Lauren Jamieson, aerial acrobat and instructor at Spinal Chord
I DO still get nervous before I perform. I often worry it’s going to go wrong but when I’m performing I go into my own little bubble. Although I came from a gymnastics background, it was tough. I had to learn a lot fast but I’ve learned to trust myself. The audience gives me a sense of adrenaline. As a beginner, I saw myself go from hardly being able to climb a rope to climbing straight to the top.
I’ve done gymnastics since I was four, trampolining since I was 17 and I started aerial acrobatics at 18 which was nearly 10 years ago. I applied for Camp America and ended up getting a job teaching acrobatics to children because I had a gymnastics background. I went to New York for the summer, it was amazing. I had never done anything like it before; it was overwhelming. I learned as I taught and when I came home I thought, I need to keep doing it.
When I was a competitive trampoliner, I had a bad accident and basically my knee caps were no longer attached. It was unfortunate but after that, I decided to get involved in circus and trained hard most days of the week. I was still recovering, I couldn't use my legs but I made circus my focus and got stronger.
I do aerial acrobatics but I’ve learned how to perform on chains and work with basically anything that I can use in the air. There are performers in the show dressed as clowns, hula hoopers and jugglers but I mostly work with ropes. I enjoy dressing up, it’s good fun but I always need to consider when I wrap myself up that I won’t get caught. My favourite show so far was a robotic themed show when I got to wear a virtual reality headset and swing around on a rope; it was incredible. I’ve performed in some really impressive venues including the National Museum in Edinburgh.
My background in gymnastics helped. Everything is strength-based, I had some flexibility but acrobatics made me stronger. I figured out how to do the basics but I needed to put more work in and then it became rewarding. As an acrobat, I have to support my own body weight by myself which took me from being competitive and striving for perfection to getting more creative freedom. I can create something which makes it all easier and more fun. Acrobatics and circus is very grounded so I can do things like balance on top of other gymnasts.
The most challenging part of it all, is actually just trying to fit everything in and manage my time. I’ve just finished my PhD and my job in science is very intellectually demanding so acrobatics clears my head. Acrobatics is also becoming more popular since I started. I see more and more people doing it and places popping up all over Scotland. It’s more of a hobby that people do so no one needs to have a background to join. It’s also great for toning and sculpting.
Spinal Chord will perform at the Sweat It Festival in Glasgow on May 20. The one-day event includes fitness classes, yoga sessions and food demonstrations. Visit sweatitfestival.co.uk
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