Classes for Children

Classes for Adults

• Acrobatics
• Aerial Skills
• Circus Skills
• Stretching & Conditioning

CLASSES FOR CHILDREN...

Children’s Chinese Acrobatics program
Ages 7 and up or by instructor’s permission
Prerequisites: Beginning - none
Intermediate/Advanced - Instructor's permission

Drawing on the 3000 year tradition of acrobatic training in China, this program is designed to give students the discipline, strength and flexibility necessary to develop their acrobatic potential. After acquiring a thorough foundation in the basics of tumbling and handstands, students may graduate to more specialized skills, such as hoop diving, contortion, Chinese pole and teeterboard. This class requires considerable focus and commitment. Students are encouraged to attend twice a week. Additional classes are offered at a discounted rate. All students will be evaluated the first week of the session to determine placement in the proper level.

Circus Arts
Ages 5 - 7 year olds and Ages 8 and up
This class offers children the opportunity to learn a wide range of circus skills with an emphasis on acrobatics, juggling, handstands and aerial awareness, as well as training on circus apparatus, such as rolling globe, tight wire, unicycle, rola bola, and mini-trampoline. Students will also be introduced to theatrical expression, clowning and creative movement. This is a great introductory circus skills experience for young people new to circus as well as for those who have participated in our summer camp or have had prior acrobatic or circus training.

Circus Arts
Ages 8 and up
This class if designed for students wishing to discover, enjoy and practice a wide array of skills, such as trampoline, Chinese pole, hoop diving, tumbling, juggling, clowning, trapeze, rope, magic balancing, tight wire and more.

Children’s static trapeze
Ages 7 and up
Prerequisites:
Beginning (age 7 & up) – none
Intermediate (age 10 and up) – instructor’s permission
Advanced (age 10 and up) – instructor’s permission

This class in beginning to advanced aerial skills on the Static Trapeze emphasizes strength, control, grace and flexibility. Beginning classes will focus on basic skills. Intermediate classes will continue to develop strength, flexibility and a vocabulary of moves on the static trapeze, focusing on correct form and technique. Advanced classes will continue emphasizing correct form and technique but, in addition, will focus on transitioning moves and using choreography.

Preschool Acrobatics
Ages 2 – 4 year olds
We are offering a series of specialized classes to suit your child’s developmental needs and improve his or her motor skills, coordination, balance and flexibility in a playful atmosphere with experienced, skilled instructors. Classes will focus on exploration, balance, gross motor skills and social development. Class will include circle time, free play, obstacle courses and creative movement.

CLASSES FOR ADULTS ...

ACROBATICS

Chinese Acrobatics
Prerequisites:
Beginning Chinese Acrobatics - none
Intermediate / Advanced Chinese Acrobatics - Completion of at least 3 semesters of Beginning Chinese Acrobatics classes and/or instructor’s permission
Learn the foundations of the ancient Chinese Acrobatic tradition. These techniques are the building blocks for all circus arts. Focus is on integration, flexibility, alignment, strength and control, with intensive work on handstands and tumbling.

Chinese Contortion
Prerequisite: Completion of at least three semesters of Beginning Chinese Acrobatics, and/or the permission of the instructor
Beginning contortion emphasizes flexibility, alignment, muscle control and stretching with intensive work on handstands. Students progress at their own pace.

Mongolian Contortion
Mongolian legend says that this form of contortion began when people tried to learn the movements of animals, such as the swan and snake. Mongolian contortionist Serchmaa Byamba will teach students basic circus stretching as a foundation for contortion and any other circus apparatus or skill. Students will work on stretching and flexibility from a basic to professional level, emphasizing bridge, splits and shoulder stretching. Students will also work on balance and body control.

Int/adv doubles & handbalancing
Prerequisite: Completion of at least three semesters of Beginning Chinese Acrobatics, and/or the permission of the instructor
Intermediate/advanced class in partner acrobatics, with an emphasis on refining balance, handbalancing, partner work and safety. The basic skills covered are hand to hand, foot to hand and two person pyramids.

