Posted on

Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong – Aerial Arts Academy

Ceiling height:   approximately 13 feet tall

Address:           G/F Capri Building, 130 Austin Road

Cost:                  300 HKD for a 1 hour drop-in

E-mail:               info@aerialartsacademy.com

Rigging:

In plain sight, the rigging points are bolted to the ceiling as there are no beams to support the rigging.  There are 4 screws bolted to the rigging plate.  Strongly recommend using the crash mat as the floor is polished concrete.  Crash mats are thin (about 3-5 inches thick).  Space is 18 x 20 feet.  Since the building is concrete, the company tries to maximize the number of rigging points (there are at least 6 points) and makes sure that the dancing poles are not in the way.   For such a small space, they can fit so many equipments.

Review: 

When I booked this class via e-mail, the response was quick and they were accommodating when I wanted to pay cash.  I took two silks class: A beginner class with Kathy and an all-level class with Stephanie.   The classes are in English and the warm-up was good.  We did a yoga-like workout, with some mobility and stretching exercises and then warm-up on the equipment.

It has been many years since I’ve been to Hong Kong.  Back then, the highest height in Hong Kong for an aerial class was 11 feet.  So, 13 feet is an improvement.  In addition, the real estate prices in HK is so insane that I’m lucky that I’m only paying about $50 Canadian for a 1-hour class.  I would hate to think what the cost of classes in Hong Kong will be like in 10 years.

An hour class is quite short.  After half an hour warm-up, plus skills.  Cooling down will only be 5 minutes and includes the time we have to put away the equipment.  Since many of the students are experienced, the instructor maximizes the time by teaching a short sequence after a review of moves and gives time for students to figure the sequence out.  The classes went well, but I’m more concern about the mats being too thin for less experienced students.  Especially, when the flooring is concrete. 

Posted on

the only thing is constant is change

This article was originally a review for Kaicetos Circus in the Dominican Republic.  A few of my students really like Paul who ran the school for many years.  When I was finally available, I thought the beach and sun would do me good and decided to check out Cabarete on August 12, 2016.  

Unfortunately, I was too late.  Due to personal reasons, Paul had left Caberete and moved back to the US.  I had arrived in the middle of a transition of ownership.  Some of his instructors were still teaching the classes while one of his students was managing the school before the new owners arrived.

I was able to get a few flying trapeze lessons and silks lessons from the lovely instructors who remain in the Dominican Republic.  This experience reminded me a few things about time:

1) time never waits for anyone

This was on my bucket list for a few years.  I simply waited too long and ended up arriving at the end of the life cycle for Kaicetos Circus.  Definitely a reminder of Carpe Diem.

2) with enough time, sand and humidity can rust any equipment and rot any mats

At the time, the old facility that houses the silks and hoop was getting run down due to weather conditions.  With what I had seen what Mother Nature can do, my fantasy of having a beachside circus studio was shot down by reality.

3) cherish the moment for it will not always happen again 

I thought about how Paul made a positive impact on many circus lovers.  This is a constant reminder of the importance to relish the fragments of joy and happiness. 

In my blogs, the viewpoints that I have with the schools are temporary as there is always a constant change in either instructors, equipment improvements, renovations and etc.   Nevertheless, I feel that there is some benefit in my writing as it will give you a direction to your circus practice.

Keep in mind.  Although a good thing has an expiry date, there is the rebirth.  I read good things about the new school,  Extreme Circus.  Perhaps, one day, I might visit again.