My love for indoor skydiving started a few years ago…

One day when I was feeling a little down (hey, the business manager role is not always rosy), three good friends who wanted to cheer me up took me for my freefall baptism at iFly in Union City, CA. The experience was a total of three minutes. I must say it felt short and long at the same time, and I came out of there totally sold to the activity, full of energy and with a smile on my lips…

A few years later, I rediscovered these sensations by getting into this activity for real. Now, for someone like me who suffers from vertigo, what do I find thrilling about being thrown into a wind tunnel that gives me the same sensations as skydiving, fear of heights and all? It’s all about fighting my fears again and again – and you already know that’s a challenge I can’t help tackling!

I took an instructor to first learn the basics, followed by techniques to fly on my stomach, then on my back, how to do pirouettes, etc. I became so addicted that flying once a week became the norm (and the tunnel is a full hour away from my home, so you can just imagine my level of addiction!). And then, just while I was making great progress, a lovely little sprain forced me out of the tunnel for 7 months. But last month, I decided it was time to head back. To be fully honest with you, I actually snuck into the tunnel with my splint back in November, but a poorly executed front-to-back transition caused me to hit myself, and hello pain again. Punished for being too addicted!

In short, this passion burns so strong that when I found myself in Paris for a book launch (LeBodyChallenge) and the SNCF press conference (I am their wellbeing ambassador for the TGV railway company), I could not miss trying out the most beautiful tunnel in the world at iFly Paris in Vill’Up! It is truly a breathtaking beauty! 14 meters high, 4.30 meters in diameter (larger than my usual tunnel) and above all, full glass from the bottom up (the one I started at is mostly concrete with very little glass). So while in France for 16 days, I managed to cram in 6 sessions (including 3 on one day)! And all of that on top of a packed work schedule…don’t ask me how I did it, it’s my secret! All I’ll say is: when there’s a will, there’s a way!

What’s more, I discovered that with an instructor who is positive and encouraging, I could progress incredibly fast! Tony truly helped me embrace the learning curve, guiding me through every step with a smile and also letting me escape from time to time to just chill out.

It’s really important to work with an instructor who encourages you and makes you feel comfortable!

I track my progress on the International Bodyflight Association website.

Here, my instructors can validate my skills as I go along.

I also log my flying time, and I was actually incredibly surprised to see that I’ve only done 12 hours total since my debut!

So there’s still quite a margin to get to the level I’m aiming for!

Benefits:

• Indoor flying burns 700 calories an hour. That explains why all the iFly instructors are super toned with amazing bodies!
• All muscle groups are engaged: abdominal strap, back, arms, legs, etc. And you’ll discover muscles you didn’t even know existed!
• Great for your morale: increased endorphins (hormones of happiness), dopamine (hormone released during so-called “risky” activities), adrenaline and serotonin. The proof: the instructors are always smiling!
• Good for releasing stress: This activity is a “flow activity” which means that you can’t actually think of anything else while you’re engaged. It frees your mind and you leave the tunnel with renewed energy.
• A new circle of friends!

Risks & Disadvantages:

• As with any physical activity, there are restrictions. Get well informed, and ensure you are physically able to try it.
• The cost: for a first time flight package which includes a pre-flight training session, flight gear, instruction from a certified flight guide, and 2 x 1-minute flights, you pay $70. But if you really want to get into indoor flying, it’s definitely an expensive hobby! At the same time, when you think about the size of the tunnel, the amount of energy required to run the operation, the staff and instructors there to help you fly, etc., you can kind of understand the pricing level!
• You can get hurt, though it’s very rare. In any case, that won’t ever happen your first time flying; indeed, it’s addicts like me who want to try something above their level but are simultaneously scared…so we try, and then bam!, we bump into each other.

Lastly, when you become really addicted…you get swept up in all the fashion and gear! I went for a pink jumpsuit with a matching helmet, and as you can imagine the possibilities are endless.

But addiction aside – because I don’t really recommend that part 😉 – I do hope this article inspires you to at least just try this incredible experience!

For my part, I’ll be returning to Paris soon to perfect my technique and alleviate my stress levels, and in the meantime, I’m going to train with Shawn at the iFly in Union City. As for what’s next, I’m certainly envisioning the real deal sometime soon: outdoor skydiving. The notion terrifies me but I want it so much!

In all cases, my 2017-18 goals are looking pretty intense!

• Restart Acroyoga after an 8-month break
• Complete Level 3 of IBA indoor skydiving
• Make my first 22,900-foot ascent: Aconcagua
• Skydiving for real 😉
• Try underwater hockey (yes, it’s a real thing!)
• Pass my PADI Open Water Diver course
• Cover the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) trail again with my dad
• And fitness aside, help release Vincent Simmons who has been in prison for 40 years for a crime he did not commit (more to come on this soon).

Namaste, and sending my blessing for you to find the activities and hobbies that make you feel alive!

Love,

Valerie Orsoni
Your LeBootCamp Coach