If you are a circus/aerial instructor, performer or student and are interested in knowing more about hypermobility, this workshop is for you!
Hypermobility is far more common than we ever thought, and we know there are strong overlaps into the circus, dance and aerial worlds. However, hypermobility is much more than just bendy joints and increased risk of injuries - it can also affect your gut, temperature regulation and energy levels!
This workshop will be broken up into theory and practical modules
The theory component includes:
- What is hypermobility, and what are the common conditions associated with it?
- How can I screen for hypermobility in myself and others?
- How can hypermobility affect circus performers/aerialists?
- Risk factors for hypermobility and circus
- Common injuries with hypermobility
- Common compensatory strategies
- Management of hypermobility in circus/aerials
In the practical module, we will address two common areas of injury in circus performers/aerialists
- How to assess these areas for injury risk
- How to spot compensatory strategies
- Exercises to improve strength and control around these joints
- Strength and conditioning for hypermobile bodies
About the host:
Beth Shum is the founder of Flexibility Matters Physiotherapy and is a specialist in Circus and Performing Arts Physiotherapy. She is a former gymnast and cheerleader with lived experience of injury from a personal and professional point of view, as well as an award-winning researcher in circus and lecturer at the National Centre of Circus Arts
Jean Zhang is a hypermobility specialist physiotherapist who works as part of the London Hypermobility Unit. She has a background in pole dance and a variety of circus apparatus, including lyra, tissu and static trapeze. As a bendy person herself, she is passionate about teaching and advocating for those with bendier bodies!
