Beginner Circus Classes
These classes are completely beginner friendly. They require NO previous experience, and are open to students of all fitness levels and body types. All of our aerial classes have a student-instructor ratio of no more than 6:1. This small size allows us to work with each student individually, and at their own skill level. These classes accept circus credits.
Tightwire
This class requires a 90min credit type which is different than our regular circus and fitness credits. In this class, we will practice walking on the tight wire. The tight wire occupies a special place in the Western imagination, offering symbolic dimensions unmatched by any other circus apparatus. Students will learn basic and advanced tight wire skills. We start on a low wire (one foot) and slowly walk our way up (six feet). Open to all levels. Thick socks required.
Aerial Yoga
Designed for participants of all fitness levels, this class utilizes an aerial fabric hammock that hangs roughly three feet off the floor for an elevated take on traditional asanas. We swing, sway, breathe, and explore traditional yoga poses with a new relationship to gravity while staying close to the floor. The class begins on the mat, moves to expanded heights, and takes us home to a new sense of center. Beginners to both yoga and aerial are welcome in any aerial yoga class.
All Levels Rope and Spanish Web
This class is suitable for both brand-new and experienced students. Learn rope climbs, foot locks, hand and foot spins, inversions, and static (non-spinning) rope skills. Intermediate students will work on sequencing skills. If a student is strongly averse to spinning, they are welcome to join to learn climbs and static skills only. Spanish web/rope is a suitable stand-alone class, or is a fabulous compliment to silks training. This class is accessible to everyone of all bodies and abilities.
All-Levels Circus
This class is suitable for any and everyone that would like a chance to explore movement and build strength! Depending on enrollment and desire, areas of study may include silks, sling, rope, web, lyra, trapeze, sphere, acro, contortion, partner work, basic juggling and hula hooping, flying pole, or general flexibility/strength/endurance training. New to circus and not sure where to begin? This is the place for you! Finding a hard time squeezing those rare advanced classes into your busy schedule? This is also the place for you!
Beginner Aerial
This class is suitable for both brand-new students and existing students working to further develop coordination and control. Class time will be split between 2 coaches and apparatuses, allowing students to broaden their circus horizons in apparatuses such as silks, sling, rope, lyra, trapeze, and more. Learn something new every week, while also reviewing and expanding upon fundamentals. This class is accessible to everyone of all bodies and abilities.
Beginner Fabric
In this class we will practice fundamentals of silks and hammock vocabulary and body awareness, holding ones bodyweight, basic climbs, foot locks, and simple inversions (tilting the body upside down). Expect to learn short sequences that can be performed at a very low height, as well as body-strengthening exercises to develop a safe and strong aerial practice! Vianna's classes will also include elements of aerial dance and theatrical performance to give students tools for future choreography and performance endeavors! This class is accessible to everyone of all bodies and abilities. Pre-requisites: None!
Beginner Lyra
This beginning lyra class is open to students trying aerial arts for the first time as well as students with some experience! We will warm up together, practice getting onto the lyra, and learn and practice different tricks, skills, and shapes. If there are intermediate or advanced students that want to join the class they'll practice foundational skills with the class before working on other skills. Each class will end with a cool down. This class is accessible to everyone of all bodies and abilities.
Beginner Lyra and Trapeze
This beginning lyra class is open to students trying aerial arts for the first time as well as students with some experience! We will warm up together practice getting onto the lyra and learn and practice different tricks skills and shapes. If there are intermediate or advanced students that want to join the class they'll practice foundational skills with the class before working on other skills. Each class will end with a cool down. This class is accessible to everyone of all bodies and abilities.
Beginner Silks
In this class we will practice fundamentals of silks vocabulary and body awareness holding ones bodyweight basic climbs foot locks and simple inversions (tilting the body upside down). Expect to learn short sequences that can be performed at a very low height as well as body-strengthening exercises to develop a safe and strong aerial practice! This class is accessible to everyone of all bodies and abilities. Pre-requisites: None!
Beginner/Intermediate Silks Sequencing
This class will explore movement through different shapes on a silk. You will explore technique, vocabulary, and creativity! If you already have silks experience, you will explore different approaches to moving in and out of established skills. Newcomers will learn basic moves as well as safe and comfortable navigation in and out of those moves. This class aims to help you build the creativity, transitions, and endurance for short routines. Pre-requisites: None.
Beginner/Multilevel Sling
For first timers and multilevel students, work on your strength and flexibility with tricks, drops, combos, and aerial dance. Offering modifications, this is a great aerial class for anyone.
Lyra+
Aerial is for all bodies. This class will focus on the Lyra from a plus size coach’s perspective. Our bodies are strong and the mechanics or way a move looks will vary depending on our body’s shape or size. This class will support you in accomplishing skills in a way that takes advantage of your body’s strengths while ensuring you feel supported and safe.
