I Used to Think I Was Lazy… Now I Train Silks 4 Times a Week!
“I broke up with my boyfriend on the day of my first silks class…
When my friend Gabi had asked if I was interested in taking an aerial class together, I was immediately sceptical. Being neither strong nor particularly graceful, I could not imagine it going well. That said, I had been gaining a very small amount of strength over the preceding 4 months as the result of a bet with my niece that required me to do yoga every day of 2022 or forfeit £10. Before all of this I had led a fairly sedentary life, punctuated by brief obsessions with long distance trekking, swimming, yoga, and even (to my disgust) running!
Nothing ever stuck, and no wonder: most of my efforts to kickstart an active lifestyle revolved my desire to lose weight or otherwise alter my appearance. This, for me at least, is never going to be sufficient motivation. Having already shocked myself by sticking with the daily yoga thing for over 100 days, I thought why not give this a shot too. The worst that could happen would be that I’d embarrass myself and waste a bunch of money, and then I could retreat to my flat and never speak of it again.
So the day came, and the thought of extricating myself from my post-break-up nest of blankets held together by tears to go make a fool of myself in front of strangers was horrifying.
Luckily I had already roped my niece Kaylin into joining the class too, so she physically dragged me out the door, swollen eyes and all.
For the next hour there was no room in my head for anything but the task at hand. To someone for whom “cardio” is a dirty word, the warm up portion of the class was a breathless surprise, and I soon knew that whatever other talents I might possess, I was not gong to be a natural at silks. And yet – it didn’t matter in the slightest. For the first time in years I experienced the immersive flow state that comes with learning (or trying to learn) a new physical skill just for fun. I felt like I was 8 years old again, practising cartwheels in a field for the pure joy of it.
Kaylin and I were giddy all the way home. I can’t think of another activity that has transported me from despair straight to elation in a similar fashion. As soon as I got home I was online, shopping for a pull up bar and investigating how to improve my grip strength. It was a distraction of the healthiest kind imaginable!
Fast forward 8 months and I now find myself at ALT at least 4 times a week, and sometimes multiple times in a day! I’m way stronger than I used to be (if not more graceful) and I have coerced numerous people into coming with me. A few months ago I added Aerial Hoop to my repertoire, and I’ve dabbled in Handstands, Bootcamp, and other floor-based classes.
The welcoming atmosphere, the incredible diversity of the participants, the enthusiasm everyone has for the progress of the people around them, and the tongue-in-cheek banter from the excellent instructors all combine to make me feel very much at home.
Over the holidays while there have been no classes on I’ve been sitting on my sofa, reflecting on the past year, letting my bruises heal, and doing pull-ups every time I go to the kitchen for a snack. I can do 4 now (and yes, that’s a boast!).
I still find it hard to believe that I, a lifelong avoider of physical effort, am now committed to it. The challenge is addictive. If I had to pinpoint the very best thing about all of this (aside from the increased physical and mental well-being, that is) it would be the undeniable proof that I am capable of change.
I can’t wait to get back.”
- Andrea Heins