Teaching everything under the banner of aerial fitness, Circus Hub have made a name for themselves giving lessons in aerial hoop, silks, trapeze and sling and rope. But what first attracted them to this unusual hobby? And how can you have a try? We chat to Circus Hub’s Ria Ashcroft and Kay Monrose about cirque du soleil, the adrenaline of being high in the air and increasing your flexibility…
What do you get up to at Circus Hub?
Kay: We teach aerial circus classes - aerial hoop, silks, trapeze, sling and rope - and we’ve got an extensive schedule for both adults and younger people. We also have a mum and baby aerial class for new mums and babies wanting to do some aerial yoga, and babies get to fly in the slings!
Ria: We also perform and do workshops at festivals and events, which is always fun. It’s great to see new people have a go at circus things for the first time, there’s something for everyone.
When did you start Circus Hub, and what’s your background?
Kay: I’m mostly self-taught, I just joined a class with a friend and never looked back. My confidence grew massively, I think it has really helped me mentally and physically grow into the person that I am now. I never would have thought that this is what I'd be doing as a job. I've even been over to Australia to do a circus beach camp course with an ex cirque du soleil performer.
Ria: We started Circus Hub around five years ago, we'd been teaching at some other local studios and training and performing together for a while before then, and we both wanted our own dedicated space to do what we love. I’d previously done a Circus BTEC course in Sheffield when I learnt everything involved in being a circus artist. We both naturally got into teaching as we both have that passion for showing people this amazing skill, and Circus Hub grew from there really, it’s our baby. We've got so many plans for the future and growing the business to offer more too.
It’s something a bit different to your normal exercise, a bit more creative and something you can grow and develop
What attracted you to aerial fitness, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Kay: I think we both got attracted to it as a fun way of keeping fit and expressing yourself. It’s something a bit different to your normal exercise, a bit more creative and something you can grow and develop.
Ria: I enjoy the challenge and achieving things you didn’t think you’d be able to do. The adrenaline of being up high and taking risks, becoming stronger and more flexible. There are big mental health benefits to it, and it really does keep me sane at the moment.
If people don’t know anything about aerial, who are some top contemporary performers we should be checking out?
Ria: Sarah Bebe-Holmes, Shannon Mckenna and Samara Casewell are all doing great things and are definitely worth checking out, and all of our instructors are kick ass aerialists!
Kay: In terms of companies I’d recommend looking at 7Fingers, Mibre, Ockhams Razor, Gramophones Theatre.
How do you see the popularity of circus skills and aerial evolving? Are a broader selection of people getting involved?
Ria: It is generally getting more popular as a way of keeping fit for sure, and we are a very accessible studio and offer classes to a wide range of individuals. We also do bespoke private classes for peoples’ individual needs, and for things like hen and stag dos or birthday parties. We are a very friendly studio, it’s our dream to create a vibrant welcoming circus community in Nottingham, and we pride ourselves on the growing community we already have and hope that we continue to grow.
What are the fitness benefits of aerial?
Kay: There are many many benefits to aerial, for one it is great for your blood circulation and heart to go upside-down, it is a great core exercise, using your own body weight. You can see massive differences over just a few weeks of classes as you start to use muscles you never knew you had. Your grip strength vastly increases as you have to hold yourself up and you can increase your flexibility massively too.
Ria: And then there’s the general endorphins you get with exercise, but at the same time you’re achieving something and making amazing shapes in the air!
What would you say to anyone considering giving aerial classes a go?
Ria: Come join us and try it out - we love teaching our beginner classes, getting new people excited about aerial, and making it their new hobby. Absolutely anyone can come and have a go, and it’s really easy to book online through our website. Our beginner classes are Thursdays at 6pm.
You’ve mentioned performing at events and festivals, where can people expect to see you about and what can they expect?
Kay: We’re often outside in Sneinton Market near Blend café on our small outdoor rig practising in the sunshine on Sundays.
Ria: We are going to be performing and teaching aerial and circus skills workshops at Chillifest on July 9, plus we are planning a Circus Hub Student Showcase and Cabaret, which will be our first showcase since the pandemic and it will also be our biggest to date later in the year.
Finally, what advice can you give to anyone wanting to run away and join a circus?
Ria: Go do it! Start coming to classes and learning the skills. You can even do a degree in circus in some cities around the UK now… we think it’s a great career choice.
circushubnotts.com
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