Author Archive
Heliummm’s Lyra in Time Out New York
Press, press and more press! We’re delighted to have our lyra classes featured in Time Out New York’s ‘Get Fit’ edition. Click here for full article.
Come on out and get your spin on. Click here to register for classes.
The Morning After The Night Before
We all love a good party. The planning, rehearsing, checking things off the list. Then there’s the excitement and anticipation of the event itself. Will it all go as planned? (No, but we’ll make it work). Will they like it? (Yes, we’re trained professionals – this is what we do).
Then there’s the day after. The afterglow of a job well-done. The remnants of glitter in the hair and eyelash glue around the eyes. The slight ache of a muscle overused with the pump of showtime adrenaline. The partially empty water bottles (Is this one really mine?). Oh yes, and then there’s the laundry. The not-so-glamourous part of showbiz.
-
- Wash.
-
- Perform.
-
- Repeat.
TIPS FOR FRESH COSTUMES AND A FRESH YOU
PREVENTION
1. Shower before the gig
You might think this one is no-brainer. Sadly, it’s not.
2. Wear Anti-Perspirant
Enough said.
3. Freshen up
Freshen up the armpits between rigging and warming up and putting on your costume. Wet Ones aren’t just for baby bottoms. And, there are lots of fun naturally fragranced wipes now available. Pomegranate, Lavendar, Green Tea – oh my! Visit a pharmacy or health food store near you, and keep a stash in your bag.
4. Febreeze
Bring a spray bottle of Frebreeze and spritz the pits and crotch of the costume before you put it your bag to bring home. This gesture is especially appreciated if you’re been lent a costume and you’re giving it back to someone, like me, else to launder.
5. Unpack right away
Unpack your bag as soon as you get home. Air your costume out to dry RIGHT AWAY. Time is of the essence. Or should I say “Es-scents”. Don’t give the bacteria a nice moist home to thrive in. Once the smell gets in, it’s super hard to get out.
6. Launder ASAP.
Add some Woolite to cold water. Gently handwash your costume, giving extra attention to the pits and crotch. Roll delicate costumes up in a towel to squeeze out as much water as you can. Then lay flat to dry or hang on clothesline.
7. Put clean dry costume away for next time
We store our costumes in see-through Ziplocs for ease of identification. Get a system. Use it.
That’s today’s lesson on bringing you fresh entertainment, in super fresh costumes, one amazing event at a time.
Heliummm’s Featured in the New York Times!
What a thrill to see Heliummm’s name in print in the NY Times.
Heliummm’s Students, Sarah Irene and Amy Shure look fabulous! Reporter Daniel Krieger learned some new skills, and received lots of support from the other Heliummm silkies. Yay, Team Silks! Read the full article here.
Sore Biceps – Help!
Today’s “Ask Mama Silk” question comes from Rosemarie M. in Edmonton, Canada.
She writes:
“I have been using my arms a lot (chin ups, pole tricks) and one of my biceps got irritated… now after swimming this morning, the other is irritated. Have you had this before? If so, how did you take care of it? THANKS!”
Mama Silk says: Rest, rest, rest. Chin ups, pole, and swimming are all heavy upper body activities. You may be experiencing Pattern Overload, which results from consistently repeating the same motion patterns, thus placing abnormal stresses on the body.
Pattern Overload is bad, as it may lead to the Cumulative Injury Cycle.
Tissue trauma —> Inflammation —> Muscle Spasm —> Adhesions —> Altered Neuromuscular Control —> Muscle Imbalance —> Cumulative Injury Cycle —> Tissue trauma and on and on and on…
So take 2 Advil, and call me in the morning. And don’t forget to ice, 20 mins on, 20 mins off (never put ice directly on your skin, unless it’s in a refreshing beverage on your tongue).
When you’re adequately healed, evaluate both your training and cross-training:
1. Choose activities that aren’t all ‘upper-body-all-the-time’.
At the pool? Use the flutterboard – rest your arms and work out those legs.
At the gym? Lower body and legs can get neglected in aerial class. Get on the treadmill, or do some leg presses.
At the park? Hop up on the bench (preferably when there’s no one sitting on it) for some plyometric exercises.
2. Concentrate on using your back and lats when you climb and when you are holding yourself up.
How is your technique? Are your shoulders up? Are you using your biceps when you should be using your back and lats? God gave you lots of muscles. Use them all. Your biceps were not meant to hold your entire body weight.
Biceps strain is frequently seen in new aerialists who overtrain without proper technique. Consult your professional aerial instructor!
3. Cycle your training to rest muscle groups
Pace yourself. Muscles can actually get weaker if they are trained every day. Break up your training to give muscle groups a rest.
4. Stretch
Use a combination of self-myofascial release (e.g. foam roller), static stretching, active-isolated stretching and dynamic stretching. Again, ask your experienced aerial instructor or personal trainer for help. A good class will include a variety of stretching.
