FAQ’s

Class Level and Prerequisites

  • We do recommend you consult your physician if you have concerns about starting a new style of training. We offer classes that range from moderate to high intensity and we encourage each student to use accurate self-assessment in determining if a class is right for them.

  • We have classes for all levels from absolute beginner to seasoned practitioner! As a general rule, we ask that you start in one of our New to Circus classes. Please check the class descriptions as some Level 1 classes have prerequisites.

    Prerequisites for all of our classes can be found on the here at the bottom of the page.

  • A prerequisite at Island Circus is recognized as a skill, a certain understanding of movement or bodily awareness that we require each student to register for certain classes. This is for the safety and enjoyment of everyone.

    Some classes have prerequisites and some do not.

    We ask students to both familiarize themselves with and respect the prerequisites listed to uphold class equilibrium and safety. Have a look at the here to see the prerequisites for each class.

    If you attend a class and the coach deems that you are in the incorrect level they will let you know. You may only move up a level if preapproved by your current coach.

Registration and Booking

  • If you are new to the studio, welcome! You can register an account at the top of the page, or if you are on your mobile device, you can download the Island Circus Space app.

    We have a $10 class pass available to all new students, head to our Pricing page for more details! If you decide to purchase the $10 pass, click on the $10 button and you'll be taken to our system where you can create an account. The pass must be purchased before you register for your chosen class.

    If you're making an account to register your child, please follow the instructions on our Kids Classes page.

    Email us if you have questions info@islandcircusspace.com

  • This can only be done once you have registered an account with us.

    After you have purchased a class pass or membership, then you are ready to reserve your spot in a class.

    From a Desktop computer: Click on Adult Classes and read the descriptions and prerequisites for each class that is of interest to you. Once you decide on a class, click "Sign Up" and follow the directions from there

    From the Island Circus Space app: Download the “Island Circus Space” find the class that works for you and click 'Sign up'

    *Using the app to register is a very efficient way to reserve your spot in a class once you have a good understanding of which classes and levels are right for you. Be sure to be aware of all prerequisites before registering for a class.

    We recommend checking out our policies at the bottom of this page so you're aware of our late cancellation window and other important information.

  • If you have a sessional membership, you can sign up for classes for the whole session ahead. If you have a monthly membership, you are limited to booking for a maximum of 2 months ahead due to system limitations. Please be aware of our cancellation policies.

  • To cancel a class reservation, simply log back into your online account, open the "My Info" tab and click on "My Schedule". Locate the scheduled class that you wish to cancel and click "cancel" on the right side of the page and the pass will move back to your account for you to use at a future date.

    Please note that if the button says "Late Cancel" this means that you are no longer within the period that you will retain credit for the class. If you click the late cancel button your pass will not be returned to your account and you will be charged for the class.

    Cancellation windows:

    • Up until 24 hours before the start of your class: your pass will be refunded to your Mindbody account.

    • Within 24 hours of the start of your class: you will be charged for the class.

  • For any adjustments to your monthly autopay schedule including any holds please email info@islandcircusspace.com

Logistics

  • Masks are no longer required but they are optional based on your comfort level.

    Please wear comfortable, close-fitting clothes with sufficient coverage that allows you to move freely and invert without your face becoming obstructed. If you are participating in any aerials class we recommend pants that cover the knees, sometimes long sleeve shirts, and please have your hair tied up for safety reasons.

    Clothing with zippers or any other metal are not allowed on the equipment.

    Please remove all jewelry including rings, necklaces, bracelets, large earrings, etc. Minimal facial piercings, well-covered naval piercings, and small studded earrings are allowed.

    For most activities we recommend that no socks be worn due to safety concerns. There are certain skills your instructor may give the option to use socks for.

    No shoes are required - you will need to leave your shoes and bags in the cubbies at the front of the studio.

    Please bring a water bottle with you – we have a sink where you can refill it.

    We do not have a dedicated space for you to get changed so it's better for you to come dressed ready for class. There is a bathroom in the building that is shared with the other building occupants.

  • We are located in unit 3 - 625 Hillside Ave in Rock Bay. We recommend you locate us through Google and leave a few minutes early the first time you come to the studio. It's important you do not miss the warm-up for safety reasons.

    We are in the building on the corner of Rock Bay ave and Hillside ave. and our entrance can be found by entering into the parking lot (we are next to Dentex).

    Neighbourhood: We are located in Rock Bay. We recommend bringing your valuables inside or leaving them at home if you are attending a class at night. Be sure to lock your bike with a theft-proof lock if no space is available on our indoor rack.

