The trapeze experience

Aug. 23, 2009

The Trapeze Experience
Boyne workshops offer a leap of faith
By Kristi Kates 8/24/09

If you’ve ever thought of running away and joining the circus - or simply want to challenge both your body and mind - the Solace Spa at Boyne Mountain’s Trapeze-Experience is perfect for you. That whole “trapeze” thing is not merely some pretty terminology for a facial or other spa treatment - they actually mean trapeze, as in “you’ll be zipping through the air on one.”
One of the most popular events that Solace Spa hosts, the Trapeze-Experience uses a regulation-size trapeze to assist participants in boosting confidence and self-esteem, as well as to conquer fears such as heights.
Led by team leader Dave Cavaletto - who has worked with the Trapeze-Experience company (www.trapeze-experience.com) for over 10 years and has also worked for Club Med and Circus Jordan - the trio of instructors (the other two being trapeze artist and gymnast Chris Johnston, and circus arts coach and aerial arts instructor Colleen Forrest) assist participants in first attending a ground lesson and taking part in some stretching exercises.
The next step is to strap each participant into a special harness to teach them how to master the swing; then the real fun begins. As confidence builds, participants learn the skills needed to attempt midair transfers and catching techniques.
“The first leap is a thrilling experience unlike any other,” Cavalatto says, “and most people get a sense of satisfaction having gone through one of our workshops.”

SUPPORTIVE SURROUNDINGS
Anyone in good physical condition can participate in Trapeze Experience; no special training is needed, as you’ll get all that you need on-site. Still have questions? No problem -- Trapeze-Experience has plenty of answers.
First of all, the trapeze is actually safer than one might think; the coaches say that the trapeze has a better safety record than baseball, football, jogging, or horseback riding. Participants are put into a single-line harness for the ladder-climb to the platform, and a “double-belay,” or two-sided harness, for the actual trapeze work - plus there’s a huge safety net below.
As far as injuries go, that’s where the stretching exercises and ground lesson are important; proper stretching might help prevent you from pulling a muscle, which, as the coaches point out, is something you might do simply getting out of a car or mowing your lawn.
Due to the principles of pendulums, the swing-momentum of being on the trapeze actually reduces the load on the arms and shoulders.
As far as your confidence goes, Cavalatto ensures that, having worked with over 30,000 people in various trapeze workshops, the environment is very supportive. Boyne’s own Sean Handler (Michigan Director of Boyne Spas) participates each year, and he says that the more workshops you complete, the more fun it is.
“The experience is amazing,” Handler says, “This is our fourth year conducting the program, and I’ve made a point to participate each year. Each time you complete a workshop they teach you a new “trick” to master; it becomes very fun, very fast. It’s incredible how scary and awkward my first step from the platform was, and how far I advanced in only two hours completing mid-air transfers and catching techniques.”

TRANSFORMATIVE EXERCISE
Another aspect of the Trapeze-Experience is the fact that, as Cavalatto puts it, the trapeze is no longer only known as “something to do with the circus,” although that’s probably most people’s first perception of it.
He points out that the trapeze has now become a tool for team-building, motivation, self-esteem building, emotion-management, and healthful whole-body exercise; that the trapeze is an “accelerated experience of learning and transformation” that leads to “becoming more present in one’s life, exploring the deeper nature of how we create our own realities, and being proud of one’s achievements.”
Handler agrees.
“I’m amazed by the mind-body connection of the experience,” he says. “It’s so much more than simply a physical activity; it’s much more a deeper experience with one’s relationship with life. The manner in which my body responded to the steps and tasks with the trapeze can be viewed in many other projects and moments in my day to day life.”
If you’re interested in being a part of this year’s Trapeze-Experience at Boyne Mountain, you’d best register early, as space is limited - Solace Spa will take a maximum of 10 people per two-hour workshop lesson. The fee for the workshop is $75 per person, and workshops will take place August 28-31, and September 4-7, with two to three sessions per day. Solace Spa is also offering lodging and spa treatment packages to go along with the Trapeze-Experience; you can get all the details by calling 231-549-7946.
If you’re not sure whether or not you want to try your own skills on the trapeze, the professionals will be showcasing their own skills in demonstration shows on site - the complimentary 10-minute trapeze show will have a limited run, so check with Solace Spa for dates and times.