AERIAL SKILLS

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Tissus 

Also called Aerial Silks. Tissus (French for fabric) is a vertical apparatus made of fabric that is used for climbing. In the class, you will learn different types of climbs, ways to wrap yourself in it, and practice slides and drops. 

Watch a video here

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Trapeze

A trapeze is an aerial apparatus made of two ropes and a horizontal metal bar. There are different types of trapeze skills:

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Fixed trapeze 

Also called Static Trapeze. Fixed trapeze hangs from 2 rigging points and is usually set at a fixed height. More stable, it can be used to practice more dynamic skills.

Watch a video here

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Swinging trapeze 

A single trapeze hangs from 2 points. Swinging trapeze is like a giant swing that can be used to perform spectacular tricks high up in the air. (note that we do not currently offer swinging trapeze at the Hub). 

Watch a video here

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Dance trapeze

Hanging from a single point, a dance trapeze is often used closer to the ground to mix dance elements like spinning. It often involves lots of wraps in the ropes.

Watch a video here

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Duo trapeze 

A fixed trapeze used by 2 people at the same time, to create interesting intertwined choreography, and exciting lifts and catches.

Watch a video here​

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Aerial Hammock

Made of the same material as Tissus, except the two ends are hung from a single point like a sling.

 

Aerial Hoop

Also called Lyra, or Cerceau (French for hoop). An aerial hoop is a circular metal bar, often hanging from a rope. Great for tricks showcasing flexibility, and rolls. Like dance trapeze, it is often used closer to the ground for spins and swings, and dance choreography.

Watch a video here

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Aerial Rope

Also called Corde Lisse (French for rope). Rope is a vertical apparatus similar to tissus. As it is less stretchy than a tissus, more dynamic skills can be performed, such as beats and catches.

Watch a video here

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Aerial Straps

Straps are made of 2 handloops hanging from one rigging point. They are mainly used to perform tricks that require strength (similar to rings in gymnastics).

Watch a video here

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GROUND-BASED SKILLS

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Hand Balancing

The art of balancing on your hands (or on your head). Sometimes, handstands are performed on chairs (chair stacking) or hand balancing canes. Some performers also mix contortion in handstand.

Watch a video here

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Tumbling

Also called Floor Acrobatics. In circus arts, floor acrobatics expands on the floor skills in gymnastics to also includes "soft acro", which incorporates dance to create smooth and flowy acrobatics. In our classes, we teach drills to progress towards somersaults and handsprings, as well as soft acrobatics.

Watch a video here

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Contortion

The traditional art of body bending. Performers use their flexibility to create impressive and original choreography. It often incorporates hand balancing. In our classes, we teach our students all the basics to build flexibility and strength to safety practice contortion. Beginners are welcome!

Watch a video here

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Juggling

Juggling can be practiced with a variety of objects, such as balls, clubs, diabolos, rings, scarves, cigar boxes, staff, etc. It is also often mixed with balancing on objects which is called Equilibristics, like tightwire, rola-bola, or globe. 

Watch a video here

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Hula Hoop

Hula hoop is a type of manipulation skill. Hoops are used for spins, rolls, throws, isolations, etc. 

Watch a video here

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Adagio

Also called Hand-to-Hand or Partnered-acrobatics. This circus skill is practiced in pairs or in bigger groups and involves lifting, carrying, and balancing each other's body weight. There are various types of hand-to-hand depending on the size of the group, or type of tricks (for example, slow/controlled skills and counter-balancing, vs dynamic skills).

Watch a video here

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Chinese Pole

A Chinese pole is a vertical pole covered in rubber that is used for climbing and performing acrobatics. In some case, it can be hung from a rigging point (swinging pole). (Please note that we do not currently offer Chinese pole).

Watch a video here