Native's Pick! (?)
Ever wanted to fly? Well now you can! Soar into Sky Box – a box of wonders discreetly located in Bushwick. Home to New York’s premiere aerialist community, Sky Box offers classes in silks, ballet, rope, trapeze, and lyra. The group is hosted by the House of Yes theater, which produces circus variety shows, music videos, and workshops. Inside New York‘s Shira Laucharoen and Melissa Kravitz swung out to get a glimpse from above.
Silks
Instructor Airin slides up a stream of silk like child’s play. I learned that going up one of these fabric drops is actually a harder feat. You have to twist your right foot around the fabric, then step up with your left and hoist yourself up the cloth. But once you’re there, you spin into stars, splits, and a dozen other shapes while hanging in midair.
“This is ‘Let gravity undress you’,” says Airin, as she strikes a pose and points her foot away from the silk. The fabric unravels downward.
I’ve been land bound on the blue gym mats. To get off the ground, you have to use your arms to lift your body weight up the silk, which takes a lot of strength. Airin walks us through the steps for an upside down turn, which the regulars are doing with ease. You first wrap your wrist around the fabric, grabbing hold of the knot. Tucking your knees to your chest, propel yourself upside down, feet pointed to the wooden rafters above. As my head dropped back to the ground, I saw my feet tip to the ceiling – I had taken my first step in the Sky!
Watch Airin do an upside down turn!.
- Shira Laucharoen
Take the L train to Grand Street. Sky Box is at 342 Maujer St.
2 Comments | Posted on July 28, 2011 | Categories: Attractions, Brooklyn, Bushwick, From the Blog, Native's Pick
I I I wanna go go go!