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.
Teen Aerial
A class for teenagers to work through various circus disciplines with coach Gracie! Class will cover a variety of aerial apparatuses, such as silks, trapeze, sling, and lyra. Class will also help teens build confidence, body awareness, and attention to flexibility and strength. For ages 12 through 18. No previous experience required.
All Levels Trapeze
This class is suitable for all skill levels - whether your first time in a circus class, or a student with 1000 lessons under their belt, you are welcome here! Trapeze was the first apparatus coach Sam learned, and she believes understanding trapeze enhances performance on all other aerial equipment. Class material will be custom-suited every week to the students registered, and may include conditioning, individual skill-building (below the bar, seated, standing, and in the ropes), spinning or swinging on dance trapeze, synchronized or weight-sharing skills on triple trapeze.
All-levels Fabric - Silks and Sling
In this class, we will practice fundamentals of silks and sling 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 Aerial - Sling week 1
This class is suitable for both brand-new students and existing students working to further develop coordination and control. Class time will be used to explore multiple apparatuses, allowing students to broaden their circus horizons in apparatuses such as sling, rope, lyra, and trapeze. Learn something new every week, while also reviewing and expanding upon fundamentals. This class is accessible to everyone of all bodies and abilities. We will rotate apparatuses every 3 weeks, so please note the title of the class, as it will reflect which apparatus we work on!
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 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.
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.
Sling
In this class we will practice fundamentals of sling vocabulary and body awareness, holding ones bodyweight, basic mounts and inversions (tilting the body upside down), and a range of skills for moving in and on the fabric. 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!
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 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.
Lyra+
Aerial is for all bodies. This class will focus on the Lyra from a plus size coachs perspective. Our bodies are strong and the mechanics or way a move looks will vary depending on our bodys shape or size. This class will support you in accomplishing skills in a way that takes advantage of your bodys strengths while ensuring you feel supported and safe.
Youth Aerial Apparatus
In this class children ages 7-12 will be introduced to aerial silks as well as a variety of other apparatuses including but not limited to: lyra trapeze rope wheel and basic tumblingpyramids. 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
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.
Intermediate/Advanced Lyra
This class is suitable for aerialists with pre-existing experience on lyra. Students are expected to be self-motivated and willing to do challenging conditioning exercises, as dynamic skills that require spotting from a coach will be introduced regularly. Release moves/drops will be introduced, but for students who are averse, we will also introduce various rolls, balances, and longer sequences built from beginner/intermediate material. Prereq: Pull-up, and working toward pull over mount, in addition to knowing other ways to mount a lyra.
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.
Intermediate Lyra Exploration
If you are a current NOCA student, please check in with Caroline to get approval for this class!A lyra class for intermediate and advanced students who love technical puzzles, creative movement, and exploring new pathways. We will build on foundational material from beginner classes, work on fundamental dynamic skills, and learn how to play and create. Each class will begin with a group warm up and conditioning on the lyra. We will then move on to skill building, sequence creation, and exploring technically challenging but creatively exciting new skills and planes of the hoop. Some classes will be serious, some playful, often both. Some classes will be skill-focused, some will be collaborative, and some will be very exploratory. Caroline will offer a wealth of prompts and resources to help you develop your own style of movement on lyra, challenge how you think about this apparatus, and discover new ways to connect with your hoop. Prereqs: double knee hang, ability to hold yourself up with bent and straight arms, multiple entries for mounting the hoop, willingness to push yourself creatively.
All Levels Multi-Apparatus
This class is suitable for all students! Whether you are moving towards advanced skills or just starting out on your aerial journey, this class is for you! Each week there will be two to three apparatuses available to train on. Each student will work on two apparatuses and with two coaches per class. Your coaches will be keeping track of our weekly rotations so every student has the chance to work on each apparatus and with each coach as the weeks progress. Apparatuses include rope, sling, trapeze, and lyra. If you want to take silks, please attend our other silks classes on the same day. Intermediate/advanced students will have the chance to hone their dynamic skills, musicality, technique, creativity, and learn new tricks, climbs, and shapes. Beginner students will learn the basics of each apparatus to form a strong foundation for future classes. There is something for everyone here! Please reach out to us if you have questions; we would love to chat!
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.