28
May/Jun 2015
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various more complicated efforts and at
one point we lay on the ground with legs
perpendicular in the air supporting our
partner who was horizontal with nothing
else to balance them than their hips on
our feet. If that doesn’t sum up this class
then we’re not sure what else we can
add. You’ll be amazed what you can
achieve if you put your mind to it.
Our final lesson was somewhat more
sedate than the others but enjoyable
nonetheless. It’s one that is usually
aimed at children but Bali Circus has
just reintroduced Circus Adult classes
(all classes have specific age groups
in mind) and so they should as it was
an immense amount of fun. Juggling,
spinning plates, diabolo and various
other bits of equipment were taught.
With some patient teaching we were
pleasantly surprised to find ourselves
juggling with three balls before too long.
While our success led to an accelerated
program we couldn’t quite keep up with
it was another trick to put in our box and
we were quick to buy some juggling
balls, just some of the equipment
available for purchase, to practise
our newfound skill. We also indulged
in the diabolo, attempting to get it
spinning, before flicking it into the air and
catching it again. Then we had a crack
at spinning plates – the plastic variety
thankfully as no business would survive
going through the number that hit the
floor during our aborted attempts.
We get the feeling that there’s no
end to Nadia’s talents and no end to
things that she’d love to teach (as we
went to press she announced plans for
dance, yoga and capoeira classes to
be added to the curriculum) but our
time at the circus had come to an end
www.essential-bali.com
DO IT OUR WAY
and we were left to reflect on a series of
experiences that differ significantly from
the norm. It was all immensely enjoyable,
albeit parts of our body that hadn’t
been treated in that way for a long time
did not necessarily agree. Watching the
kids running around in their classes, it
was easy to be envious of bodies more
flexible and less battered than our own.
The smiles on the faces of the children
as they go about learning are inspiring.
Just to make it all even more fun, Nadia
makes her own costumes so there’s an
element of dress-up thrown in as well.
While we were content for our efforts
to be behind closed doors, kids who
indulge on one of the week-long circus
training camps get to show off what
they have learned in a show at the
end of the week so admiring parents
can appreciate what they have been
up to. While we’re sure the kids put
on a great show there’s one person
we really want to see doing her stuff
and that’s Nadia herself with her crew
of talented performers. That’s why
we’ll be keeping an eye on the Bali
Circus website and Facebook page
so we can go and appreciate how
professionals go about doing what we
amateurs can only dream of. Until then
we’ll carry on practising the juggling
and who knows, you might find us
back on a trapeze again before too
long. So why not run away with the
circus yourself – you’ll be amazed what
talents can be unearthed.
We climbed silks, swung on the trapeze,
did acrobatics, learned to juggle and
generally had all the fun of the fair with
Bali Circus. Set in a beautiful garden
in Kerobokan, Bali Circus offers a
welcoming environment for children
to learn through creative expression
in a playful way or for adults to build
fitness and stamina in an arena way
more novel than the gym. We took
drop-in Circus and Acro Sport classes
for 120,000 Rp each and an Aerial
adults class for 220,000 Rp. Packages
are available for regular attendees
and camps are run for children.
www.balicircus.com
+62 (0) 361 900 2655
[email protected]
7
6. Hanging out: An artist at
one of the Bali Circus shows
7. Take it on the chin: More
tricks for the audience