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ALL AGES CIRCUS, FLOW ARTS WORKSHOPS FOR YOUR school, EVENT OR ORGANIZATION |
Engaging, Play-based Activities for Children, Adults, Seniors & Organizations in NBCircus workshops, flow arts, poi spinning, bo staff, hula hooping, beginner aerials, acrobatics, prop manipulation classes for fun and fitness. Qualified facilitators available for community bookings in New Brunswick. For safety, social distancing is respected and interactive classes will take place outside when possible.
Inclusive, and highly adaptable for every group or event. No special skills or talents are required to participate - although, our friends and students often discover a fun new hobby and exercise which they choose to continue to enjoy for months and years to come. The pandemic has resulted in a dramatic increase of social isolation, physical inactivity, and mental / emotional health issues in all ages. To begin to address this problem, there is a need for communities to have a supportive venue for healthy creativity, movement, and re-socialization for all age groups. Community-based social circus and performing arts programs provide a uniquely engaging answer which addresses the need for holistic social activity; as well as the opportunity for personal growth and development. |
Social circus programs emphasize physical activity, personal expression, and creative collaboration - all of which create CONNECTION - the antidote for isolation.
Flow arts naturally encourage the development of self-confidence and self-expression through all life stages. They've also been proven to produce measurable improvements in physical coordination, fine motor skills, and spatial awareness - according to published academic research by an American grad student in New Zealand. |
By combining circus arts programming, community performances,and licensed therapeutic approaches all in one venue; GEOMATRIX facilitators offer incredible opportunities for fun, friendship, and personal healing.
MOVEMENT & PLAY are a SOLUTION
for Stagnation, Isolation, Lack of FUN and Lack of Exercise
Bringing Circus Arts Instructors
& the Joy of Flow to Your Community
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• Provides a mobile team to serve as a community circus & performing arts facilitators; and to deliver a variety of programs to enhance and promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being for all ages.
• Established group of performers / educators to deliver programming to urban, rural, and vulnerable areas; and the capacity to travel for programming and performances in communities throughout New Brunswick. • Re-engage youth, adults, and seniors in community-based physical and social activity; identify and work with at-risk populations, and individuals affected by prolonged social isolation. • Educate (through direct experience) the regional population on the mental, emotional, and physical benefits associated with circus arts; deliver activities-based programming designed to reduce stress and enhance playfulness and well-being. |
CONTACT GEOMATRIX TODAY
Click Here to Call Now on Mobile or Fill Out the CONTACT FORM
ENGAGE2PLAY 2021
INTRODUCTION TO FLOW ARTS
Credit: LP Chiasson
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Flow Arts refers to any number of multi-disciplinary activities which enhance well-being by inducing an active “flow state”. They include and overlap fitness activities, cultural activities, and more traditional circus skills such as juggling and acrobatics.
Examples of flow arts include, but are not limited to: poi, staff, hula hooping, flower sticking, baton spinning, juggling, dancing ribbons, etc. The basic commonality between these activities is some combination of skilled tricks, dance or rhythmic movement combined with one or more props. Flow arts are inclusive and holistically beneficial at any age; and can be enjoyed by participants of any fitness level, or modified to accommodate a limited physical range of motion if necessary. |
These modalities can be practiced at beginner to advanced levels (and beyond). In workshops, retreats, or ongoing classes - they can be delivered alone, or combined in various ways to meet artistic, performing, or therapeutic goals. Most importantly, these activities engage the entire neurology in one of the most deeply healing and satisfying things folks can do with their body - PLAY.
Hula Hooping for Fun and Fitness
Hula hooping is much more than the waist-spinning exercise many of us learned as children. In flow arts, one, two, three or more hoops can be used as props for spinning tricks, dancing, juggling, and even lighting on fire. Hoops come in all sizes, and are used in order to dance, spin, and perform beautiful circular patterns. Indigenous hoop dancing is the historical inspiration. Benefits of Hula Hooping Hooping engages the entire body. It’s especially helpful exercise for loosening tight hips and stiff lower backs; as well as strengthening the arms and core. Hula hooping is also one of the most immediately accessible flow arts for adults - since most were introduced to the activity (at least in a limited form) early in life - but never got a chance to experience movements beyond simple waist spinning. |
What is Poi?