Strength and Flexibility
This class is an excellent choice for students who are brand new to aerial arts or for existing students looking to further develop their strength and active flexibility! We will utilize a variety of aerial apparatuses and props to strengthen and lengthen our muscles. Class material will change weekly but will always include callisthenic exercises and stretches that can be repeated at home. Do you have any specific aerial-related goals? Share them with your instructor and you will receive personalized exercises to target them!
Beginner/Intermediate Lyra
This class is suitable for somewhat experienced aerialists that would like to improve upon stability, understanding, and strength inside a lyra. This class is a great clinic for students who are feeling stuck on particular lyra techniques, such as pullovers, inversions, and rolls. Sequences will be built from a combination of new skills and things learned in beginner lyra. Spinning is encouraged, though not required. For interested students, we may work on the basic techniques of dynamic lyra in order to build the confidence and control to progress to advanced lyra.
Beginner/Intermediate Silks
This class is suitable for aerialists with experience on silks who are looking to improve upon coordination and control. This class is a great clinic for students who are feeling stuck on particular silks techniques such as inversions and hip keys. Sequences will be built from a combination of new skills and things learned in beginner silks.
AcroYoga
AcroYoga is a form of partner acrobatics that is fun and accessible for anyone! It combines elements of yoga, acrobatics and thai massage. No experience is required and you don't need to come with a partner. We work in groups of three: A base, a flyer, and a spotter. We make sure that everyone gets the opportunity to try all three of these positions with each move and we usually shuffle the groups up randomly throughout the class. This class involves physical contact. Open to ages 15+.
Youth Aerial Apparatus
In this class children ages 7-14 will be introduced to aerial silks and occasionally other apparatuses. There is an emphasis on form and safety positive self-talk and supportive teamwork. Students are encouraged to attend the same daytime slot each week in order to make the most consistent and comprehensive progress. This class is accessible to everyone of all bodies and abilities.Pre-requisites: None
Juggling
This fun, laid back class focuses on partner exercises that build coordination, as well as solo exercises to build up to achieving a three ball cascade. More advanced topics can also be accommodated by request. Come alone or with a partner! NO experience (or coordination) required! Intended primarily for adults, but open to ages 14+. If weather permits, we might move outside.
Queer Circus Jam
Welcome to the circus! The second Sunday of each month we host a donation-based space for queer artists and those new to or curious about circus to come explore movement with guidance from two of our super cool queer instructors. Come explore pole lyra sling trapeze silks or take time to work on handstands juggling acro stretching or anything else that strikes your fancy! This space is open to all folks who identify as LQBTQIA non-binary trans and more! We welcome all bodies and abilities. 14+ all bodies welcome no-sign up required no experience necessary. If you create an account on our website you may sign up in advance and will be able to digitally fill out the waiver. If you do not create an account we will need you to come a little early so you can fill out a waiver in person. We can host up to 12 people and we are so excited to see you!
Intermediate / Advanced Circus Classes
These are classes that require some previous experience. Talk to any NOCA instructor, or contact us at (423) 212-6622 if you're unsure whether you qualify.
Beg/Int Lyra Sequencing
A lyra class that’s great for beginner/intermediate students. Also, a good fit for advanced students that want to play with different pathways to foundational skills. We will learn new skills, transitions, and polish up foundational skills through sequencing and creative movement with the hoop.
Aerial Straps
We will lay the groundwork for the fundamentals of working on the straps apparatus. We will work on increasing body awareness, holding our body weight, and making simple shapes look extraordinary. Prereqs: Ability to invert and hold oneself in an invert for at least 15 seconds. Ability to hold one's body weight fully and hold body up in a tuck position with bent arms.
Advanced Silks
This class is suitable for aerialists with substantial pre-existing experience on silks. Endurance and conditioning will be emphasized in this class, with the goal of learning drops and incorporating them into longer, more strenuous sequences than previous silks classes. Students are encouraged to wear unitards/leotards and pants, or tight thick clothing that covers their abdomen and knees.Pre-reqs: strength and vocabulary to stay in air for 5 minutes
Open Gym
Open gym is a time for students to practice moves they have learned in class. It's also a great way to meet the other Night Owls and make new friends! Teaching or skill sharing during open gym is not allowed. Trying moves that you found online or that you haven not yet learned from an instructor is not allowed. You must have taken at least 10 classes in the specific apparatus you'd like to use.
Hoop in Heels
This class is an opportunity to explore sensual movement with lyra. After warming up, we will start with a self-guided movement between the floor and the hoop and end with choreo adding our personal flair and spice. This class is great for folks with pole in heels experience or who have taken 2+ lyra classes. All bodies of any gender identity are welcome! Knee pads are encouraged and heels not required.
Nutcracker Pasta Rehearsal
Exploration of sequencing, performance quality and skills, and creative expression for SEND NOODS act in Nutcracker After Dark.