ALOFTCIRCUSARTS
CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS ARTS TRAINING
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"Just when you think you've challenged your body and know your limitations, leave it to the folks at Aloft to change your perspective."
Recreational Classes...for the daredevil artist in all of us.
(click links below for video demonstrations of pre-reqs!)
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 strength, learn basic aerial vocabulary and hone your aerial awareness.
Static Trapeze makes up the bulk of our trapeze offerings. Static trapeze gives you in valuable foundation that can help you transition to almost any other apparatus and pick it up quickly. From basic skills to thrilling release moves and drops, trapeze will keep you challenged from the first lesson to your advanced practice, building strength symmetrically and quickly.
Single Point Trapeze incorporates dance and floor work with a trapeze that spins and swings. Students in Single Point trapeze must have completed at least Advanced Beginning Trapeze.
LEVELS and PREREQUISITES
ABC: This is the starting level if you have never taken a trapeze class before! Most students stay at this level for 4 classes. You must also take this class to begin lyra or sling.
BEGINNING: Hanging in alignment, tuck/pike to the bar, knee hangs, catcher's hangs, hip hang/front support, sitting on bar, sit to stand, Lean forward/back while standing, Side Star
ADVANCED BEGINNING: 20 sec knee hang, 20 sec two arm hang, Tuck/pike/straddle under the bar with beat (can tag bar), Formal stand with all steps, Hold inverted straddle, Front balance, Six half-beats, Pull over from standing on floor
INTERMEDIATE ONE: Single knee hang, Pull-over from beat, 10 sec one arm hangs, Ankle hang, Front fold to front balance, 1 pull up, 10 1/2 beats, 6 full beats, invert in ropes
INTERMEDIATE TWO: Invert under bar no beat, 5 skin cats, 3 meat hooks each side, Back balance, Toe or heel hang, Beat combo: 1/2,tuck,knee beat, switch hands, straddle, switch hands, pull-over, off back, Back roll sit to stand
Aerial Silks
The silks look beautiful, elegant and effortless but are as hard as it gets! We suggest that students be at a good level of physical fitness before joining this class to get the most out of it. If you are unsure, try trapeze or aerial conditioning first! Students in beginning silks will spend a lot of time just learning to climb the silks, 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, creative positions, and theory, as well as work though exercises to build endurance, discover new movements and build skills into routines.
LEVELS AND PREREQUISITES
ABCs: This is the starting level if you have never taken a silks class before. Most students pass this level in 4-8 classes. You must also take this class if you want to take Beginning Rope.
BEGINNER: Regular climb (to 17 ft), Russian climb (to 17 ft), Hip Key theory (wrap on ground and feel hang), Footlock with hands, Footlock with feet (seated on ground), Inversions on the ground (right/left/center), 6 hangs, Lean forward/back in footlock.
ADVANCED BEGINNER: 2x Straddle Ups (bent arm, bent leg): 1 back to bent arms, 1 back to straight arms; Hip Lock (scissor legs) (R&L); Straddle Climbs (2) → To descend: straddle up to Star Descend, Single Star Drop (R&L), Double Crochet → Batt Hang → X on back → Sit Up → Stand on Tails; Crucifix (R&L)
INTERMEDIATE ONE: 2x Straddle Ups (bent arm, straight leg): 1 back to bent arms, 1 back to straight arms. 1x Straddle Up (straight arm, bent leg), Cross Back Straddle (from dancer locks), 4x Straddle Climbs, Single Crochet (R&L), Knee Climb (R&L), Puddle from Front Dive (from knotted silk), Hip Lock (R&L)
INTERMEDIATE TWO: 2x Straddle Ups (straight arm, straight leg), 1x Pike Inversion (straight arm, bent leg), Straddle Climbs to Top, Flag (3 seconds), Hip Lock (2x per side), 3x Helicopters (one side, proper exit), Puddle from Closed Front Salto, Back Balance (R&L)
Lyra/Aerial Hoop
Lyra provides the full range of dynamic movement--it spins, swings and circles as you flow from one gorgeous pose to the next...but that's not all! At Aloft we teach exciting dynamic skills so you don't have to be bendy to fall in love with lyra!
