For most of our classes all you need is comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your movement. Many students opt to wear activewear but the choice is up to you!

If you’re participating in a Chinese Pole class you’ll need long pants, a long sleeved shirt, and soft shoes (like sandshoes)

Vulcana is an all levels and all ages circus in Brisbane, from beginner to advanced etc. A great place to start is in our Circus Essentials class for beginners so you can get a feel for what circus is about even if you've never done it before.

Aerial Silks is another name for Tissu, depending on where in the world you are. At Vulcana, we do teach aerial silks, and we call it Tissu. If you would like to learn aerials silks (tissu!) in Brisbane, you can enroll in Flying Start where we go over the basics in aerial apparatus. From there you can begin your Tissu journey as you progress through General Aerials and then into Intermediate and Advanced classes.

Lyra is also known as Aerial Hoop or Aerial Ring. Its name is derived from a very early performer, Caedo, who in 1893 appeared in a New York newspaper image, suspended in a hoop shaped like a lyre, the musical instrument. From there other circular versions appeared. It can be rigged from a single swivelling point to spin on the vertical plane. It can be rigged from 2 points as a static hoop. It can even be rigged from 2 swivel points so it can tip on the horizontal axis, known as a Tippy Lyra. It can be swung or remain under its rigging point that give different dynamics to the skills possible on the equipment.

If you would like to learn Lyra (aerial hoop) in Brisbane, you can enroll in Flying Start where we go over the basics in aerial apparatus. From there you can begin your Lyra journey as you progress through General Aerials and then into Intermediate and Advanced classes.

We don't teach Aerial Yoga, but we do teach hammock silks here, in our Brisbane circus classes and we refer to it as Teardrop. It is also know as Aerial Sling. (In circus you can also see people using industrial slings as aerial equipment for a different feel and aesthetics). You may recognise it as looking similar to Aerial Yoga or yoga hammocks if you’ve ever popped over to Bend+Fly. (One of our longtime community members and ex-trainers teaches there!).

Unlike aerial yoga, however, Teardrop is a performance apparatus and is used to explore moves and poses. If you want to add a performance level to your yoga hammock skills, you could consider a short course in Flying Start (intro to aerials in circus is different to intro to aerial yoga) and progress your way through General Aerials to Intermediate Teardrop.

If you felt you wanted one-on-one coaching, you could opt for private lessons. We are sure it would assist your aerial yoga strength.

Acrobatics, Acrobalance, Sports Acrobatics, or Acro for short, all describe variations on the same theme of balancing one person, or more, on another person or people.

At Vulcana we use this as a foundational experience for people learning circus. It provides a shared activity that develops trust between fliers (those who are supported to leave the ground) and bases (those who support other bodies above them). At a beginner level it also reveals strengths and capacities that newcomers are often surprised they already have to support other bodies in ways they couldn't imagine, and to trust others to support their weight.

As skill develops the complexity of ways bodies can support and move other bodies becomes more intricate, shapes can build higher, and student acrobats can increase confidence, strength, balance and cooperation.

If you would like to learn Acro in Brisbane, you can enroll in an Introduction to Acro class where we go over the basics. From there you can begin your Acro Journey and move on to our Intermediate Acro.

Balance is key to circus, whether you're on the ground or in the air. To specifically focus on learning handstands, we have an all levels class Handstands, Tumbling & Stretch.

Our youth classes run from ages 5-17 years while our adults classes run from 16+. However, if you are under 18 it is good to check with us first so we can find you an appropriate class. There is no upper age limit on our classes, we have people from all different stages of their life coming to give circus a go!

For our intermediate and advanced classes, there are entry requirements to keep you safe, these are outlined on each individual page. For our beginner and all levels class, there is no prior experience or fitness level required. Circus is a specific fitness and it is something you will gain over time. There is no weight limit for our classes, but if you are over 100kg, please let us know so we can make sure we plan appropriately.

Chinese poles are vertical poles to climb, slide down and hold poses.

Different from dance pole, the poles are covered with rubber to improve grip, requiring users to wear long sleeves and pants. Chinese poles are often significantly taller than dance poles and offer opportunities to showcase strength, fluidity, and daring.

Come along to class and discover this amazing apparatus.

Absolute beginners can start in Flying Start which is a 9 week course.

Following completion, students can progress to General Aerials in the following term where you can use your newly developed aerial strength to explore different apparatus such as Trapeze, Tissu, Lyra and Teardrop (AKA Silks, Aerial Hoop and Aerial Sling/hammock). This is also a 9 week course. Many students choose to stay in General Aerials for multiple terms as there is a lot to explore.

Following that, you can move into an Intermediate classes which focus on one apparatus, ie Intermediate Tissu where you can grow dedicated to your craft. Coming along to Open Training is a good way to advance as it is a time where you can practice what you’ve learnt in class at your own pace. Consistency is key for those who wish to advance.

When you’ve outgrown the skills taught at intermediate level, you can enrol in advanced classes such as Advanced Tissu. Each person has a different pace and there is no time imposed by Vulcana on when you need to advance.

We have a student showcase at the end of each year, where you are welcome to invite family and friends to see you and your class perform tricks learned throughout the year. We also run Artist Incubators for those who want to develop their performance-making skills and work on an act. Vulcana also puts on bi-annual community shows that you are welcome to partake in.