Something I am truly passionate about is the power and strength of women.
I am always empowered by women as leaders and role models and I believe that every woman is extraordinary. Vulcana Women’s Circus completely encapsulate these values and works with the circus traditions of inclusiveness, strength, excitement and daring to transform and empower women and communities.
Initially born out of the need to encourage women’s participation in physical skills through innovative and non-competitive programs, Vulcana has flourished since its initial project in 1995 and exists today as a vibrant community arts organisation based at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
Having personally worked alongside incredibly talented, circus performers in the past, and as a true lover of playing sports and taking on physical challenges myself, I was so excited to be faced with a new challenge of participating in Vulcana's Aerials training session.
Bursting with energy as I arrive at the Brisbane Powerhouse, I am welcomed by the fantastic Vulcana team and guided through a series of extensive, warm-up games and stretching exercises. Divided into groups, I am directed towards my first challenge - the tissu.
Now THIS is a challenge of physical strength, more so than I could have imagined. I suddenly have a newfound respect for my trainer as she lifts herself gracefully up the silks and poses beautifully in the air.
I am first to jump on the mat and with excessive difficulty, I eventually manage to climb the tissu about 30 centimeters off the ground. After an hour I have performed a flip which I am pretty excited about and I keep flipping until I realise I have lost all strength in my arms. I am having the BEST time.
Sarah having the "BEST" time
Next is the trapeze and our group is led by an incredibly talented trainer through a series of flips and poses. I can see that in our second hour, although our strength is clearly weakening, the group is starting to grow together as a team and our circus tricks are starting to flow with more confidence and grace.
I am feeling completely inspired as I can see women around me who clearly felt that in the beginning that this was something they may have feared or felt that they couldn’t do, were now empowered by their own strength and physical capability.
We finish with a series of body-conditioning, circuit-training exercises and some stretching, which eases us to the finish line. It’s clear by the energy in the room that everyone in the group feels proud of what they have achieved tonight.
Vulcana’s next 8-week term for Aerials commences on 13 May; this class is wonderfully addictive and I highly recommend it to women who are looking to build confidence and push themselves to a new, physical challenge, while exploring the most wonderful art of circus.
