Resources
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What you wear to circus class is a matter of safety, proper focus on skills and technique, and injury prevention.
No jewelry, buttons or zippers on clothing is allowed on equipment.
Ideally your circus outfit will be tight leggings that cover the backs of your knees (but do not cover your feet) with a leotard or tank top (that won’t move!) when you flip upside-down! If you are wearing a tank top or leotard that does not cover your arm pits you may want to have a tight fitting tee which covers your armpits to put on to execute some skills. Clothes should be form-fitting so that nothing will get twisted up in the silks or equipment! Form fitting clothing keeps you safe, encourages good technique and minimizes distractions.
You can buy a leotard for under $20, available online at Discount Dance Supply and many other local dance stores. Dancer’s Image in Newton. Capezio in Wellesley. We also recommend buying inexpensive tights and cutting off the feet to wear as leggings. You do not have to spend a lot of money on this. Since we do so much barefoot work in the studio, clipping your toe nails and keeping your feet clean helps keep our equipment stay clean and our aerial fabric without snags and holes.
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Belly Dance Classes are conducted barefoot or with dance paws if you prefer. No street-shoes allowed.
Wear comfortable workout-like yoga attire you can dance and sweat in.
Hip-scarves, finger cymbals, veils and tambourines are all provided for in-class use.
You only need to bring yourself and your smiling hearts!
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Here are some of our favorite at-home workouts that will help you in your circus journey!
#1 Our top choice of at-home workout for any aerialist is getting a pull up bar! You can practice let downs and shoulder shrugs to build up to your first pull up - as well as do a lot of hanging core exercises to help build core and hip flexor strength which are so important for strong lines and circus skills.
#2 Core workouts! You can find some of our MSC core classes ranging from 3-20 minutes on our VIMEO page. We also are big fans of Cirque du Soleil performer Elizabeth Williams’ workouts which you can find here on this page.
#3 Cross Train! Find another activity you enjoy. Many of our. students also practice rock climbing, dance, pilates, boxing, running, and various other activities!
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*Please note we are not associated with these companies in any way other than being happy customers.
CIRCUS:
* NYC based Brian Dubé is always a good place to start your search for juggling and object manipulation items.
* We liked to start our circus kids on their plate spinning journey with Mister Babache flexible spinning plates - they are somewhat softer than hard plastic spinning plates and great to learn on.
We have found them at:
For at home training pull up bars are amazing. It can also be helpful to have a few yoga blocks on hand. Yoga blocks can be found at your local target/TJ maxx/ Marshalls.
If your doorways are not conducive to installing a pull up bar, we have found the company Base Blocks makes similar freestanding structures.
* Post COVID-19, everyone who likes grip aid needs to have their own bottle of sticky spray. We no longer offer bottles for communal use. You can find Tuf-Skin spray, made by Cramer, on amazon and also on the Aerial Essentials website.
* Belly Dance Resources can be found on Melina’s Tips From The Hip instagram page.
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Open studio sessions are by invitation only.
Typically invitations are given to students who
* are actively/regularly attending classes
* have demonstrated good instincts and habits in skill practice that we can trust will be maintained in independent practice.
* have registered for a private lesson to talk about limits and setting goals!
What we look for: listening to your body, resting when your grip is struggling or tired, not taking chances, understanding safe resting poses in the air, being able to maneuver slowly through sequences/skills, ability to remember wraps.
Safety is our top top priority, especially as we get to know new students in this new setting and circumstance!
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*Please note we are not affiliated with these companies in any way other than being happy customers!
Please remember that zippers, buttons, and jewelry can be very damaging to our equipment.