Ya’ll – for real – what a crazy time we’re living through. For so many of us, our circus communities have been a bright spot in a really f*cking dark time. From quarantine creativity to show videos to online classes, our people have DELIVERED! I’ve never been so proud to be a circus artist.

Unless you’ve been taking a big old internet break (I don’t blame you), you’ve probably noticed a plethora of online offerings! If your local school hasn’t gotten some programs onto the interwebs, just wait – they will. The landscape is a-changin’, literally overnight! What should we all keep in mind as we boldly go nowhere in the next few weeks?

Students – Keep THIS in Mind

• Here is the first thing to know. Your teachers are WAY out of their comfort zone. Sure, we’ve taught you conditioning and theory before, but it’s probably been face to face – not speaking to a tiny tile on a computer screen. Go easy on us – we are forging a completely new way of teaching circus literally overnight. We are teaching like our hair is on fire – researching, getting additional certifications, lesson planning, and more. We have to go lie down after every class because teaching this way is new and hard and exhausting and we all feel like we’re failing. Please – PLEASE – go easy on us. Give us a little time to figure out the best way to do this – technology, communication, feedback, format, all of it. If you took a class and it was a little weird, consider popping back in a week or two and see what kind of magic has manifested! Your coaches are magical humans.
• This is a PHENOMENAL opportunity to put some great habits in place. You know all that pre-hab and peanuting and stretching and conditioning you always say you’re going to do? Well… now is the time, people. Most of us are looking to create content that will meaningfully support your aerial goals when you return. Remember that a lot of circus-specific training doesn’t look like your average Daily Burn class (rotator cuff training, anyone?)! Take advantage of this time to heal your body, make progress on your flexibility, and strengthen and condition your little brains out. It’s an investment in your future circus you!
• Go on a cross-country training spree! Who knows how long classes will remain online? Go train with some coaches in Chicago or Seattle or Massachusetts (or New York!!!). While we’re not in our natural habitat, you can likely glean some technique tidbits or a different approach to the work. If you can, get out there and support the circus community across the country!
• DO NOT INVERT ON IN-HOME PULL-UP BARS, EVEN IF YOU SEE SOMEONE DOING IT ON INSTAGRAM. Home pull-up bars, particularly the over-door kind, are not appropriate overhead anchors for inversions. NO. NO. BAD. Use it for pull-ups, leg lifts, all that good stuff, but knock it off with the upside down.
• Remember that, unless you’re training one on one, we probably can’t see you well (if at all). Pay close attention to cues about form and contraindications, and if you’re asking for feedback, make sure you have adequate lighting (it takes more than you think for video).
• Mute your mic when you join, and note the coach’s preference for questions – some prefer that you un-mute yourself and ask, some prefer you write them out.
• Be on time or a couple minutes early! You don’t want to miss anything!
• If you have aerial equipment in your home, I have something potentially controversial to say to you (hear me out). I’m not going to tell you not to train and condition at home. BUT. I just want you to keep in mind that, if you are injured, there will be few resources for you, and you will be contributing to a system in overload. Now is the time for an abundance of caution – an abundance of abundance. That’s all I’m gonna say.

Teachers – This One’s For You

• You’re doing so well. You’re a f*cking rock star. Did you learn new technology overnight? Did you figure out how to take an aerial curriculum and adjust it for online classes? Are you doing all of that while sewing and cooking and homeschooling and tutoring and whatever else it is you generally do in addition to running an aerial school? ROCK. STAR. When you feel like you’re failing, you remember that in the face of a freaking pandemic, you adapted.
• It feels icky for all of us (it’s not just you). We’re all learning, and it’s going to take time to find our groove. Teaching virtually in this way is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SKILL SET. Breathe. Google. Ask questions. Analyse. We’re going to come out of this with some awesome new skills! (it’s so scary though)

Making it to the Other Side

These are uncertain times, but I can tell you this for sure. Your local circus school may not make it to the other side of this without your help. I am of a Certain Age, and I remember a United States without circus schools – it was a decidedly less awesome time. What can you do?

• If you’re able, pay to take online classes at your local studio. Every dollar will go towards ensuring that you have a place to find your circus joy when this is all over.
• If you’re not able to support them financially, support them with your social media! Like and forward posts about their classes, comment, and engage. This makes a difference on every level!

I love this crazy circus community. I’m sending you ALL the love, health, and calm right now. Go forth and circus as much as you can! Love and pull-ups, Laura