There's something about control that appeals to the human condition. It's a natural and inherent inclination that we possess to seek the stability and comfort found in control.
Flight breaks the logic of control and forces you to come to terms with the fragility of that control. And it is in this paradox where I've found the most interesting moments of freedom. The iFly experience forces you into a posture of trusting a seemingly uncontrollable and invisible force that leaves you at its mercy. The first time inside the tunnel was an exhilarating introduction to such trust, and once that relationship is developed, once that trust is given over to both the instructor's experience and the power of the wind to be able to hold you up, there is freedom.
Then, as suddenly as it’s taken, power is returned. Analogous to almost any time in our lives where we find ourselves in an uncomfortable and foreign environment, stability is returned in time. It is one of the most fundamental balancing acts of our existence, the contrasting desires for new and old, exciting and comfortable. And the more time you spend in the tunnel the closer you are to achieving this balance. iFly. Do you?
Written by Jeremiah Choi, CSF Winner and intern at iFLY Hollywood
This means so many different things to so many people. For some, it refers to your commercial flight where you had to jump through hoops to get a ride to the airport, take off your shoes, hurry up and wait and then ride in a cramped airplane with a kid crying behind you. For some, it brings up the feeling of family or vacation, because when you do it, that is the destination. For skydivers, it means something completely different. The plane ride is simply a means to an end. It gets you to about 13K, so you can really fly. The freedom and calm that comes from flying through the sky can only be explained by those that do it. For me, it's my yoga. It is there that my mind, body and spirit have to be present. When flying, there is nothing else to think about, worry about, plan for or stress about. I am just there. The amazing thing is that I can attain this same beauty while indoor skydiving. Tunnel flight puts you there...in the flying place. This is why I love it. This is why everyone I work with loves it. It is a special place with a special feeling. Once you taste it, you want a buffet.
.jpg)