From Hoop to High Wire:

What first comes to mind when you think of the word circus?

Is it Barnum-style red and white Big Top tents with parading elephants and sideshow “freaks”? Or the successful international spectacle that is Cirque du Soleil?

In reality, circus encompasses much more than these images as it continues to become a flourishing fitness trend.

Circus training has become an addition to today’s “Instagramable” fitness culture and has seen a rise in the number of recreational classes that have popped up around the country.

Zoë on aerial hoop at Cloud Aerial Arts

Zoë on aerial hoop at Cloud Aerial Arts

Cloud Aerial Arts in Manchester has multiple studios in the city centre, with their main venue located in Piccadilly.

The business has grown and expanded its reach since it first launched in 2017, as its popularity increased and there was a need for more space.

Aerial instructor Megan Price, 34 said: “We were in an old mill back when I started and we’ve managed to grow and build a big community. We’ve moved into this new premises and expanded to another premises on Tib Street. We also have a franchise studio in Stockport.”

They hold classes ranging from pole and aerial hoop to acrobalance and gymnastics, and they welcome all ages and abilities.

This performance art is thought to help improve an individual’s sense of self, enhance social and problem-solving skills, and encourage perseverance.

Price said: “People see Cirque du Soleil and go, 'Oh my god I could never do that,' and I want to tell people yes you can do that and it’s so much easier than you think.

Instructor Megan on Lollipop

Instructor Megan on Lollipop

“I just think it needs to be more in the forefront. The people who know that we exist, they love it here, they come here, we have a great community. I just don’t think people know that you can come to Manchester and you can do these things.”

She said many people often fear joining in with circus classes for reasons such as lack of flexibility, not being the “right size” and not being strong enough. However, she encourages everyone to try it for themselves as it is surprising what you can achieve just by putting in the time and practice.

“It’s not for one type of person. It’s given me a whole new appreciation for my body and what it can do versus how it looks,” said Price.

Aerialist on aerial hoop

Aerialist on aerial hoop

The influence of social media is thought to be one of the main reasons for the growth of circus as the allure of having “likeable” content attracts new members to try it out. This is thanks to the impressive, beautifully filtered photos appearing on social media, inspiring awe-struck people to ask: “how do they do that?”

Perfectly-posed pictures require an extra level of skill on a suspended 25 millimetre metal hoop.

Zoë Mitchell, 34, an aerialist at cloud aerial arts said: “I started about 4 years ago doing hoop first and then I quickly progressed onto silks as well.”

She enjoyed her experience of aerial arts to such a degree that she recently travelled to London to take part in a five-week course where she trained and learned more about the art form.

She said: “I really think it’s getting more out there and more people are getting interested in getting involved with circus.

“I’ve definitely tried to get friends involved that seem interested.”

Emma attending an aerial hoop class at Cloud Aerial Arts

But one big problem still lies in its reputation.

Although more and more people are getting involved, many still view the art form through the lens of preconceived notions of Cirque du Soleil or Disney's “Dumbo".

Adrian Porter, 53, Head of Higher Education Delivery at the National Centre for Circus Arts in London said: “Part of the popularity of circus kind of exploded when Cirque du Soleil exploded onto the map in the 80s and the 90s.

“However we've become a victim of that because they've basically dominated the cultural space, so people don't think of anything else but Cirque du Soleil. That does drive the popularity, but it also stops people from understanding that the industry is incredibly diverse and much much much bigger than Cirque du Soleil.”

As a former head coach for two Cirque du Soleil shows over 10 years, he believes there is some difficulty in trying to break free from the restrictions society has placed upon certain performance arts.

Porter said there’s currently no strong network for circus in this country and the art isn’t supported culturally, financially or politically in the same way theatre, dance and classical music is.

“When we look at traditional circus it's very much about skills, shock, awe, etcetera,” said Porter.

“However, modern circus is actually quite thought-provoking in the same way that contemporary dance wanted to be thought-provoking, in the same way that theatre wants to push the boundaries.

"It's moving away from traditional style and into social commentary.

“It wants to address current issues and to do that it's not just about learning how to do aerial discipline, it's about how to incorporate movement quality, it's about how to incorporate theatre.”

Despite the lack of funding, recreational classes are becoming more and more popular.

And an undergraduate degree in circus arts program at the National Centre for Circus Arts takes anyone selected at an audition, including beginners.

Porter said: “Sometimes it's better if they come without the baggage of gymnastics, without the baggage of dance.

“If you don't come with that ability to create, but you come openly thinking I want to learn, then actually that person tends to learn way faster because they're more receptive, they don't have that hardwired mentality."

For many it’s a great way to keep fit and work on impressive skills. Whether the art form is a lifestyle, a career choice, or something to brag about on social media, circus arts are continuing to be a spectacle for your newsfeed.