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Circus classes give students adrenaline rush
Camaraderie: Members of the Sangkar Tari circus class Ivana Dwitiya (left), Patricia June Lewi (center) and Dyan Larasati pose together for a photograph in the middle of practicing their moves
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amaraderie: Members of the Sangkar Tari circus class Ivana Dwitiya (left), Patricia June Lewi (center) and Dyan Larasati pose together for a photograph in the middle of practicing their moves.
Performing acrobatic moves while being suspended on an aerial hoop is not for the faint of heart.
Yet Miyane Soemitro, a 40-year-old woman who lives in Bintaro, South Tangerang, said she felt there was a challenge in joining a circus class in a studio in South Jakarta in 2015 upon observing that the class had significantly fewer people compared to the yoga and aerobics clubs there.
“Well, upon signing up for the sessions several times, I have grown fond of the adrenaline rush I always get upon performing these movements; I’ve become kind of addicted to it,” Miyane said.
Miyane is now a certified circus trainer, teaching classes in Sangkar Tari — a different studio from the one where she acquired her skills many years ago — on Jl. Ampera 50B in South Jakarta.
The studio was established by 29-year-old dancer and trainer Dyan Larasati and her fellow trainers in February 2019. Currently, the studio has several facilities like hammocks, aerial silk and aerial spheres in addition to the hoops that students use to practice various movement techniques alongside their instructors.
The studio, which so far has three active instructors, hosts a total of nine group classes a week, from Tuesday to Saturday, with afternoon and evening classes, in addition to private classes as well. The studio now has 50 students in total, with approximately 20 active ones, mostly women but there are also some men.
“Our teaching method is highly individualized as we adjust the movements with each student’s fitness level,” Dyan said.
“At the beginning of our classes, we are always mindful to ask our students on whether they have gone through any injuries lately, so that we can provide special attention to those who have.”
One of the students is Patricia June Lewi, 34, a café owner living in West Jakarta, who braves Jakarta’s notorious traffic once a week to join her favorite classes.
“At first, I was attracted to join the circus class simply because the equipment looked cute,” Patricia said.
“Upon joining the classes for a while, I have begun to be aware of the benefits of performing these feats: It helps strengthen my arm muscles, since you have to rely heavily on your arm strength in order to pull your body to achieve these movements.”
Apparently, the additional strength that these women have gained from the circus classes has also helped them in daily life, such as when they travel.
“Now, I can carry lots of bags while walking when I’m traveling without losing my breath,” Ivana Dwitiya, 34, another trainer with the studio, said.
Likewise, Patricia said she no longer worried about lifting heavy objects — such as mineral water gallons — as she had practiced these movements regularly in the studio, supplemented by her kickboxing and Pilates regimen.
Acrobatic movements in circus also have many variations, offering students infinite challenges to master, which have always made enthusiastic ones come back for more as the continuous learning has given them satisfaction, according to Ivana.
“The biggest satisfaction as a trainer comes from seeing our students becoming stronger and healthier day after day,” said Dyan, who is also a full-time dentist.
Photos JP/Arief Suhardiman