  • We have street parking only. Aside from two visitor spots, all other parking stalls within the lot are reserved for owners of the surrounding units. Please respect our neighbours and do not park in their spots. Parking in reserved spaces may result in a ticket or your vehicle being towed.

  • Biking is strongly encouraged, but please be sure to use a theft-proof bike lock and secure it to the bike rack provided next to the green garbage bin at the side of the building. There are also 3 bike racks available inside the studio which can be used in a first-come first-served manner.

  • Yes, we are centrally located so there are many bus routes that travel to our area. See the BC Transit website.

  • We do not have lockers but we do have cubbies that we ask you to place all your belongings in prior to class. Please keep all belongings off of the gym floor and out of the way.

  • If you are a few minutes late, no worries! Join the class for warm-up as soon as you can. If you missed the warm-up, please be sure to take a few moments to warm yourself up and join in when ready. Please take care not to disrupt the class.

  • Until you are well or recovered we ask that you please stay at home.

Accessibility and Additional Info

  • Each person is unique and so are we! We kindly ask you to consult us to find the best fit for you.

  • Our website, the Mindbody app, and our social media (Instagram & Facebook) will always have the most up-to-date information.

    If you'd like to stay in the loop with everything, we recommend signing up for our newsletter!

  • From our experience, most students perform and learn better in classes when family members or friends are not watching. For this reason, we have a closed studio learning environment.

Policies

  • Everyone entering the studio aside from those dropping-off and picking-up must sign our waiver. When you create your account you will be required to agree to our Liability Waiver.

  • If you cancel:

    • Up until 24 hours before the start of your class: your pass will be refunded to your Mindbody account.

    • Within 24 hours of the start of your class: you will be charged for the class.

    To cancel a class reservation, simply log into your online account, open the "My Info" tab and click on "My Schedule". Locate the scheduled class that you wish to cancel and click "cancel" on the right side of the page and the pass will move back to your account for you to use at a future date.

    Please note that if the button says "Late Cancel" this means that you are no longer eligible to retain credit for the class. If you click the late cancel button your pass will not be returned to your account and you will be charged for the class.

    We are happy to make exceptions for sickness and extenuating circumstances. Please send us an email to open the conversation.

  • From our experience, most students perform and learn better in classes when family members or friends are not watching. Please respect our students’ learning environment by leaving the studio during their class time

  • Please be prompt, on time and ready to go to your class. This is for your own safety as well as safety of the other students. Do not arrive any more than 10 minutes before your class.

  • No food, drinks or shoes are permitted on the mats past the entrance area. Properly sealed water bottles are allowed in the designated areas and are to be kept off the main floor. NO GLASS in the studio please.

    • Please wear comfortable, close-fitting clothes with sufficient coverage that allows you to move freely and invert without your face becoming obstructed. Clothing with zippers or any other metal are not allowed on the equipment

    • If you are participating in a class practicing aerials, we recommend pants that cover the knees and long sleeve shirts at times

    • Hair must be tied up and out of your face

    • Please remove all jewelry including rings, necklaces, bracelets, large earrings, etc. Minimal facial piercings, well-covered naval piercings, and small studded earrings are allowed

    • For most activities, we recommend that no socks be worn for safety reasons. However, there are certain skills your instructor may give the option to use socks for

    • Please be aware that we have a strong online presence and frequently post photos and videos from our classes. Our Waiver serves as a media release, but please speak to us in person or send us an email if you wish to remain out of all media.

    • Cell phones and cameras are not permitted during class time unless otherwise specified by your instructor. Please respect your instructors and fellow students by asking before filming or taking photos. You must receive consent from everyone who appears in your pictures in your pictures and videos before posting them online. Please be mindful of others privacy and consider muting the original audio before posting. When given the okay to take photos and videos, social media posts are encouraged and we love when you tag us. #IslandCircusSpace

    • Time: Please make sure you arrive within the first 15 minutes of evening Open Training. If no one has arrived within 15 minutes of the start time the studio will be locked. Only one person in addition to the facilitator must be present in order to run the opening training

    • Space: Certain space consuming apparatuses such as Cyr wheel, and Chinese Pole are not permitted during regular open trainings as there are specific open trainings for these disciplines.

    • Aerials: In order to train aerials you must be currently registered in aerials classes or you must be approved by designated Island Circus Space staff before access to an aerial point is granted. This time is to be used to integrate skills learned in class with safe exploration in the discipline. Students are not to put up or take down any aerial equipment, you must ask a supervisor for assistance. Please contact us if you wish to train aerials during open training.

Code of Conduct

    • Students are not permitted to instruct or spot each other unless given permission to do so by your instructor. Words of encouragement are highly encouraged.

    • Please be respectful of the equipment and leave the space as you found it.

