In addition to Miranda enjoying the classes a lot (she has been wanting to take circus lessons since she was 2 and had to wait until she was 6), we think just the experience is quite benefitial. Our family doctor commented that it was great as she develops both fine motor (juglling and plate spinning) and gross motor skills (tumbling and acrobatics). We have additional reasons: It is a group of mixed ages from 5 (now they take them 4 and up!) to 14, both boys and girls, and different ethnic and socio-economic groups. This diversity of performers and teacher reinforces what we believe - the inherent worth and diginity of all people - everyone should be treated with equal respect. The attitude of the circus is the same. Everyone has something positive to offer, a unique talent worthy of respect, and that no one should be judge for how they look, their age, size, or gender, etc. They also teach teamwork and non-compitetion. Acts do not compete with one another. Each is a part of the larger whole which is itself larger than the sum of its parts. Performers are encouraged to find their niche, to build upon base talents and work on areas that need shoring up. And things like the Pyramid require everyone to work together to keep everyone safe and each person's unique attribute is put to best use: larger kids on bottom, smaller on top, really flexible do the back bends in front, etc. Everyone has an equally important part and the pyramid would not be a pyramid without everyone participating.
We have already begun to make some friend with other circus families. The family who owns and runs the circus lives in our neighborhood - about 4 blocks away. (No, we didn't know that when we moved it.) Another of the families lives just across the way in Webster Groves near Mirandna's school. They have a trapeze, mats and barre in their basement. (I don't even need a crystal ball for this one! I know where our basement is heading.) We have a play date set up with them: two girls age 7. They are not twins. Their mother adopted them from Romania, so they are not even biologically sisters.
Enjoy the photos and turn up the sound for the videos.
Lori
