SpinCo Stations: Hoops, Contact Staff, & AcroYoga

Come experiment with Hula Hoops, Contact Staff, and AcroYoga at our very first installment of SpinCo Stations where our team of volunteers offer to step up and teach their favorite tricks and concepts.

Introducing your Instructors...

STATION #1: Intro to Contact Staff with Reese

Maurice (Reese) Crawley has been practicing flow arts since January 2013. The passion and freedom found in these arts have taken him through many different forms of self-expression, but his love is for performance. From volunteering at the American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO) in Portland, Maine, to video shoots in Birmingham, AL, to fire performances at Burning Man, every endeavor receives all of his time and dedication. Most recent achievements include SpinCo's Social Engagement Chair, Bangarang showcases, PEX performances, and festivals all around the country. Reese looks forward to bringing that same energy to you.

Follow Reese on instagram

This beginner Contact Staff workshop will focus on pushing you beyond your breaking points. There are many break/pinch points around the body that can aid you in transferring, stalling and event reversing the direction of your prop. We will explore each of them and how one can connect to another. No prior training? No problem! Grasping these concepts will be quick and easy. 

Tricks you will learn:

• Contact staff balancing
• Finding your pinch points
• 1/2 Steve
• Neck Wraps
• Duck Outs
• Incorporating Cartwheels
• Techniques to link the above tricks

STATION #2: Shh! Simply Sassy Hooping with Jo Ryn

Jo has been hooping since August of 2013.  in the past year she has branched out into aerials, pole dance, contact staff, rope dart, juggling and contact juggling, though hoops remain her primary prop. Recent achievements include performing in the fire conclave at Burning Leaves festival and Bangarang. Jo is one of the newest members of The Spinco Street Team and when she's not practicing flow arts she enjoys reading, knitting, pretending she can speak French and watching way too much Netflix.

Follow Jo on instagram

This workshop will focus on simple moves that add a bit of sass and shine to your hoop dance routine. The material in this class will be friendly to both beginners and more intermediate students who are looking to add more attitude into their hoop dance practice. Come and let your inner sass pot out to play!

Tricks you will learn:

• Catwalking
• Peep Show Start
• Modified Barrel Rolls
• Adding flair to your style

STATION #3: Intermediate/Advanced Double Hoops with Brie Mealey

Brie first picked up a hoop in November 2014 and instantly fell in love. She continues to learn and progress while exploring new ideas everyday. Although she is now a circus artist, fire dancer, stilt walker, and aerialist, hooping remains her favorite. She has performed throughout NY, PA and NJ and is excited to teach some of her concepts and variations she has learned along the way.

Follow Brie on instagram

Artist Website: www.BrieMealey.com

Feeling repetitive with double hoops? Come on out to this workshop to expand your twin flow!  This course is designed so that each student will leave with a fresh set of skills and a new way of thinking about double hoops.

Tricks you will learn:

• 2 hoops 1 hand
• Escalators
• Rolls & Folds
• Learning to transition between the above tricks

STATION #4: Partner Acro Foundations

Eric Mamuzich is a Philly-based internationally recognized Certified Yoga Instructor RYS 200 from Hot Box Yoga in Manayunk and Certified AcroYoga Instructor through AcroYoga.org, a 2-year certification process. Sponsored by Lululemon and featured by CBS3, Philly.com, The Metro, PhillyFIT Magazine, PhillyAreaYoga.com, and Timeout.com, Eric believes that proper use and continued refinement of technique and timing are key to any partner acro practice. Eric studies under Jason Nemer, the founder of AcroYoga, and Niko Dowes, a well-known international acrobatic instructor based in The Netherlands.

Owner and head instructor of Rebel Circus Arts, Eric has taught countless adults and children at local studios including Philly Yoga Factory, Philly InMovement, Pryia Hot Yoga, Yoga Habit, Merge Dance Studio, Sol Yoga Studio Conshohocken, and more over 5 years of teaching and training across the world. Eric’s most notable appearances include Divine Play (Portland), San Diego Circus School, New York Acrofest, Philly Phlight Phest, and hosting instructor of yoga and acro retreats in Ecuador and Costa Rica. Surfer, athlete, massage therapist, and entertainer, Eric regularly performs at events city-wide with the goal to generate curiosity through the purposeful and therapeutic movement of AcroYoga.

Follow Eric’s journey on Instagram at @BeFreeYogi

Eric will cover foundation partner acrobatic movements that will leave you craving more.  Questions are encouraged and fun is unavoidable.  No partner required.

Tricks you will learn:

• Foundations to partner acro
• Continuous flowing between sequences
• Standing acrobatics
• Pops & Jumps

The Street Circus Guest Workshops Series is a performance education program with seasons that run annually September through April. Workshops are held among 14 partnering venues in Greater Philadelphia. Learn how easy it is to have fun with a prop and discover all the health benefits that come with it.

Join us as we celebrate movement in spectacular ways!

About the Studio

When to arrive?

Please arrive 5 minutes before class time in order to get acquainted with the space and ready for class to begin on time.

How to get there?

Rebel Circus Arts is located in a warehouse building on the Chatham Street side. We will have the door propped open with the SpinCo banner to help students find their way to the gym.

What to wear?

All shoes must be removed at the door. Wear clothes that you are comfortable moving around in.  

What to bring?

Bring a water bottle and your props. Krystal the Great will be vending hoops at this event. Please note, Guests/Guest Instructors are not permitted to use the aerial equipment without specific permission from a Rebel Circus staff member.

Parking?

Free on street parking is available, usually within a block of Rebel Circus.  Give yourself a few extra minutes to find a space.

Public Transportation?

Rebel Circus is located a few blocks off the Somerset stop on the Market Frankford Line. Although it will be daylight to come to this workshop, we will offer to drive students back to the stop to avoid nighttime walking in the area.