LEVELS AND PREREQUISITES
BEGINNING: Lyra requires completion of ABCs Trapeze. Many of the fundamental concepts of lyra can be developed in trapeze, thus ensuring that the class continues to progress together without having to repeat the basics.
ADVANCED BEGINNING: Working knowledge of beginner level skills (ie: lion in the tree, man in the moon, candlestick, beats), Tuck under the top bar from, sitting on bottom (light tagging ok), Come down from under top bar to sit cleanly, Pull Over, Ten Tuck Ups, Pull up to seated from hanging on top bar. Click for video.
INTERMEDIATE ONE: Demonstrated knowledge of advanced beginning skills skills (ie: monkey roll, meathook, shoulder stand), Demonstrated ability to move with a moderate or slow speed spin, 1 hanging from top bar, pull up back to sit, 1 clean deadlift straddle up, straight legs, bent arms, 3 Clean pull overs, 15 tuck ups. Click for video!
INTERMEDIATE TWO: Demonstrated knowledge of Intermediate 1 skills and Instructor permission. Dead hang chin up to clean pull over. 3 pull ups. Comfortable working high in the ropes on single and double point. Elbow hang with consecutive switches. Back elbow hang. Clean straight arm straddle up with a spin. Controlled lower down. Comfortable moving in a fast spin. Click for video.
Rope
Silks too dainty for you? Maybe you should try rope? Rope is like silks' cooler, tougher older sibling. Rope combines dynamic, momentum-based movements with intricate pathways and wraps. On rope you can be a cowpoke or a wizard, magically tossing the rope just into place with a flick of the wrist, then pirouetting effortlessly back to earth.
LEVELS AND PREREQUISITES
BEGINNER: requires completion of ABC silks, as many of the fundamental principles of rope can be more easily achieved on silks at the Intro level. thus ensuring that the class continues to progress together without having to repeat the basics. Regular climb (to 17 ft), Russian climb (to 17 ft), Hip Key theory (wrap on ground and feel hang), Footlock with hands, Footlock with feet (seated on ground), Inversions on the ground (right/left), 4 hangs.
ADVANCED BEGINNER: 2x Straddle Ups (bent arm, bent leg): 1 back to bent arms, 1 back to straight arms; Hip Lock (scissor legs) (R&L); Straddle Climbs (2) → To descend: straddle up to Star Descend, Single Star Drop (R&L),
INTERMEDIATE ONE: 2x Straddle Ups (bent arm, straight leg): 1 back to bent arms, 1 back to straight arms. 1x Straddle Up (straight arm, bent leg), 6 solid bell beats, 3 solid pike beats.
Lyra is fun, challenging and a little bit painful. The aerial hoop is like a playgound of possibility and movement...it swings and spins and circles while you move from pose to pose in, on, under and above the apparatus. Prerequisites: one session of Trapeze, Silks or aerial conditioning.
Tightwire
BEGINNING: This class is designed for those with limited or no experience on the wire. Emphasis will be on mastering fundamental technique necessary for simply balancing. Other basic skills covered include walking forward and backward, turning, kneeling, and lunging. You will be asked to strengthen your mind as well as your body. Develop core postural muscles you never even knew existed and challenge your mind to be present in every step across the wire.
INTERMEDIATE: This class is designed for those with a basic knowledge of wire technique (forward and backward walking, turning, lunging, kneeling) and ability to successfully execute these skills most of the time. We will explore elements of Wire Dancing; faster and more complicated footwork, jumps, and partner work. If you can do it on the ground, you can do it on the wire, or at least you can try.
*All wire classes require soft full soled dance/acro shoes. Leather or suede soles are preferable to rubber as the techniques used require sliding across the wire. You may wear socks or ballet shoes.
