Stroke, breathe, stroke, breathe, kick, kick, kick.

 

Today's song is a long-time favorite of mine. I first wrote it in 2005. It is actually modeled after some of the music of Cirque du Soleil from my favorite touring show of theirs 'Alegria' (a lone trumpet plays Taps in the background for the departed accompanied by a 21-gun salute). When I graduated high school (2000), I became the artistic director of a local tumbling troupe and organized tumbling and acrobatic routines for seven years. During that time, I was highly inspired by Cirque du Soleil, getting first hooked on "The Fire Within", their reality show that aired on Bravo.

 

I, myself, have been tumbling since I was eight (turning 36 in March this year - 2018 - still tumbling). Both as an athlete and as a coach I've been keenly aware of the fear that can surround such an activity as much as the joy that can be had by doing such an activity. Some of my students choose the later, some choose the former. Where acrobatics are concerned, I've always chosen joy over fear, but where my music is concerned, I think sometimes I chose fear. I'm really trying to change that this year. What are you trying to change this year? Email me and tell me about your struggles and your successes.