Soaring through the air isn't only for acrobats with years of circus arts training. Rather, several New Yorkers have taken to sharing their skills, so that you too can get a bird's eye view of the city and feel the thrill of flying.
Brooklyn's where it's all for such trapeze classes (must be all those converted warehouses). In Williamsburg, you have your pick as well. To dip that toe right in, and get a work-out at the same time, head to
Espana-Streb Trapeze Academy. Flying trapeze classes offer a full-body workout, so it's a great way to mix up your routine, or get you back into one in a fun way. Beginners should drop by on Saturdays for an open level flying workshop. Ten weeks of classes will run you $425. Work your way up to learning the tricks of the trade, from taking off on your own to catching (that workshop's on Sundays).
For more of the circus arts experience, head to the
Trapeze Loft, founded in Williamsburg over 10 years ago. Sundays you can learn to fly at their open level aerial dance class, which includes trapeze, as well as silks and a cloud swing (a hammock-like silk contraption that you can also swing on). Each session is a suggested donation of $25. The Loft also offers classes in juggling, hula hooping, tightrope, handstands, lyra, doubles trapeze, and more, if the trapeze inspires you.
Fridays at the
Lava dance studio in Prospect Heights means trapeze for adults. Semi-private classes focus on warm-up, conditioning and skill development (a 12-class session is $300). Or, to ease into it, Wednesdays the space offers an introductory class, with acrobatics and trapeze on the menu ($235 for 12 classes, or $25 for a drop-in).
If you're also looking for a full range of acrobatics, and want individualized instruction, check out
Ruby Streak Trapeze Studio in Sunset Park. The studio offers primate and semi-private instruction in trapeze (both static and dance), as well as handstands, aerial conditioning and more. Contact
the studio for the most up-to-date information on class times and costs.
Manhattan does get in on the high-flying action in the city, with
Trapeze School New York operating in not one but two locations. In the warmer months, its outdoor site on the waterfront, overlooking the Hudson River, is a popular choice for both view and height (23 feet in the air). You can also work on all sorts of circus arts skills, from trapeze to silks and rope, at TSNY's indoor location on 30th Street, where costs currently range from $47 to $65 a class for the flying trapeze (
packages are available). So no matter the time of year, you can fly.
