Should I Join the Circus?

Zehpyr Sto

I am thinking about joining a circus because I can do a backflip through a hula-hoop, and much more acrobatic things on the ground and on a trampoline. My step-dad thinks I should, my aunt thinks I should, and almost everybody I know says I should try, but the problem is, I'm extremely shy! I'm afraid that won't think I have what it takes, and I'm just worried about what they'll say. What should I do? Should I at least try, or should I just say forget it?

Answer
It takes a lot more than doing a back flip or simple acrobatics to be accepted by a circus. My FIRST question would be HOW OLD ARE YOU? If you are UNDER 17 then NO circus will hire you until you are at least 17.

Children can no longer just run away and join a circus.. they have all the people they need to water the elephants and clean the animal stalls because there are 10 unskilled people for every job that comes available and many circuses don't even HAVE animals any longer.

To join ANY CIRCUS you will need FORMAL TRAINING... just because you can do a back flip only says you can be TRAINED... The Circus is a BUSINESS... they won't TRAIN YOU unless you can bring some basic talent to the audition.

Here are some recognized CIRCUS ARTS SCHOOLS where you can at least learn enough of the BASICS to apply for an AUDITION to be in a circus..

NOTE: I have not vetted these circus schools, I am merely listing as many as I can find that SEEM to be legitimate.. It is up to YOU to do your own investigations to see if any school will fit your needs. For a COMPLETE LIST of Circus Schools then go to GOOGLE and enter CIRCUS SCHOOLS then follow the links to see what else is out there you may find of use.

BB'S DANCE AND CIRCUS ARTS OF TAMPA BAY
http://bbsdancefactory.com/

CAMP WINNARAINBOW in Leytonville, CA
http://www.campwinnarainbow.org/

CENTER FOR CIRCUS ARTS.. Battleboro, VT.
http://www.campwinnarainbow.org/

DIRECTORY OF EUROPEAN CIRCUS SCHOOLS
http://www.circusland.com/cirken/Circus_schools/

NATIONAL CIRCUS SCHOOL OF CANADA in Montreal
http://enc-live.turbulent.ca/en/home

NEW YORK CIRCUS ARTS
http://www.nycircusarts.com/

SAN FRANCISCO CIRCUS ARTS SCHOOL.. San Francisco
http://www.circuscenter.org/index2.html

SCHOOL OF ACROBATICS AND NEW CIRCUS ARTS.. Seattle
http://www.sancaseattle.org/

SOUTH FLORIDA CIRCUS ARTS SCHOOL..N MIAMI BEACH
http://www.miami.com/south-florida-circus-arts-school-article

TITO GAONA'S FLYING TRAPEZE ACADEMY AND
FLYING FANTASY CIRCUS.. Venice, Florida
http://www.titogaona.com/

Competitive gymnastics+workout tips?

Fell

Okay, so this is rather complicated. PLEASE READ IT. PLEASE. At least answer one of them!!
Problem 1:
My friend, she's 14, is currently on Orange in the CanGym program, or advanced rec. She really wanted to do competitive but she tried out at three clubs and didnt make any of them, not even P1. They all said she wasn't skilled enough and too old, since the lowest level, P1, had kids ages 9-12 at the oldest. Now, because she was rejected, she wants to tryout for T&T but she doesn't know if she's good enough. She can execute all the basics (cartwheel, handstand, walkovers), a roundoff backhandspring with a slight spot, back tuck off a box and back tucks on tramp. In Alberta, Canada, would you think that she would make T&T competitive? And what level, if she did? She really loves gymnastics and was stressing out and depressed about this. Oh, and this really is my friend (no yahoo account), I am a P3 gymnast, but no idea how to help her.
THANKS:)
Problem 2:
Kay, so I, on my coach's orders, have to do a planned workout everyday. Run for 10-20 minutes, increasing either in speed or distance, routine stretch for 15 minutes, a break for 5, 3 sets of 25 push-ups, 30 second break and water, 3 sets of 50 sit-ups, 30 second break, 40 lunges, 40 squat jumps, and a five minute cool down run/stretch. So I am also 14, 5'2 and about 115 pounds. I am now pretty weak and I have a layer of fat due to the fact that I was pulled out of gym for 8 months, which is why I have a workout I need to do. I have been skipping the 10-20 min run cause I live where there are no flat grounds and because it is so icy outside, it is near impossible. Going to a nearby gym doesn't work either cause my parents refuse to take me. So is there anything I can do to replace the run, but still takes the same effect on my body? Same with the 5 min cool down. Also, I have been doing this workout for about 2 weeks but haven't seen any improvements. In fact, I think I am getting more fat and my muscles are staying the same. Why is this? Also, if you have any other workout suggestions (like weights, different sets, diets that would fit my situation cause i am clueless on that, etc.), feel free to suggest them. Don't say that I am already fit and don't need all this, because I do. Strength is essential to gymnastics and fat just slows you down.
THANKS:) sorry you had to read all of this!!
Much appreciated!!

Answer
If you know what these are...
I do...as a gymnast at a level equivalent to level 8 USAG...

100 V-Ups
50 pull ups
50 chin ups
Frog jumps on the vault runway for 10 laps
One legged hops (alternate each lap) 10 -5 laps per leg
Climb the rope
Run a mile (32 laps around the floor)
Handstand push ups (100)
Handstand walks - 2 (go there forwards, backwards on the way back)
Arm dips on the parallel bars (50)
Leg dips of the beam keeping your heel flat (5 laps there and back)
Seal walks (feet on a paper plat in push up position and go forward across the floor and backwards back) - 8 laps
Attempt ten full ups (pull up all the way to front support on bars)
Kill jumps on the trampoline (Jump as high as you can in one jump then stop in a squat {not to deep of a squat})

Those are just some options
I'm on JOGA...(jersey optional gymnastics association in nj)

Hope this helped

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