If your fearless kiddos love soaring through the air on swings, consider letting them try flying trapeze or an aerial arts class at the Trapeze School New York. At the school, children can swing high in flying trapeze, fly low in static trapeze, bounce into a somersault on the trampoline, and everything in between.
Though many associate these activities only with the circus, flying trapeze and aerial arts are a great way for kids to move their bodies in a way that’s different—and fun!—from mainstream activities. And, in the process, your young acrobats will develop their mental toughness and emotional endurance as they learn to fly above their fears and soar towards their goals.
We caught up with Nolan McKew, the Trapeze School New York’s Coordinator of Media, Events & Community Outreach Program, to learn more about the school’s offerings and to find out how children can get the hang of flying trapeze and aerial arts in a fun, safe environment.
For someone unfamiliar with Trapeze School New York, how would you describe the school’s mission and core offerings?
At the heart of our school is a desire for greater health: physically, mentally, and emotionally. The flying trapeze is a wonderful tool for learning and practicing many vital elements of health and wellness such as conditioning, body awareness, timing, trust, relaxation, and a belief in one’s ability to do more than one imagined. And static trapeze, Spanish web, trampoline, acrobatics, and silks are great for building overall strength and coordination.
Why is it a good idea for kids to participate in the activities offered at Trapeze School New York?
It’s a great idea for kids to participate in our programs because our students often describe improvement in focus, self-esteem, strength, mood, patience, empowerment, sleep patterns, and even weight loss. And an added benefit: the community spirit shared by our students and staff.
Also, a passion for flying trapeze and aerial arts has proven to be a powerful means of breaking down the barriers we build inside ourselves and between each other. Our programs and curriculum are designed so that our students can discover something new each time they fly.
Which classes are very popular with kids?
All of our activities regularly have participants of all ages. 6 years old is the minimum age to participate and there’s no upper age limit. It’s all about how you feel and how you do with taking direction. Our instructors are fully prepared to give direction that helps you get up to speed in a timely manner so you can accomplish the skills. And all the disciplines we offer can serve as a cross-training activity for each other.
For children who are not athletic, what are some things they can do to prepare for class?
Just come prepared to listen and follow instructions. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to get started with each discipline. With flying trapeze, for example, the very first lesson is really a big game of “Simon Says” where you react to instructions at the moment they’re given. Since it can be a physical challenge for newcomers, I recommend arriving 10-15 minutes before your class time so you can feel calm and collected before getting started, and maybe eat a healthy snack (nothing too heavy, like a granola bar, an apple, etc.) beforehand.
What can kids expect when they take a class?
For flying trapeze, they can expect to go step-by-step through the process of learning about flying trapeze, which includes:
- Info about safety while in our facility
- How to wear the safety belt and climb the ladder with attached safety lines
- How to properly take off from the platform and begin your flight
- The instructions you’ll hear while in the air and what to do when you hear them
- How to land in the net and exit safely
- Demonstrations of each of these steps and any new skills the instructors would like to teach you
For our other classes, students also learn about safety and the beginning steps. Each discipline has a different way of teaching and all the lessons can be adjusted to help individual students develop their understanding so they feel a sense of accomplishment in taking on this exciting new adventure!
Is there anything else you want our readers to know about Trapeze School New York?
We’re a lot of fun with a lot of exciting things to try and very cool people to help you do that. We’ll show you how to do some amazing things, possibly some you never thought you’d be able to do! Every day we have people come in who are afraid of heights and we help them discover that they can do this too! Flying trapeze at Trapeze School New York is actually a great way to approach getting over your fear of heights as we hold you before you leave the ground and guide you through the entire process.
For more information about Trapeze School New York, visit trapezeschool.com.
