Replies to This Discussion

StudentPermalink Reply by Snowflake on March 19, 2011 at 12:00am

I bruise really easily as well. Have you tried ingesting the arnica? That's what I do and it seems to help, Just a few drops of oil in juice or something. Also maybe try working on something that is not in the area you are bruised. How frequently do you practice Lyra?

Permalink Reply by Ariel on March 19, 2011 at 7:15am

No actually, I haven't tried eating it. Maybe that will help. I practice about once or twice a week now, I'm sure I'd practice more if it wasn't so painful though. I have one hung in my house, so I could play whenever I want. Its weird though, I get bruises from sequences and poses that don't hurt when I'm doing them, and I get them all over, no matter what. My doctor noticed and asked me if I was being abused!

StudentPermalink Reply by Snowflake on March 19, 2011 at 11:17am

Lmao! I always think of that with my bruises, what if someone starts to think I'm being abused or something. I guess also varying up the tricks you are doing? When I was at NY circus Arts they used to make us do Hoax busters to condition the backs of the knees for knee hangs, maybe incorporating some conditioning drills a little more often in the week, just to get used to it?

   I've had a consistent Lyra practice down for about 6 months now and my bruising isn't as bad as it used to be, fear not less bruising is on the way! :)

Permalink Reply by Ariel on March 20, 2011 at 7:35am

What is a Hoax buster? And what sort of conditioning drills do you mean? I am totally ignorant about names of things with the lyra because I have never taken a class or worked with anyone that knows what they're talking about :)

Thanks for your tips by the way!

StudentPermalink Reply by Snowflake on March 20, 2011 at 10:08am

Haha I definitely spelled that wrong, sorry about that. It's called a Hox it's the back part of the knee. For the drill you hook both knees on the bottom part of the lyra then to start you would pick one leg up and hold it for 10 seconds, and then switch. If you are training alone take some belts and tie them to the lyra so you can spot yourself by hanging on to them while you are upside down. This will help condition and strengthen the backs of the knees. This is just one of the drills we used to do. Also practice holding hip and back balances as long as you can will help. If none of what I just explained makes any sense let me know and I'll just video it the next time I do my drills.

Permalink Reply by Gina OrRico on March 21, 2011 at 11:09am

Pineapple juice (or fresh) - and lots of it - it contains bromelain which helps heal bruising - dont get the canned stuff - go fresh - bromelain is concentrated in the core.

You will get tougher- I used to bruise SO badly and hardly do anymore- wear protective clothing - I also find that wearing tights under my pants helps (I think it's the compression). 

AND -If you are the base in your routine and your partner is the flyer in most tricks - your body is taking more impact (your weight and hers) so don't feel bad about bruising more. Hope any of this was helpful :)

Permalink Reply by Ariel on March 23, 2011 at 4:52pm

Snowflake, I would appreciate a video more than you could ever know! Everything I do is strictly winging it, and I long for some hint to instruction/drill ideas, anything structural. I think the lyra is really expressive and challenging, but if I'm going to get anywhere with it, I need to step up the technical game if you know what I mean.

 

Gina, thank you for the tips! I am the base a lot, because I weigh more than my partner and I hate to think about crushing her lol. When she bases, I feel sort of clunky if that makes any sense. I think its just all in my head and we should probably switch more. Is there a supplement with bromelain that you know of? Pineapples are pricey as hell where I live.

Permalink Reply by Gina OrRico on March 23, 2011 at 11:13pm

you can still base a lot - that is just why you bruise more then her - pineapple juice is good too - and easier