Stretching and Contortion
Beginning Stretching and Flexibility: Really want that split? Or just to touch your toes? This class will get you there. The class will combine active and passive stretching, partner work and resistance to help you reach your flexibility goals. This class has no prerequisites and is a great starter class.
Contortion: Taught by our Mongolian Contortion Master Teacher Oyuna Yadamjav, you will be challenged and stretched like never before. This class is for students who are serious about flexibility as a professional goal.
Straps
`Straps will get you buff like nothing else! Similar to the men's rings in gymnastics, but more artistic and asymmetrical, straps will challenge those who thought they were strong!
BEGINNING
Focus is on very basic conditioning, and tricks such as double wrap(anatomy pose) front balance, sailor, meat hook, half straddle (ball buster), straddle up, skin the cat
Pre-reqs: inversion under an aerial apparatus OR instructors permission, holding the top of a pull up for 5 seconds
ADVANCED BEGINNING
Beginning of class has an emphasis of conditioning and technique. Tricks introduced are at the level OF side balance, shoulder stand, one arm nutcracker, flag drills, switches
Pre-reqs: Straddle up, arrow to straddle, skin the cat without a spot, meathook without a spot, ability to do beginning level skills proficiently
Sling/Hammock
Round these parts we like to call it the "squishy trapeze". If trapeze is too painful and silks are too much on your upper body, you might want to check out a sling class! While in our upper level sling classes we get pretty nitty gritty with the tough stuff, our beginner level is one of the most accessible aerial classes that we offer. Start here to get your confidence up for silks or trapeze--its like the had a baby!
PREREQUISITES
BEGINNING
Beginning level sling requires the completion of ABC Silks or ABC Trapeze.
ADVANCED BEGINNING
Static warm up materials - front balance, front balance rocks (“tippy birds”), star/back balance, self-spotted single knee hang, catapults, standing inversion/tuck rocks).
Dynamic warm up materials - hollow beats, pike beats, plank beats, Froggy beats, crochet beats.
Drops - forward salto, off the back, the concept of “strike.”
Wraps - familiarity with (at least one way in and out of) infinity belt, waist wrap, harness.
Other - comfortability working on a sling hung over head height, ability to invert from standing in the sling.
INTERMEDIATE 1
Static warm up materials - everything from advanced beginning plus single knee can can/ronde de jambe, Russian roll, serpent back balance roll to hip hang, front balance to fake arm breaker, tuck rock/pike arrows.
Dynamic warm up materials - everything from advanced beginning plus hollow beats from hanging/drop down to crucifix, reaching up above the feet out of crochet beats.
Drops - everything from advanced beginning plus storm trooper, bomb drop.
Other - invert from a bent arm hold, ability to hold a straddle in the air.
*instructor permission required before moving into this level, drop ins/visiting students may be approved on a case by case basis.
INTERMEDIATE 2
Static warm up materials - everything from intermediate 1 plus slide back to ankle hang from sitting, rock and roll pop to back balance, meat hook drills.
Dynamic warm up materials - everything from intermediate 1.
Drops - plinko (off the back/forward salto), crunch wrap (off the back/infinite forward roll/reverse roll to front balance).
Other - strong enough strike to stop in straddle.
*instructor permission required before moving into this level, drop ins/visiting students may be approved on a case by case basis.
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. An instructor will lead you through cardio, strengthening and flexibility exercises on the floor and in the air. You’ll be smiling as you limp home. Aerial Conditioning and Technique is available at as a drop in class or your can buy a class card.
Vertical Conditioning focuses on Rope and SIlks specific conditioning.
Bar Conditioning focuses on Trapeze and Lyra specific conditioning.
There are no Prerequisites for these classes. They are a great place to start.
Handbalancing
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 handstand. Come join in the fun as we learn to defy gravity one inversion at a time.
PREREQUISITES
BEGINNER: None. This is a great starter class.
ADVANCED BEGINNING: Comfortable kicking up to handstand without a wall or spotter, even if you can't hold it.
INTERMEDIATE: Can hold a free handstand for 10 seconds.
