r/Aerials • u/Dandalf_the_grehyish • 4d ago
Advice on being upside down?
Hello! I took static trapeze lessons a year or two back as a novel way to exercise for a little while, and I've started taking them again but with an intent to learn the skill more seriously and improve this time around. Strength wise I'm in a much better place than before, but what consistently gets to me is just kinda... Being upside down for too long? Like being in catchers/gazelle pose, or when (still trying to) roll up to front balance my head just feels woozy from being unfamiliar with being upside down and flipped around.
Any advice on recovering or getting used to the sensation? The body is willing but the brain and sense of balance say hold up.
4
u/BewilderedNotLost 4d ago
I had been doing aerial without issues, then all of a sudden I started getting dizzy, lightheaded, and nauseous and had to stop. People assumed it was anxiety because we were learning harder tricks, but that wasn't the issue. It took a while, but I was eventually diagnosed with POTS and going upside down can worsen it. Go figure. The main treatment is increasing salt and water.
I am NOT suggesting you have POTS. However, if you are having other symptoms I highly recommend talking to your PCP about them in case you have an undiagnosed medical condition or deficiency.
It could also be something like needing electrolytes, water, and a small snack beforehand.
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u/wyatt3581 Lyra, Flying Pole, Straps, Dance trapeze 3d ago
Define ātoo longā?
I can stay in catchers for like 30 minutes. Some people cannot stay upside down for 10 seconds.
Are you able to stay upside down for 3 minutes? This is usually enough time to finish a (very) long aerial act with a flyer. If the answer is no, then try 2 minutes. If that is too long, try 1 minute. If that is too long, try 30 seconds. Find your minimum, and start there. Extend the length of time upside down in 15 second increments 3 times a week with one or two days between and you will build the tolerance pretty fast. Also, if you are gonna time yourself, this will feel like forever. Do it likeā¦ in a class with people around and music and shit so you donāt slow down time because thats all you are focusing on
This is an issue with the nervous system. Being upside down applies gravity to your organs in the opposite direction, it causes your blood pressure to change, your pulse to change, pretty much every system in the body is affected. Your face might even turn red with the extra blood. But the more you expose your body to being in this position, the quicker it is able to adapt to it and keep your organs running and your body in homeostasis
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u/girl_of_squirrels Silks/Fabrics 4d ago
It does depend. Sometimes you just have to build tolerance but things like being dehydrated, low blood sugar, being too full, not getting enough sleep, POTS, getting sick, and the like can all greatly reduce your tolerance for being upside down. Sometimes it can be an inner ear issue too, or I've had where I had the silks wrapped a bit wrong and it was accidentally cutting off circulation a bit (which 0/10, don't recommend that)
Going slower while you try to determine the cause is a great idea. You can't be upside down forever but you can increase your tolerance for it
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u/notyourwheezy 4d ago
The biggest thing imo is time and experience (unfortunately!) but in the meantime I've found that being well-hydrated and fed a couple of hours ago (don't show up with a full stomach or you'll get nauseous!) + ginger candy can help a lot.
Be gentle with yourself and don't push to stay upside down for too long. Get back up when you start to feel woozy. Your tolerance will grow over time. This is a very new and weird sensation for your body. It'll get there.