JULY 8 – AUGUST 29, 2019
Bend With Mel summer classes are back for a third year! Get ready to stretch, strengthen, balance, & tumble this summer! I’m offering more classes, options, & opportunities to train than ever before & am excited to share what I’m offering this year. I have made some big changes from years past! Please read all the information below & feel free to contact me with any questions.
IMPORTANT: Unlike in years past I will now be accepting registrations for classes and not operating on a solely drop-in basis. Registrations will be accepted until July 1, 2019. After that any remaining spaces will be left open to drop-in students. Classes will run July 8 – August 29 (8 weeks). If you register for the 8 weeks you are receiving a discounted rate that essentially gets you two classes free and assures you a space in class each week. Classes will be limited to 18 participants at most.
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
To come on a drop-in basis please email me after July 2, 2019 or anytime before the class you’d like to attend and I will let you know if there is space. You are also welcome to just show up but I cannot guarantee a space will be available. All participants are asked to fill out a waiver at their first class.
SCHEDULE
MONDAYS (GymKyds Gymnastics Centre – 421 Beaverhill Blvd.)
| Time | Class | Session fee | Drop in fee |
| 6:30-7:30 | Beginner/Intermediate Acrobatic Tumbling (Ages 8+) | $90 | $15 |
| 7:30-9:00 | Intermediate/Advanced Acrobatic Tumbling (Ages 10+) *FULL | $120 | $20 |
*Intermediate/Advanced Acrobatic Tumbling is full as of June 12. Anyone who registers for this class on or after June 12 will automatically be placed on a waiting list.
*August 19 & 26 classes will start 45 minutes later than usual. Beginner/Intermediate 7:15-8:15. Intermediate/Advanced 8:15-9:45.
WEDNESDAYS (Prairie Circus Arts – 195 Collegiate St.)
| Time | Class | Session fee | Drop in fee |
(Ages 18+) |
Adult Intro to Acrobatics ran for the month of July and unfortunately has been cancelled due to low numbers. If you are an adult wanting to learn Acrobatics please contact me and we can arrange for a private or semi-private lesson.
THURSDAYS (Marquis Dance Academy – Unit 321 – 55 Sage Creek Blvd.)
| Time | Class | Session fee | Drop in fee |
| 5:00-6:00 | Beginner Flexibility & Balance (Ages 8+) | $90 | $15 |
| 6:00-7:15 | Intermediate Flexibility & Balance (Ages 10+) | $105 | $17.50 |
| 7:15-8:45 | Advanced Flexibility & Balance (Contortion) (Ages 12+) | $120 | $20 |
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Beginner/Intermediate Acrobatic Tumbling
- Mondays 6:30-7:30pm
- Location: GymKyds Gymnastics Centre (421 Beaverhill Blvd)
- Ages 8+
In this class participants will learn fundamentals of acrobatic tumbling. Focus is placed on acquisition of basic tumbling skills, improving conditioning, & increasing body awareness. Basic skills taught in this class will give participants a solid base to work off of as they progress to more advanced tumbling. Come to this class ready to build a strong technical base & good tumbling habits!
No prerequisite skills required.
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Intermediate/Advanced Acrobatic Tumbling
- Mondays 7:30-9:00pm
- Location: GymKyds Gymnastics Centre (421 Beaverhill Blvd)
- Ages 10+
This class is best suited for seasoned Acro dancers, gymnasts, tumblers, cheerleaders, or other athletes with past tumbling experience. This class works to build strong technique, strength, power, & confidence in intermediate to advanced level tumbling skills such as back handsprings, aerials, back tucks, running tumbling, etc.
Pre-requisite skills:
- Front & back walkover (both sides)
- Handstand against wall 30 sec
- Past experience with side & front aerials*
- Past experience back handsprings*
*Students do not need to have these skills mastered already but should have at minimum past experience with them and be comfortable to try them with a spotter.
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Adult Intro to Acrobatics
Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm(closed)- Location: Prairie Circus Arts (195 Collegiate St)
- Ages 18+
Acrobatics is a circus arts essential. In this class we will start from the beginning and build flexibility, strength, balancing, limbering, & tumbling abilities. This class will focus slightly more on tumbling than balances. Some handstand work & other balances will be covered. Body awareness & skills learned in this class can translate well into many different circus or sport disciplines. Come to cross-train, or just to learn something new and get a great workout. Acrobatics utilizes the entire body, participants should have few physical limitations in order to participate.
No prerequisite skills required. Participants with past acrobatic/tumbling experience welcome but this class will focus on basics & building a strong technical foundation.
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Flexibility & Balance
- Thursdays:
- Beginner: 5:00-6:00pm (Ages 8+)
- Intermediate: 6:00-7:15 (Ages 10+)
- Advanced: 7:15-8:45 (Ages 12+)
- Location: Marquis Dance Academy (Unit 321 – 55 Sage Creek Blvd)
Build flexibility, strength, control, & balance this summer. Classes will focus on increasing flexibility safely & effectively while also working on acrobatic balances including handstands & standing balances. This class is an excellent option for dancers, acrobats, gymnasts, synchronized swimmers, figure skaters, & other athletes looking to train their flexibility, stability, & acrobatic balances over the summer. Please note the Advanced level class will be working at a basic contortion level and is not suited for students without prior related training (i.e. contortion, acrobatics, gymnastics, dance, etc).
Prerequisites:
Beginner: none
Intermediate:
- Square splits & middle splits at least 6 inches from ground
- Ability to touch floor in standing pike
- Ability to press shoulders over wrists in bridge
- Handstand against wall for 30 seconds
- Freestanding headstand 10 seconds
- 4 tricep push-ups
- 10 v-snaps
- 1 min plank on elbows
Advanced:
- All intermediate prerequisites plus:
- Near flat square splits & middle splits (2 inches or less from ground)
- Ability to hold comfortably hold chest stand & forearms stand for 15 seconds
- Bridge & recover
- Ability to press shoulders over or past wrists in bridge
- Handstand against wall for 1 minute
- 8 tricep push-ups
- 20 v-snaps
- 2 min plank on elbows