5 movements I learned this year

1. Weighted Calisthenics

To get ready for my first calisthenics competition, I focused on weighted pull-ups and dips.
I’ve always had mad respect for people doing weighted pull-ups and now I’m one of them! I could never have dreamed of being as strong as I am today and I’m still improving.

2. Femme Dance (the course was called Sexy Floorwork)

Well, the floorwork came later than shown in the snippet ;)

My body always crave fluidity after too many linear reps and strength conditioning.
That’s why dancing is the perfect counterbalance to strength training for me.
I love getting in touch with my sensuality and femininity in a free, “unashamed” way, in a safe space with other women.

3. Hand-to-Hand

I unlocked my first hand-to-hand by chance at a friend’s birthday. She invited many of her acro yoga friends, and they spontaneously started jamming. I did amateur cheerleading, and standing acrobatics during my university days. Even though I don’t actively pursue this anymore due to other interests, I’m always up for a jam and learning new things!

4. Reverse ring muscle-up & banded ring muscle-up

Two years ago, I took my first calisthenics course and learned about the false grip.
I thought it was insane how those people chose to endure pain and built calluses on their hands and wrists.
Well, as I’ve found with pole dance and aerial sports you actually get used to the pain.

And at some point, you might actually enjoy the pain paired with the effort behind those skills.

5. Front Handspring

There are too many gymnastics goals on my list (flips + aerial!) and the older I get, the farther away they seem to move.
I understand that age is a number, but time and biology are still realities. Learning new skills at age 5 or 15 is different than 30… isn’t it?
Either way, I try my best to loosen my grip on those limitations, while still playing safe.

The front handspring came as a surprise.
I signed up for a soft acrobatics course.
Turned out that all the regulars were quite advanced, and did one handspring after another.
Sometimes, I like being the most inexperienced person in the room.

The way my horizon broadens is incomparable.

Suddenly, the impossible becomes possible.