Disciplines

Flying pole is a circus discipline performed on a pole suspended in the air. Unlike a fixed pole, the apparatus can move and swing, adding an aerial dimension to climbs, holds, spins, transitions, and dynamic movements. It combines elements of pole, dance, and aerial acrobatics, requiring strength, coordination, balance, control, and body awareness. Flying pole is known for its powerful movement quality and for the unique challenge of working on a moving apparatus.

Dance trapeze is an aerial discipline performed on a bar attached to two ropes, rigged at a single point on a spinner, allowing the apparatus to rotate smoothly in all directions. The performer uses this movement to create fluid, expressive sequences that blend strength, flexibility, and choreography in a continuous, dance-like flow.

Duo trapeze is a partner-based aerial discipline where two performers share a single bar, combining strength, balance, and precise coordination to execute synchronized poses and dynamic transitions. It relies heavily on trust and communication, as both partners support and counterbalance each other throughout the act.

Aerial hammock is a circus discipline performed on a loop of soft fabric suspended from a single point. The fabric supports the body in a variety of positions, allowing the artist to hang, wrap, invert, pose, and move through transitions in the air. It is often seen as an accessible aerial apparatus while still offering plenty of room for technical and artistic progression. Aerial hammock combines strength, coordination, flexibility, and body awareness, and can include both fluid movements and more dynamic skills.

Aerial hoop is a circus discipline performed on a suspended metal ring. The artist uses the hoop to sit, hang, balance, invert, spin, and move through a wide variety of poses, transitions, and dynamic movements in the air. It combines strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and control, while also allowing for graceful and expressive movement. Aerial hoop can include both static positions and flowing sequences, making it a discipline that is both technical and artistic.

Aerial rope is a circus discipline performed on a single rope suspended from an anchor point. The artist uses the rope to climb, hang, invert, wrap, drop, and create a wide range of poses, sequences, and dynamic movements in the air. Like other vertical apparatuses, it requires strength, coordination, grip, body awareness, and control. Aerial rope combines technical precision with fluid movement, and can include both powerful skills and expressive aerial sequences.

Aerial silks is a circus discipline performed on two long pieces of fabric suspended from a single point. Artists use the silks to climb, wrap, hang, invert, drop, and create a wide variety of poses, transitions, and dynamic movements in the air. It is known for combining strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. While it can look graceful and effortless, aerial silks is a physically demanding apparatus that challenges both technique and control.

Aerial straps is a circus discipline performed on two long straps suspended from a single point. The artist uses loops at the ends of the straps to support the wrists and hands while performing lifts, holds, twists, swings, inversions, and dynamic movements in the air. It is a highly demanding apparatus that relies heavily on strength, control, coordination, and conditioning. Aerial straps is especially known for its powerful movements, clean lines, and physically intense style.

Chinese pole is a circus discipline performed on a vertical pole, often covered in rubber for grip. The artist uses the pole to climb, slide, hold, spin, and execute a wide variety of poses, transitions, and acrobatic movements. It combines strength, agility, coordination, and body control, and is known for both its powerful climbs and its dynamic vocabulary. Chinese pole can include static holds, drops, flips, and other explosive movements that make it a highly physical and visually striking apparatus.

Hand to hand is an acrobatic discipline in which two or more partners balance with and on one another. It is often based on the relationship between a base, who supports, and a flyer, who is lifted, balanced, or moved through a variety of positions and transitions. It combines strength, balance, coordination, timing, and teamwork. Hand to hand can be static, focusing on control and held positions, or dynamic, incorporating throws, catches, and more explosive acrobatic movements.

Pole is a discipline that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and strength training on a vertical pole. The artist uses the pole to perform spins, climbs, holds, inversions, transitions, and dynamic movements. It develops strength, flexibility, coordination, control, and body awareness, while also allowing for a strong expressive and artistic dimension. Depending on the style, pole can be athletic, fluid, dynamic, sensual, or performance-focused.

Flying trapeze is a circus discipline where a flyer swings from a trapeze bar, performs aerial tricks, and may release to a catcher or return to the net. It combines timing, strength, technique, and the feeling of flight.