trapeze

As promised, the story of my first trapeze class, at TSNY on 30th and 10th Ave.
You start by being hooked into a belt/harness and grabbing hold of the bar of the swing, which, by the way, is much heavier than it looks.  And isn't sideways like the photo.  Just tilt your head to the left.

Then, when they say 'hep', you jump off the platform, hopefully not dropping like a stone, but holding fast to the bar (at which time you pull all the muscles in your chest wall, back, and upper arms) you swing out

keep swinging

and through a series of clumsy (on my part) moves you eventually get into this position

and you trust that the guy who's been telling you what to do all along knows what he's talking about and will be there to catch you....

....and he is!
Talk about adrenaline---what a high! I've gone back once more and will try for another before heading out.
The best part of the experience was that I was completely incapable of thinking about everything else going on in my life right now---a welcome respite from the insanity.

 Photos courtesy of Laura, fellow first timer and new friend---we did it!

 Class courtesy of Beatrice---thanks again for the great birthday present!