    • Always be aware of your surroundings: look before you run, check before you spin.

    • Directions from the instructor in class should be followed, as they are in charge of the space. These may be different instructions than other instructors you may have learned from. You are always empowered to choose not to do an exercise or drill for any reason, and should communicate that to the instructor (there may be modifications that can be done to accommodate you).

    • Students under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not permitted on any equipment and will be asked to leave the studio. No refunds will be provided.

    • When in class we encourage an “I feel this” type of language, both in terms of your physical experience and emotional experience. Many new circus moves may be uncomfortable as they are being learned (physical or mental discomfort), however pain should always be communicated to the instructor so they can adapt the drills or instruction to prevent injury (ie: “I feel a burning pain in my left leg at this part of the sequence”).

    • Island Circus Space aims to create the conditions for all students and staff to enjoy an inclusive, enjoyable and harm free environment. As a student and active member of our community you are equally responsible to uphold these standards.

    • It is never appropriate to comment on someone's body, please refrain from making any comments about other students or instructors while in the space.

    • You must respect the needs and boundaries of others in the space.

    • You actively practice consent and highly respect the no's, boundaries of community members. You observe any non verbal signs that you're behaviour is unwelcome and ask clarifying questions.

    • We have an absolute zero tolerance policy for any harassment or any discrimination on the basis of age, race, colour, national origin, religion, body type or size, ability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, family status, marital status or any other protected status. Harassment can include gestures or language in person or digitally after a previous advance or invitation has been refused.

    • As an active member of the community if you are concerned about the behaviour of any other member of the community, we will always welcome your feedback. We are grateful for a community that works together to ensure we uphold these standards. Please don't hesitate to fill out this form if you have any concerns

Good to Know

Circus is deeply rooted in community.
To ensure that our community remains safe and well-informed, we have created this page to share valuable knowledge and resources with you.

  • We only use the best quality, fit for purpose equipment. All of our rigs are safety checked periodically by a trained professional and daily risk assessments are carried out prior to any training. Rigging is serious business! And we're sad to say that out there on the market is a lot of unsafe equipment and hardware for sale that is not suitable for the purpose of aerial training, even if it advertised as such!

    • Rigging installed inside a house will require a structural engineer to properly assess the space, load capacity and structural safety and will likely invalidate any home insurance you have.

    • Load capacity of the aerial point: A person moving on an aerial apparatus generates a lot of force, far more than their weight when they’re standing still on the floor.

    • Industry standard for aerial rigging is that any aerial point must have a load capacity of no less than 2000 lbs safe working load (that's heavier than a large male grizzly bear) and a minimum breaking strength of no less than 8000 lbs (the weight of pick up truck). This capacity must be independent of any other loads in the support path – (e.g. Snow loads on the roof).

    • Rigging from trees is also unfortunately very unsafe without hiring an Arborist to assess the tree.

    • If the rig is for your child, they will need to be supervised. To be able to effectively supervise and spot them, some understanding of how to enter/leave moves/apparatus is needed, Aerial teachers spend years training to understand the skills inside & out to keep everyone safe in class. Things that can go wrong:

      • Your child becomes tangled in fabric and can’t get out safely

      • Your child falls out, potentially landing on their head or spine resulting in serious injury.

    • Consult with a structural engineer about the installation of the rigging point.

    • Purchase rigging equipment from reputable suppliers – (Home Depot or Ikea might seem to have what you need but these will not be fit for purpose).

    • Purchase Aerial apparatus from reputable circus equipment suppliers – the apparatus must be load tested & engineered specifically for aerial training.

    • Mats: sufficient padding under and around the apparatus is necessary to prevent injury. If a person practices with only a hard floor under them, they can easily sprain or fracture any body part hitting the floor by accident, or more serious injury can result if they fall. Good quality gymnastics mats are important for minimizing these risks.

    • Insurance: aerial points are not included in homeowners’ or renters’ insurance and must be added on. Installing an aerial point without insurance specifically covering this can result in cancellation of your home insurance.

    • Inspections: you will need to hire a qualified aerial performer rigger & structural engineer to do regular inspections, ongoing maintenance, & repairs to the aerial point.

  • Conditioning and flexibility work can be done easily at home with far less expense or risk!

    Things you can do:

    • Install a pull up bar to work on upper body/core strength

    • Use a stability ball for core work

    • Resistance band training

    • Home weights to work on strength

    • Use a yoga mat, blocks and a wall to help you work on flexibility!

Using good training habits greatly reduces the risks and makes aerial arts far more enjoyable.

If you have any further questions about any of these points, please don't hesitate to reach out info@islandcircusspace.com 

Happy and safe training! 

With love,

The Island Circus Space Team