Shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints for all circus artists. From minor niggles to major injuries, we will discuss the main reasons they happen. We’ll start by discussing the basics of how shoulders work to provide us with maximum mobility while still protecting the joint. Then we’ll figure out the common way things can go wrong and then moving into how to prevent them. We’ll finish with some of my favorite exercises for shoulder health and longevity. You’ll come away with a better understanding of how to prepare your shoulders for safe strong movement and improve your mobility in the process.
Harness the power of the most up to date sports science to understand how to focus and structure your training to improve your performance and prevent injuries. We will answer common questions including (but definitely not limited to!); What is the best way to warm up and why is it important? How can reach my goals? How should I prepare for an upcoming performance or workshop? What should my daily/weekly/monthly training look like? And of course answer any questions you have along the way!
Let’s talk about how the body changes after a break from your circus training and what you can do to safely return to doing all the things you love. Whether you have stopped training due to injury, life changes, or illness this course is for you!
Hanging may sound like a simple building block of movement but holding an artist’s full body weight at end range of motion is a challenge for any shoulder.
Through lecture, practical examples, and guided case studies you will:
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Prerequisites: Solid background in shoulder anatomy and a desire to work with circus artists
Aerial artists spend a lot of time with our arms over our heads, which can lead to pain and injury. Our shoulders are the most mobile joint in our bodies and our greatest aerial tools, but also the part of the body that is most at risk among aerialists.
This class focuses exclusively on the shoulder: the bio-mechanics of how it works and how to use it safely through its full range of motion. Learn the best techniques for hanging, smooth inversions, and levers, as well as the secrets of one-arm skills.
* If you’re interested in this workshop and “Hips Don’t Lie” you might just want to book the intensive training “Work With Your Body: Practical Anatomy for Aerial Artists”. These two workshops can be stand alone sections as requested but are built in to the intensive.
When you’re suspended in the air, the only thing you can count on is your core. This class explores the point where all of our aerial movement begins, and helps you understand the biomechanics and sequence of your trunk muscles and hip joints.
This class will help you build functional strength and flexibility, deepen your splits and straddles, invert with more ease and grace, and prevent common hip injuries and back pain
* If you’re interested in this workshop and “Hanging Tough” you might just want to book the intensive training “Work With Your Body: Practical Anatomy for Aerial Artists”. These two workshops can be stand alone sections as requested but are built in to the intensive.
Learn how your core, hips, and shoulders work together to turn your body upside down. Figuring out which muscles are working, when, and why is the goal of this course. We will answer the questions of
Why are inversions hard for me?!?
Why do my hips drop?
How can I work on progressions to make them easier?
When are my shoulders supposed to close?
Once you understand how an inversion is supposed to work, we will discuss common mistakes and how to fix them to make everything from tuck-ups to straight-arm straddle-ups and even levers achievable.
Create plans for your students that allow them to avoid injury and achieve their goals. By understanding the science behind training programs your students won’t fall victim to injuries the week of the show or feeling like they are going to pass out when they run their act. This class explores what the body needs to become a strong, flexible, and dynamic aerialist.
Help your students learn how to recognize the difference between muscle soreness and genuine injury. Learn how to educate them to respond to each and how to help them return to training when they have been away from training. Learn to recognize the signs of concussion and when to seek help.