After almost a year of taking aerial silks classes, I have finally graduated to level 2!  I’m very excited!  I had a long year dealing with pain in my fore arms and attributed it to week muscles.  After every 5 or 6 classes, my forearms would become so tight I would have to stop class and take a few weeks off.  I finally went to see a doctor and he said I have exercise-induced compartment syndrome.  The muscles in my forearms would turn on and would not release.  The doctor said I could try using heat before I stretched, but that I would probably have to have the fascia surrounding the muscles cut to get any relief.  I said, “um, no thanks!”  Especially since it only happens when I’m doing aerials.  Instead, I went to see a woman who does trigger point therapy.  She massaged my arms and said they were way too tight.  She showed me how to massage them myself and I did this every day for a while.  When I went back to aerials, guess what… no pain!  I’ve been able, finally, to do aerials without having to stop mid class or take any breaks, and I didn’t have to have surgery.  (Yes, I did tell the doc about this so he would know that cutting the fascia in the arms is not the only option!)

Anyhoo… today, as a new year’s gift to myself, I tested for level two and passed.  I had to complete two forms that are laid out by the teacher and also perform one of my own.  This is my personal form.  I was a bit shaky in the beginning (and the music is just a tiny bit off in the video, but I couldn’t figure out how to fix that when it uploaded).  Still, I’m proud of myself! 🙂