How is a class run?

Every adult class begins with a 15-minute warm-up, followed by 35 minutes of skills, ending with conditioning and stretching. All skills are taught low to the ground with a mat underneath you. Classes have a maximum of four people per adult class to ensure proper spotting while attending to technique and form.  

 

Kids classes are an hour long and start off with juggling, hula hooping, or some other manipulation skill.  We move on to some groundwork and then an apparatus of the day such as silks or trapeze.  At the end of class, we will do some conditioning and stretching.

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What do I wear for classes?
Please wear tight-fitting, comfortable clothing that covers the back of the knees. Tank tops are fine as long as you bring an extra layer to cover the armpits. Tops must be able to tuck into your pants, as you will be going upside down. Sports bras for women and briefs or a dance belt for men are highly recommended.  Long hair should be up and away from the face, and please no jewelry, zippers, or anything that can catch.  Please bring a water bottle.

I have some experience from another studio, how do I know what level I am in?  
The best thing is to contact the instructor so you can figure it out together. Just shoot us an email and we can find the right class for you. 

I can't do a pull-up or have a split, I should work on that before signing up right?
Not at all!  By coming to class you will gain strength and flexibility.  It doesn't matter what kind of shape you are in or even how old you are.  We will work with you by using modifications to help you achieve your own goal.

I'm interested but not sure I want to sign-up for a full session.  Is there a way to try it out?
Sure is!  We have taster workshops about once a month.  This is a one-time class that you can try out before signing up for a full session.

I know I can't make all the classes, do you offer refunds or can I just drop-in to a class?
Please read our policy before signing up as it will answer all refunds, cancellations and drop-in questions.  In trying to keep classes small and the importance of progressions, we only allow drop-ins in the advanced classes with instructor approval.  There are no refunds but you can take two of your missed classes and use them for an open studio where you train the skills you have previously learned under the supervision of an instructor.  If you have a schedule that keeps changing, private lessons are always an option.

I love aerial so much!  I want to rig in my house or on a tree!
We love how excited you are to keep training but please check out this document before attempting to rig in your home or on a tree.  It can be extremely dangerous.  Open studio is a great place to train where you will be with other people and on professional rigged apparatuses.  

 

Do you host birthday parties?

As of now, we don't but if you want a lesson up to 8 students included in your birthday adventures we can do that. 

 

Can I watch my kid take a class?

Unfortunately, no.  It's too distracting for the kids to have their parents or caregivers watch making it unsafe.  We do allow parents to come in on the very last day of the session to check out the skills they have been working on. 

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My kid loves gymnastics do you do a lot of tumbling?

The kid circus classes do a little bit of tumbling but it isn't our main focus which is aerial.  If your kid wants to do cartwheels and is only interested in ground-based skills you should probably stick with gymnastics or another tumbling program. 

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My kid can't do the class that is for their age group, can I sign them up for a class that is slightly older or younger for them?

You can always ask the instructor but it is important that kids stay in their age group.  It's more fun and a lot easier to teach and learn in that environment. 

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My kid is very strong and flexible, can I sign them up for the advanced class?

Intermediate and advanced classes are by instructor approval only.  Circus classes are more than just about strength and flexibility.  We incorporate juggling, theater games, partner acro and more.  

 

Do you have performance opportunities?

We will!  As we are just getting started we aren't quite sure yet when those will be but the plan is to offer performance opportunities to both kids and adults twice a year. 

I love aerial but I live kind of far from Gloucester, where else can I train?

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ESH Circus Arts: Sommerville, MA

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Commonwealth Circus Center: Boston, MA

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