Acrobatic Conditioning
Prerequisite: none
Get in shape for acrobatics. In this class we will work on:
- Core strength and how to connect it to the limbs for acrobatics
- Flexibility and alignment
- Strengthening head/handstands, backbends, jumping
- Developing power and confidence to prepare for tumbling (we will not learn tumbling tricks)
- Injury prevention (stabilzing joints, optimizing range of motion)

AERIAL SKILLS

Aerial Conditioning
Prerequisites: none Advanced Aerial Conditioning: instructor’s permission This class is designed to build physical strength and flexibility essential for achievement on any aerial apparatus. Classes include warm-up, stretching and strength training both on the floor and on apparatuses. There are also homework assignments to improve efficiency.

Intro to aerial skills
Prerequisites: Aerial Conditioning highly recommended but not required for people already fit. Designed like a sampling class, this class introduce students to a variety of aerial apparatuses such as static trapeze, vertical rope, aerial hoop and aerial silk (tissu). While learning the basics of each apparatus, students will continue to build strength, and flexibility.

Static trapeze
Prerequisites:
Static Trapeze Level I: 1 semester of Intro to Aerial Skills
Static Trapeze Level II, III and Static Trapeze Choreography:
Instructor’s permission

Static Trapeze Level I focuses on basic techniques and skills, while continuing building strength and flexibility.

Static Trapeze Level II focuses on more advanced skills.

Static Trapeze Level III continues to focus on advanced skills while introducing building routines.

Single Point Trapeze
Prerequisite: Some prior aerial experience
Students will learn how to use their static trapeze skills on a
spinning trapeze. This class is adapted to beginning and intermediate
level.

Static Trapeze Choreography
Static Trapeze Choreography is design to build a personal act with music, moves, expression and artistry. It can be worked out either in group class, when it is offered, or in private or semi-private classes.

Swinging trapeze
Prerequisites: Static Trapeze Level II
Classes include swinging trapeze technique, proper stretching and conditioning necessary for learning swinging trapeze.

Aerial silk
Beginning level
Prerequisites:
- Climb easily to top of the rope (25 feet)
- 1 straddle up with straight legs from standing on the mat
- Holding body weight: bent arms for 10 seconds, straight arms for 30 seconds Students will learn different ways to climb the silk and will train the basic moves.

Intermediate level
Prerequisites:
- Successful finish of Beginning Aerial Tissu or equivaent (permission from instructor)
- 2 straddle ups in a row
- 5 tricks including at least one drop
Student will continue to explore the possibilities of the Aerial Silk through more advanced moves.

Intermediate Aerial Silk Sequencing
Prerequisites:
- Sucessful finish of Intermediate Aerial Silk Skills or equivalent (permission from instructor)
- Confidentaly execute 3 tricks in a row without resting
- Be prepared to practice between classes (homework)
- Openness to creativity<

We will not learn new "tricks" in this class. Be prepared to do research; Find the tricks you want to perfect and work on them a lot, Find music that moves you and bring it to class, Work outside class time on your tricks and transitions.

In class we will work on transitions, flow, improvisation and musicality. Here is your chance to make the tricks look good on YOUR body and get creative!

Aerial Straps
Prerequisite: Intermediate/advanced level aerial student This class is for students interested in learning basic skills on aerial straps.

Rope
Beginning level
Prerequisites: 1 semester of Intro to Aerial Skills This class is for students interested in learning basic skills on the rope. Students will work on building strength, control and flexibility through learning basic moves on the rope.

Advance-Intermediate level
Prerequisites: Instructor’s permission. Student will continue to explore the possibilities on rope through more advanced moves.

Aerial Hoop
Beginning level Prerequisite: 1 semester of Intro to Aerial Skills This class is for students interested in learning basic skills on the hoop.