5. Drink lots of water, eat your vegetables and get lots of rest.
Lights out, cub scout! Aim for 8 hours of sleep. Your body needs repair and rejuvenation. You need to be well-hydrated and nourished for your body to withstand the rigors of aerial arts, both in the short and long term.
Sending lots of aerial love and healing vibes.
~Mama Silk
Sources: NASM Essentials of Personal Fitness Training
Photos: Self.com, myfitnesspal.com, Mama Silk
Top 10 Tips for Becoming a Professional Aerialist, or Professional Anything for That Matter
Dear Silkies,
Mama Silk is pleased to launch a new feature of her blog “Ask Mama Silk”. Send in your performance and training-related questions, and Mama Silk will do her best to give you the answers you seek.
To start us off, Mama Silk will answer a common question: “How do I become a professional aerialist?”. Here are the top ten answers.
1. Have a strong skill set
You’d think this goes without saying, but it needs emphasis. Have a good strong act. Ready. Now.
Your transitions should be smooth, your legs straight and your toes pointed, and you should not be visibly struggling to get through your act or any particular trick. If you can’t run your routine to perfection three times in an hour or so, you are not ready to perform it. Only include tricks you can execute 100% of the time. Trust me on this one.
Actor’s Resource “BackStage” Lists Heliummm Classes As Artistry Expander
The leading arts and entertainment industry resource aimed at people working in film and the performing arts, Back Stage names Heliummm Aerial Dance as a special skill to add to your bag of tricks! Plus as we put it, you’ll leave our silks classes with full-body, integrated strength, dynamics, and a new relation to gravity.” Click here to sign up for classes.
Click here to see the article.
Fox News Interviews Heliummm Aerial And Students
Watch this Fox News Video interview with artistic director Heather Hammond and some pretty amazing students, when Fox stopped by our Silks Class recently.
Here are some uplifting benefits from an inspiring total body work out: “The aerial workout gives people the opportunity to do things they never thought they could. Some students even take part in performances to show off their skills.” The Fox News anchors were impressed. And you will be too when you come to class! Sign up here for silk classes.
Heliummm Writes for ‘Insiders Know-How: Planning Your Perfect Wedding’
We are thrilled to write the Chapter entitled “Entertainment That Reflects The Couple” for Kizzi Nkwocha’s ‘Insiders Know-How: Planning Your Perfect Wedding”. Now available on Amazon.com and MithraPublishing.com.
Here’s a brief excerpt:
Weddings are extraordinary days where two unite to become one, celebrating love and the promise of the future. We all want an incredible, memorable wedding day. And your wedding day entertainment should reflect that special love, your personalities and your vision for your day. But what kind of entertainment reflects who you are?
STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE
While the classics are tried and true, what if you want something a little more innovative for your wedding?
What’s Old is New Again
Let’s face it. The cocktail hour is de rigeur. So why not give your guests an experience they’ll never forget? Augment your cocktail hour with aerial champagne servers. Dazzling beauties dangling from the air, suspended in white fabric or on a lovely aerial hoop. What could be lovelier than having an aerial angel fill your flute with Moet et Chandon? While you’re off taking pictures, know that your guests are being well taken care of with this exquisite touch.
Technology with Heart
In addition to offering lighting options and MCs, DJ packages now often include fun extras. Ask about Text to Screen Messaging. Your guests will be able to text you and your beloved messages that will appear on a large screen on the dance floor – live – during the event! You can alternate between heartfelt messages from your guests
Classic But Curious
Ballet dancers dressed in long romantic tutus or other period attire add an elegant touch. The dancers create lovely atmosphere and beautiful movement as they escort guests to their seats.
The Wow Factor
Aerialists are not just for Sky Candy during cocktail hour. Romantic aerial duets add incredible beauty to the celebration of your love. Make a splash during dinner and speeches a featured solo or duo aerial act. Amaze your guests with the incredible skills of contortionists, magicians, or jugglers. All artists can be costumed and styled to match the mood and look of your wedding. Perhaps to introduce the removing of the garter, you select a tasteful burlesque act!
If you want to read the full article, or want more information on how Heliummm can make your wedding extra special, contact us here.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Heliummm’s ‘Cirque du So-Can-You’
Check out this great interview Heather gave to Classtivity. View full article here. Our students look great in the photos – and so can YOU (if you come to class, that is)! Sign up for classes here.
Click on image to englarge.
Students in order of appearance:
Jamie Wilson and Heather Mims (foreground)
Karina Casiano and Chrysoula Papanikou (background)
Julie Krygsman (back) and Leila Blauner (front)
Kealani Tosh (in the air) and Heather Hammond
Heliummm Trains with the World’s Best!
When you want top notch performers, you want the artists of Heliummm Aerial Dance. We trained this weekend with world-renowned acrobatic balancer Virgile Peyramure, shown here.
We’re always taking our skills and training to the next level to bring the biggest WOW factor to YOUR next event. And, we can book the best in the world for your premium happening. Heliummm’s got it’s finger on the pulse to make your job planning incredible events the perfect balancing act.
Contact us now to start planning world-class entertainment for your next event.
