these same milestones. When the girls I coach find themselves and gain a confidence no other sport has been able to give them. And when that mom who things she’s too old or too big gets the nerve to try it and STICK WITH IT….and before she knows It she is flying and graceful and able to once again love and appreciate her amazing body. Those are my favorite moments.

Now that you’ve heard my favorite things….come take a class with me and lets see what you think!

-Coach Kenali