Cirque du Soleil “Kooza” summer adventure…
This summer I stepped way out of my comfort zone and accepted the opportunity to cover for my friend and fellow Pilates teacher Helen, who, as a former trapeze artist with Cirque du Soleil (in Varekai), is currently travelling with the show “Kooza” with her ‘rigger’ husband.
Wow! How could I say no!
I was to teach for 3 hours on Tuesday and Thursday from 3-6pm, before the evening shows. My 14 year old daughter accompanied me on the trip, for which I was extremely grateful…both for her company and for her reassurance/guidance while I was driving!!
What a journey … in the physical and metaphorical sense.
We flew from Heathrow to Madrid and then on to Asturias in northern Spain. (Thanks to Michelle Waters for arranging the flights/ car hire etc.) The cirque tent had been up in Gijón for a couple of weeks, after moving from Valencia…and has already moved on again to Malaga.
The creative director Misha met us at Gate 1, we got our “work” and “visitor” passes and went through to the back stage tent, to be introduced to the physio, shown the apparatus I had to work with (a surprisingly dusty, unloved reformer…I did suggest that new apparatus was needed!) and the ‘sign up’ sheet. Helen had given me some background info about the performers I was likely to see, but it was a case of see who turned up, assess what they needed, and give them what they needed in a quick 30 minute session.
When we arrived, a volleyball game was in progress. We also saw artists training: heavy weights for the teeter board guys, general conditioning/stretching, physio exercises. There was an aerial training rig, a tight wire, 3 sofas (used for resting/sleeping), a rug for playing games/backgammon/scrabble etc, a large TV showing the rehearsal happening on the main stage, a trampoline (with crash mats under which were used for napping), a board with individually named mugs, a curtained off physio area, two other curtained off changing areas (who knew that all artists have to learn to do their own makeup…which can take up to 2 hours!), the costumes, washing machines, showers…
First up for Pilates was a French born percussionist, followed by a Russian hula hooper, then the three Mongolian contortionists each came for their 1:1 sessions. (Yes, they all spoke English!)
Although the reformer/tower was contemporary style (Balanced body Allegro) rather than the classical apparatus I usually work with, I was familiar with the set up and the springs; however, it was only during the sessions that I realised that the apparatus was incomplete (not to mention dusty and in need of some oiling) which lead to some quick thinking!
I was pleased that the percussionist decided to sign up for the last free slot on the Thursday, and I also taught the lovely hula hoop artist (who asked if she could book more 1:1 sessions…unfortunately we were flying back the next day…), the lead male dancer, a teeter board jumper and two of the contortionists (one was ill, as was one of the teeter board jumpers). I’d seen a performer come through the tent in tears to the physio from the rehearsal on the main stage…she came to me for my last session. She’d been winded after being caught on the ribs rather than her abdominals…we did lots of work to help her breathe more freely, and I like to think I helped her to get on stage that night!
Although the reformer/tower was contemporary style (Balanced body Allegro) rather than the classical apparatus I usually work with, I was familiar with the set up and the springs; however, it was only during the sessions that I realised that the apparatus was incomplete (not to mention dusty and in need of some oiling) which lead to some quick thinking!
I was pleased that the percussionist decided to sign up for the last free slot on the Thursday, and I also taught the lovely hula hoop artist (who asked if she could book more 1:1 sessions…unfortunately we were flying back the next day…), the lead male dancer, a teeter board jumper and two of the contortionists (one was ill, as was one of the teeter board jumpers). I’d seen a performer come through the tent in tears to the physio from the rehearsal on the main stage…she came to me for my last session. She’d been winded after being caught on the ribs rather than her abdominals…we did lots of work to help her breathe more freely, and I like to think I helped her to get on stage that night!
The two contortionists did almost the full Pilates Mat work in their 30 minutes; they were very familiar with the work, and worked well to maintain length through their spines in extension. The hula hoopist worked on her asymmetries, created through years of standing on one leg while spinning 8 hoops on various body parts! So, side lying leg kicks and side bend were especially useful. The dancer had been trying to add bulk through lifting weights but I felt he needed help with his lower abdominal strength to protect his back, and to consider his technique when lifting.
What was interesting to see was how much the artists needed the frame of the reformer to connect to, and how the framework of the mat workout helped to highlight imbalances … just as it does with us all!
Feedback was good from the artists to both the Physio and the Creative Director, who said he’d be happy to have me work on other shows…I’m not going to run away with the circus, but I’d really love to, so fingers crossed!
What was interesting to see was how much the artists needed the frame of the reformer to connect to, and how the framework of the mat workout helped to highlight imbalances … just as it does with us all!
Feedback was good from the artists to both the Physio and the Creative Director, who said he’d be happy to have me work on other shows…I’m not going to run away with the circus, but I’d really love to, so fingers crossed!
If you are interested in seeing these artists in action, have a look at Kooza on YouTube… it’s amazing!
What was clear was how much value was placed on Pilates to help them to keep their bodies in top condition, along with their training and physio.
Our final treat was to be given “artistic passes” and we were taken through to our seats to watch the show. We have seen three shows: Varekai, Ovo and Amaluna, but this felt very different, after working with some of those on stage, and witnessing life back stage.
Very special memories of an amazing adventure!
What was clear was how much value was placed on Pilates to help them to keep their bodies in top condition, along with their training and physio.
Our final treat was to be given “artistic passes” and we were taken through to our seats to watch the show. We have seen three shows: Varekai, Ovo and Amaluna, but this felt very different, after working with some of those on stage, and witnessing life back stage.
Very special memories of an amazing adventure!
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