Poi is traditionally practiced by the Maori people of NZ. In recent decades, the discipline has been adapted for flow arts and dance and popularized at music and art festivals worldwide. Poi refers to a ball or weight at the end of a rope, chain, or tether; which is spun around the body in circular patterns. Poi spinning patterns can be very simple or highly technical. Benefits of Poi Spinning ‘In 2018, the first scientific study in the world on the benefits of poi was conducted at the University of Auckland by Dr. Kate Riegle van West. Seventy-nine healthy older adults participated in the double-blind randomized controlled trial, and after one month of poi practice, there were statistically significant improvements in grip strength, balance, and sustained attention.’ (See Full Quote). |
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What is Staff Spinning?
There are multiple forms of staff manipulation. Basic staff spinning in the “bo staff” style is a form of martial arts which has been adapted for artistic modern styles. It involves spinning a long staff in patterns around the body. “Contact staff” requires a different style staff which is weighted to remain in flow while in contact with the body. Double staves, or triple staves, as well as baton spinning are all variations. |
Benefits of Staff Spinning
Staff spinning is an excellent exercise for engaging and enhancing the proprioceptive nervous system (how we experience our own body relative to the space around us). It is profoundly useful for the control and elimination of anxiety, anger, and other disruptive emotional states. Staff spinning is a great confidence booster and improves all areas of coordination. |
OTHER INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS
Flexibility and Balance Classes
Michelle is a qualified circus arts instructor will can offer flexibility and balance classes for general conditioning at beginner and intermediate level. These classes are suitable for general fitness, health and well-being at all ages. They can also be specialized for students who are focusing on training for performance.
Michelle is a qualified circus arts instructor will can offer flexibility and balance classes for general conditioning at beginner and intermediate level. These classes are suitable for general fitness, health and well-being at all ages. They can also be specialized for students who are focusing on training for performance.
Beginner Aerial Hoop / Aerial Hammock
Experience the thrill of flying through the air (safely - inches off the ground) in an introduction to aerial hoop or aerial hammock class. With professional quality 'crash mats' in place, this fun workshop is great for kids of all ages who'd like to discover a new way of moving their body and interacting with props. Participants learn: about the apparatus, mounting basics, and beginner friendly forms.
Beginner Acrobatics
Getting loose and limber for beginner-level acrobatics classes makes exercising FUN for children and adults. Gymnastics area a great way to explore dynamic movements. No previous experience is necessary in order to enjoy this combination stretching and basic acrobatic instruction.
Experience the thrill of flying through the air (safely - inches off the ground) in an introduction to aerial hoop or aerial hammock class. With professional quality 'crash mats' in place, this fun workshop is great for kids of all ages who'd like to discover a new way of moving their body and interacting with props. Participants learn: about the apparatus, mounting basics, and beginner friendly forms.
Beginner Acrobatics
Getting loose and limber for beginner-level acrobatics classes makes exercising FUN for children and adults. Gymnastics area a great way to explore dynamic movements. No previous experience is necessary in order to enjoy this combination stretching and basic acrobatic instruction.
Make-Your-Own Flow Toys
Children and adults alike can participate in workshops to construct their own flow toys and performance props with easily accessible materials. Practice staves, poi, and hula hoops are all easily constructed and decorated within a few hours. These workshops can be facilitated within our venue for community members and tourists; or on-location at other communities and events throughout the province. They can be hosted as standalone activities or as part of longer programs which also include instruction and / or performance.
Children and adults alike can participate in workshops to construct their own flow toys and performance props with easily accessible materials. Practice staves, poi, and hula hoops are all easily constructed and decorated within a few hours. These workshops can be facilitated within our venue for community members and tourists; or on-location at other communities and events throughout the province. They can be hosted as standalone activities or as part of longer programs which also include instruction and / or performance.
ENGAGE2PLAY - Community Flow Programs
Creating CONNECTION Through MOVEMENT and FUN
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