Real High School: Trampoline Class at TSNY

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WORD OF A trampoline class may make you want to jump for joy. But be sure to resist the urge. The Trapeze School New York's new Washington digs feature an Olympics-style spring bed trampoline with way more power than anything you've ever bounced on in a backyard. "You're just flexing your ankles," explains instructor Casey Moore, a former national trampoline champ. "If you bend your knees and push, you'll be out of control."

» What It Is: Being slightly out of control, however, is part of the appeal of the sport. Unlike students in TSNY's flying trapeze classes, who are hooked into harnesses and have spotters and a safety net as a backup, trampoline novices can't get away with doing anything too stupid. Or, you know, splat. So the hour-long sessions are limited to three students, who rotate through one-on-one time with the instructor. First-timers usually start slow. "You have to get used to standing there and being off the ground," Moore says. Then you progress to small bounces with hands on hips before moving into basic aerial tricks and short routines.

» Lingo: Gymnasts and divers will recognize the standard body position terms. You "tuck" your knees into your chest, and "pike" by extending your legs straight out so they're parallel to the ground. "Bed tricks" aren't naughty — they're any moves that don't require landing on your feet, like seat drops and "doggie drops" (on your hands and knees).

» Workout: You'd be amazed by how winded you can get not "jumping," Moore says. That's because it requires incredible control to stay in position with proper form, which is a skill that can translate into life off the trampoline. "With better body awareness, you're not falling as often and have better posture," she adds.

Student Courtney Pollman, 28, comes for a combo of cardio and toning. "I feel my core engage, and my legs are usually sore the next day," she says. It may not all be due to her hard work on the trampoline, however. The warm-up is 100 jumping jacks followed by some serious stretching, especially of the wrists. Plus, while Moore is working with other students, the rest of the class completes sets of exercises, such as squat jumps and push-ups.

» Crowd: Students tend to be TSNY addicts who want to sample all of the circus arts disciplines. Take Tori Borland, 18, who's been doing flying trapeze for five years, but likes the extra liberation of the trampoline. "There's childish freedom in bouncing around. It's so much more unbridled," says Borland, who's come a half dozen times and is on the verge of advancing to a front flip. There are also plenty of women (only a handful of men have taken the classes) who show up just because they've never been on a trampoline. But no matter whether they're beginners or pros, everyone shares a similarly advanced sense of humor. "You're going to look silly on a trampoline," Moore says.

ONE BIG TENT:
TSNY's new home by the Navy Yard offers much more than just flying trapeze. You can also try static trapeze, aerial silks and acrobatic partner balancing to cross-train your circus skills.

» It's $40/class, plus $20 fee for first-timers. Tues. at 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. at TSNY (4th St. and Tingey St. SE; 410-459-6839).

Photo by Kevin Dietsch