Lifestyle
Roll-up, roll-up, it’s circus season! Which means a decadent display of jaw-dropping tricks, belly laughs and a show like no other is coming your way.
But what happens behind-the-scenes? And is there a way that you can incorporate this phenomenon into your everyday life?
Discover the secrets of the circus...
LEARN THE ROPES
Even though watching a circus act can be entertaining, what if you could be part of the show? Mix up your usual workouts with something a little more extravagant...
Do you want to achieve the spectacular? Perhaps you’d like to try balancing on a tight rope. What about juggling? Hula hooping or the diabolo? School of Larks offers classes for circus goers and exercise enthusiasts.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner – a ring master must start somewhere.
• Book your first-time taster session for free. Visit: schooloflarks.com
Fly through the air like never before and test your core-strength to the max.
Circomedia runs adult aerial silk classes for all.
Using two hanging strips of fabric, climb, twist and suspend yourself high above the ground.
Once you’ve got the hang of that, you can try poses, drops and swings – the ultimate wow factor. You’ll be a master in no time.
• Prices start at £48, in four to six week blocks. To book please visit: circomedia.com
It’s time to rewrite the stars with this activity – why not add this to your hobby list? Forget hula hooping, as you’ll be relying on a hoop suspended in the air to perform this trick. And there’s music involved, too.
Balance your body on the hoop, while curving your arms and legs through it as well. Stretch, swing and hang – don’t forget to point your toes, too. It’s a great way to improve your flexibility, strength and show off to your friends.
See the world from upside down.
• Aerial hoop sessions £10. See: birminghamdanceschool-cirquelamour.com
Five questions with... ZANNAH CHISHOLM, CEO OF CIRCOMEDIA
Circomedia is a centre for contemporary circus and training in the UK.
• To see more please visit: circomedia.com
When you watch the circus, you feel part of a community supporting the performance. Circus shows are entertaining and surprising in equal measure and the raw physicality of the performances are a great way to counterbalance digital overload and the mundanity of everyday life.
Circomedia runs weekly classes and one-off workshops for adults ranging from flying or static trapeze, to acrobatics or handstands to silks and rope or aerial hoop.
There are classes for you if this is your first time having a go or if you want to improve your technique.
The contemporar
