How I overcame my injury and decided to become a Coach
When I began my aerial and contortion journey I was having so much fun pushing myself to the limits. My body seemed elastic and invincible. I was able to do anything a coach challenged me to do. I was bendy and strong, but I was lacking knowledge of how my body worked, how unstable my joints were, and how that could lead to a major injury. I would soon learn the physical pain and heartache that comes with an acute injury.
I began being interested in contortion when I auditioned for my first professional circus show and was cast in the contortion act. I attempted my first chinstand and I could easily place my feet on the floor. But, I knew nothing about a proper warm-up and cool-down and much less about building strength in my flexibility and holding my body up properly in these positions. Honestly, I was the only naturally flexible person in the act, and the youngest. The other cast members were included for having decent flexibility and forearm balances. This meant that I had to take the brunt of the work. The coach was not a contortionist and kept telling me to put myself in my most flexible positions. I trusted her and put myself in vulnerable positions trying to “earn” my place in the act. I had never even trained contortion before. I didn’t know that you should be doing an intense warm up and drills to prepare for these skills. That you train your most flexible skills but you don’t perform them until they are comfortable and easy. I was pushing myself to the limit without proper guidance.
We would get to practice and begin our routine with no warm-up, no drills. It was winter time and the gym was frigid. One of our biggest skills was that one girl would do a cat stretch (puppy pose) on the floor. The second girl would do a forearm bridge with her feet extended on the first girls hips. I was the third and I would place my chin on the first girls hips and extend my feet over onto the second girls hips. I was pretty much in a chinstand with legs extended. The fourth girl was supposed to be on a contortion table and do a forearm stand over me. The first time we attempted this skill the coach did not spot her and this girl had no control over her body. In this position I was barely able to breathe and all of a sudden I felt something smash into me. Her body came crashing down on me and my butt slammed into my head, I screamed out in pain to get off of me. Adrenaline was coursing through my body. In that moment I knew I had hurt myself, but not how bad.
I went from being the girl who would ask for deeper stretches in a bridge because I “couldn’t feel it” to not being able to even push up into one. I was in so much pain. I was so angry that this had happened to me. A coach is supposed to care for you and guide you into excellence. You should be able to trust your coach. From this moment I vowed to never allow this to happen to another person. I was young but I knew I was dedicated enough to learn what I needed to and to help others achieve their goals and be amazing performers, without sacrificing their bodies.
I most likely had a bulging disc in my spine, but I will never know for sure because I was terrified to go the doctor. In past experience, they would always tell me “you need surgery” and “you’ll never be able to train again” for much smaller injuries. I was not going to accept these things. I was able to start healing myself with proper flexibility training, sports-style “massage” and acupuncture.
I went on a mission to learn how to train my flexibility correctly and safely. I sought out different contortion coaches and learned as much about the theory of flexibility training, as the movements themselves. I took classes with Mongolian contortionists and rhythmic gymnasts. My mission was not only to heal my back but also, to bring back this information to share with my students in San Diego, so they too could stretch safely. I focused on these two styles of flexibility because not only is the flexibility very impressive, I believe the quality of movement is also the most beautiful.
To this day, I still feel my injury. However, I am able to train pain-free and continue to develop my flexibility. Now, I can feel how delicious it is to stretch and how the endorphins flood my body as I push deep into my stretches. I no longer stretch just to impress others, but because it genuinely makes me feel good. And it will make you feel good too, under proper guidance.
Wherever you are in your flexibility journey, I urge you to find a knowledgeable coach with an emphasis on active flexibility and strengthening key muscles to protect your joints. Someone who can help you understand flexibility theory; the how and why of your training. Having a good coach will be a game changer, not only in how quickly you improve but in how GOOD you will feel.
I hope my story was able to shed some light on the importance of a good coach and give anyone who is struggling hope that they can overcome anything!
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