Aerial Arts Beginner Class

Price
$30 per guest

Classes are typically 1.5 hours in length and have between 4 - 8 students per class.

Operation
Static Trapeze only
Friday
3pm - 4:30pm

Saturday
12pm - 1:30pm
1:30pm - 3pm

Static / Rope / Tissue
Tuesday
6pm - 7:30pm
7:30pm - 9pm

Wednesday
6pm - 7:30pm
7:30pm - 9pm

Thursday
7:30pm - 9pm

Sunday
12pm - 1:30pm

NOTE: Please pay attention to the above class schedule when choosing a time during checkout.

Aerial Arts Classes in Oakland, CA
You can choose to learn each of the following three aerial arts, or specialize in one:

Static Trapeze
Manipulate your body on and around a stationary bar, hung at various heights. You'll learn positions and tricks, and begin building routines on the trapeze. The class emphasizes strength, conditioning and flexibility. More advanced students will focus on form, style and choreography.

Rope/Corde Lisse
Learn to entangle yourself around a rope while executing various positions, wraps and drops.

Tissue
Climbing, wrapping and dropping on an aerial silk - skills are similar to those used on a rope but even more challenging.

About Us
Have you ever wanted to run away and join the circus? Or maybe you've dreamt of flying through the air or swinging by your knees! Well, we have just the thing for you. Since 1994, our Circus School has been teaching flying trapeze and other circus arts to adults and children of all ages, and is one of only a handful of full time Circus Schools in the United States.

Our classes are unique and exciting, and while most of our students are taking classes for fun, we can and do train those who aspire to a professional career. We currently have students performing for Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey, on various cruise ships, and in other professional entertainment venues. We have shared the art of the flying trapeze with many corporate groups including Microsoft, Google, Mozilla, Clif Bar, Pixar, Wells Fargo, KMPG, YMCA, American Express, and Trefethen Winery. We've also been featured on television shows including the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Mythbusters, Switched, Bay Area Backroads, CBS Morning Show, Evening Magazine, MSNBC and Univision.

We recognize that everyone has the ability to participate in our activities, regardless of size, ability, previous experience or strength. Our students range in age from 2 to 82!

Our mission is to provide an opportunity for any individual to experience and learn aerial and other circus arts in a supportive, non-competitive environment. The goal of this experience is to enrich, enhance and promote personal growth in a safe, fun and friendly atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have never done this before?
Anyone can participate in our classes, regardless of previous experience or abilities. Don't worry that you might not be strong enough. During the class, you will be taught the skills needed. All you need to bring is your enthusiasm and willingness to learn!

Is it safe?
You will be in a harness the entire time you are on the trapeze, and there is always a net.

What will I learn in my first flying trapeze class?
The class will begin with a warm-up/introduction on the low trapeze bar. There you will be shown the first position you will learn - the "knee hang". You will then proceed up the ladder to the flying trapeze platform. During the first part of the class, you will practice the knee hang position for execution and timing. During the second part of the class, if you are ready, you will attempt a mid-air connection, the "catch", with our catcher on the other side of the flying trapeze rig.

What should I wear?
Workout-type clothes - tights, leggings, and sweatpants (if they are not too baggy). Jeans are usually too tight. We discourage shorts because the backs of your knees will be more comfortable on the bar if your skin is not bare. You should wear clothes in which you can move freely, yet they should not be so loose that they get in your way. If you have long hair, tie it back. You can wear socks or be barefoot; no shoes. You will have a harness around your waist, so don't worry that your shirt will fly over your head when you are upside down!

How old do you have to be to take classes?
There are no age limits for any of our classes, other than the children's classes which are age specific. We welcome all adults and children. Our classes are not split by age either, so adults and children can take the same class together. It's a great thing to do as a family!

How high up is the trapeze?
The platform from where you swing is 25 feet off the ground, but you are only 15 feet above the level of the net.