Trapeze

    Trapeze is the ballet of the air--the fundamental form on which all others are based. Aloft highly recommends (but doesn’t require) beginning your training with at least one session of trapeze classes to build your upper-body, learn basic aerial vocabulary and hone your aerial awareness. Aloft teaches mainly static trapeze technique, but classes sometimes incorporate single-point/dance trapezes.

    In Trapeze One (which runs in 4 week sessions) you will learn essential body positioning and technique, as well as basic (but exciting) skills such as knee and ankle hangs, beats, pullovers and much more. You’ll be hanging upside down by the end of your first class!

    Intermediate and advanced classes (Trapeze 2-4) progress with rope work, creative transitions and advanced drops and hangs, like toes and heels. Each class will challenge you, even after years of training!

Free Trapeze taster classes happen once a month from 11.30-12.30 and 1.00-2.00. Free Silks taster classes happen once a month from 11.30-12.30. They always fill up, so find out the next available date and RSVP by clicking “Email Me” at the bottom of the page.

Aerial Silks and Rope

    Students in beginning silks and rope will spend a lot of time just learning to climb the damn things, and perform basic holds on feet, hips and hands. You’ll learn how the silks behave, and how to control them. You’ll probably be doing the splits within the first month, and that’s always impressive!

    Intermediate and advanced students will learn more complicated drops and creative positions, as well as work though exercises to build endurance, discover new movements and build skills into routines. in the more advanced classes we focus on silks and rope as very separate disciplines and students are encouraged to chose one to focus on.

Aerial Conditioning

Aerial Conditioning is a great class for students at any level. Focusing more on fundamentals and building core skills than on fancy tricks, Conditioning will whip you into shape, whether your goal is to become a top-notch aerialist, or just to make people nervous when you flex. For two whole hours, Elena Brocade will lead you through cardio, strengthening and flexibility exercises on the floor and in the air. You’ll be smiling as you limp home.

Beginning Acrobatics (aka the introduction you always wanted)

Have you ever wanted to learn acrobatics but been shy to try? Now is your chance.  Focusing on alignment, agility and core connection, we will cover partner acrobatics, basic tumbling and flexibility in a safe, non-competitive environment.  Acrobatics is a wonderful base skill to have for all circus arts, a fabulous conditioning tool, an inspiring confidence builder and and a great way to learn to control your body moving through space. Plus, it's a blast! No previous experience required!

Beginning/Intermediate Acrobatics

This class is for people with some experience in tumbling and/or partner acrobatics who want to increase their skill set, improve their technique and get their splits a little closer to the floor.  We will spend time each class on tumbling and flexibility, and also cover duo and group moves, pyramids, and some hand balancing.  

Prerequisites: Instructors Permission

Hand Balancing 101:

I don't know about you, but I love to stand on my hands.  I think it's one of the body's most perfect positions, because when you find the balance, it feels like you are weightless, flying up-side-down.  In this class, you will build strength, body awareness and balance through a series of drills and moves designed to get you closer to a solid hand stand. Come join in the fun as we learn to defy gravity one inversion at a time. 

Prerequisites: One Trapeze I session or equivalent

Theatrical Circus (Circus for Stage, Street and Aspiring Performers)

Circus tricks can be enthralling to watch, and physical theater can take audiences on incredibly journeys woven with movement, gesture and space.  Both rely on the beautiful possibility of the human body.  In this class, we will look for intersections between these arts.  This is not a circus skill building class.  It is for anyone who has some experience in circus arts (acrobatics, aerials, manipulation and juggling, equillibristics...) and wants to combine those skills with physical theater to take their work to another level.  We will draw from storytelling, mime, clown, improvisation, character work and your unique perspective on it all to explore creations of inspired physicality.

No prior theater experience necessary. 

Prerequisites: One 8 week session of a circus discipline

Swinging Trapeze and Cradle Workout

This is a permission only work out for people with previous swinging trap or cradle experience. Please inquire about whether you are eligible for this workout. This is not an instructional class, but a group training session.

Important Information (Neither glamorous or sexy, but really really useful)

What are the dates?

-The 8 week session runs 1/4-2/28.

-The four week sessions are 1/4-1/31 and 2/1-2/28.

How much does this cost?

 

-Trapeze I classes are a 4 week session; cost is $100. If you sign up for both 4 week sessions at the start, you save $20 ($180 for 8 weeks).

         

-Trapeze II, III and IV classes are 8 week sessions: $220/session

         

-Silks I-IV classes are 8 week sessions: $220/session

        

 -Juggling is an 8 week session: $150/session

           You are welcome to drop in for $20/hour or  

            $30/two hours

-Beginning Acrobatics, Intermediate Acrobatics and Theatrical Circus classes are 8 week sessions:

            $220/session

-Hand Balancing is an 8 week session: $200/session

-Lyra I (available to those in Trapeze II or higher) is an 8 week session: $220/session

         

-Aerial Conditioning and Technique remains a drop in--$25/class

            You can also buy an 8 week session--$200/session

        

 -Things on a Line: Professional Development: 8 Weeks/$120/session

         

-Open Gym: Available to those in a level II class or higher--$10/class

          

What if I need to miss a class?

Each student gets one make up in a four week session, and two make ups 8 week session per class enrolled; we are not crazy mean--if something serious comes up, talk to Amanda and we will work with you to make it right. Please schedule your make-ups in advance with Amanda. You may take the same class on a different night or Aerial Conditioning and Technique. Make-Ups must be completed before the end of the session!

So..how do I sign up?

Pick the class or classes you want to take, and email Amanda.

Kindly let her if you want to pay by cash or check at the space at your first class (please note that you must pay by 12/30 to get the below discounts) or if you want to be invoiced through paypal (its so easy!). Also include your phone number!

Please note there is a minimum of 3 people per class, so register early and encourage your friends to do the same.

Where is the fine print?

Right here. If there are less then 3 students in a class, Aloft reserves the right to cancel the class. If a student cannot join another class, their money will be refunded.  

If a student needs to withdraw from a session due to medical or personal reasons (a Doctor's note must be provided), a credit to use in the next session will be issued. No refunds will be issued with the exception of a class cancelation by Aloft.

I really want to take a class in an aerial/circus art not listed and /or I want to take an existing class but I cannot do any of the scheduled times!

Fear not! If you want to take an existing class but the scheduled dates and times don't jive with your busy schedule, we can start a class with as little as three people. Same for a class in a aerial/circus art that is not currently offered! So find two buddies or similarly schedule challenged individuals who will commit to at least a four week session, and we will make it happen!

Got any deals?

As we are the Aerial Circus Training and Class Center of the People--we sure do. If you sign up and pay in full by 12/30, you will get $10 off!

 If you sign up for two classes, get $20 off your total; three classes, $30 and so on.

We are also offering the opportunity to pay for the 8 week session in installments. Two of them to be precise--half before you start (1/3), the remainder half way through. There is a $10 fee for the payment plan.

Private Lessons

Aloft’s trainers teach a lot more than what’s listed above. Looking for aerial hoop/lyra, aerial rope/corde lisse, Chinese pole acrobatics, tumbling, partner acrobatics, hand-balancing, Spanish web, or hammock? Give us a call at 773 782 6662 or send an email. If I didn’t list it, I probably just forgot--if not, we can connect you with someone who does it, so just ask.