Cirkusziskola – Szokolay Zsigmond

Cirkusziskola is a circus school founded in 2013 in Budapest, Hungary, by Zsigmond Szokolay , an acrobat and teacher specializing in circus disciplines. The school offers training that combines ground acrobatics , juggling , balance , gymnastics , and the development of motor skills.

The school was created with the ambition of making circus arts accessible to different audiences, especially children wishing to discover acrobatic techniques in a fun and stimulating environment.

His teaching is based on a progressive approach to movement , allowing participants to develop their coordination, strength, flexibility and self-confidence, while discovering the diversity of circus disciplines.

A school founded by an experienced circus artist

Cirkusziskola was created by Szokolay Zsigmond , born in Budapest in 1978, who has a background combining sport, acrobatics, physical training and live performance.

Passionate about physical activities since childhood, he practices stilt walking , roller skating, swimming , running and various forms of acrobatics.

In 2000 , he began studies at the University of Physical Education in Budapest, strengthening his knowledge in the fields of training and body development.

In 2007 , he joined the artists of Magyar Nemzeti Cirkusz , the Hungarian National Circus. His time with this company was marked by a prestigious award at the 32nd Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival , where he participated in an act that won a Golden Clown .

In 2012 , he founded Sittes Tréning , an activity dedicated to physical training using mainly body weight.

The following year, he created Cirkusziskola to pass on his knowledge of acrobatics, juggling and balance.

He also became a teacher of acrobatics and physical preparation at Baross Imre Artistaképző , one of Hungary’s leading professional training institutions for circus arts.

This artistic and educational experience forms the basis of the approach developed within Cirkusziskola.

Floor acrobatics at the heart of teaching

Floor acrobatics is one of the school's main disciplines.

Students gradually discover the fundamental movements of acrobatic gymnastics, starting with simple exercises before moving on to more technical figures.

The lessons include forward and backward rolls , cartwheels , hand balances , and acrobatic movements.

As students progress, they can discover more complex movements such as flips , flick-flacks , somersaults , and various combinations of jumps.

The teaching emphasizes understanding movements, the quality of body positions, and the progressive acquisition of the physical abilities necessary to perform them.

The exercises help to develop muscular strength , flexibility , balance , coordination and body control in space.

Acrobatics is also an excellent way to build self-confidence , with each new move representing a step in the student's personal progression.

Juggling and object manipulation

In addition to acrobatics, Cirkusziskola offers an introduction to juggling techniques and the manipulation of various circus accessories.

Students can discover juggling balls , rings and clubs , among other things.

These disciplines help to develop hand-eye coordination, precision of movements, concentration, and a sense of rhythm.

Learning begins with simple manipulation and throwing exercises, before progressing to sequences requiring more mastery.

Juggling also promotes perseverance and independence . Students learn to repeat movements, analyze their mistakes, and gradually develop their skills.

The school also covers different balance practices, including stilts and rola-bola .

These accessories allow you to discover the principles of maintaining balance, distributing body weight, and constantly adapting your posture.

The combination of juggling, balancing and acrobatics thus offers a varied introduction to the traditional techniques of circus arts.

The mini-trampoline and jumping techniques

The mini-trampoline is also among the educational specialties presented by the school.

This apparatus allows us to explore the principles of impulse , reception and body control during aerial phases.

Students learn to control their posture during jumps and to develop the physical qualities necessary for acrobatic movements.

The teaching can gradually incorporate different rotations and combinations, depending on the level of the practitioners.

Trampoline work complements learning done on the ground and contributes to the development of coordination, muscle tone and spatial perception.

Courses designed for children

Cirkusziskola offers acrobatics activities primarily aimed at children .

The information published by the establishment specifically mentions groups for young people aged 7 to 12 .

The sessions are organized in small groups , in order to allow learning adapted to the abilities of the participants.

Children discover the fundamentals of circus disciplines through progressive exercises combining technique, motor games and group activities.

The goal is to enable them to gain a better understanding of their bodies, develop their coordination, and gain confidence in their physical abilities.

The activities also encourage concentration, listening to instructions, and respect for other participants.

The playful aspect plays an important role in teaching, in order to maintain motivation and promote a positive relationship with physical activity.

Activities for adults and families

The school also offers activities for adults and families .

Group classes for adults allow you to discover the fundamentals of floor acrobatics and develop the physical qualities necessary for this practice.

Participants can work on hand balances, reversals and various acrobatic movements, with guidance tailored to their level.

Private sessions are also available for groups of one to four people . This format allows for more individualized work, focused on each person's goals and abilities.

The establishment also offers a parent-child duo acrobatics activity, intended for children aged 2 to 4 years accompanied by an adult.

This approach promotes the motor development of young children through exercises carried out with their parents.

It allows for the combination of movement, coordination, balance and family interaction in a playful setting.

A progressive educational organization

Cirkusziskola's teaching is based on a structured organization of sessions .

The educational program presented by the school includes a warm-up of approximately ten to fifteen minutes , comprising running exercises, gymnastics and motor games.

The participants are then divided into groups according to their age and level.

The different groups work successively on several families of techniques, under the supervision of the teachers.

This organization allows for varied learning and the exploration of several disciplines during the same session.

The lessons may end with group games , allowing children to develop their responsiveness, coordination and interaction skills.

The goal is to offer comprehensive instruction in circus movements and techniques, while maintaining a pleasant and motivating atmosphere.

A pedagogy centered on bodily development

Zsigmond Szokolay's approach is based on the idea that mastery of movement is an essential element of physical and personal development.

The exercises offered aim to improve posture, coordination, strength and the ability to control one's body in different situations.

Acrobatics allows one to work on body awareness , balance management and adaptation to changes in position.

Juggling, on the other hand, develops fine coordination, concentration and precision.

Balance disciplines promote stability, patience, and control of movements.

By combining these different practices, Cirkusziskola offers a cross-cutting approach to motor development .

The school also places importance on self-confidence, perseverance, and the enjoyment of progress.

Students are encouraged to discover their physical potential and develop their skills gradually, without solely seeking performance.

A team from the circus arts

The teaching team presented on the Cirkusziskola website includes its founder, Szokolay Zsigmond , as well as Szepessy Bálint , a teacher specializing in juggling.

Szepessy Bálint discovered the art of juggling in 2000 , starting with the devil's stick .

He then expanded his practice to include balls , rings , clubs and diabolo .

This diversity of skills allows him to address several families of object manipulation and to transmit the technical fundamentals of juggling.

The complementarity between the specializations of the speakers contributes to the diversity of learning offered by the school.

Students can thus discover several aspects of circus arts from teachers with practical experience in the disciplines taught.

Teaching at the Mozgástér Budapest Club

The information published by the school places its activities at the Mozgástér Budapest Club , in the first district of Budapest, at 40–42 Donáti utca .

This place is dedicated to physical activities, motor development and acrobatic training.

Cirkusziskola sessions are presented as activities allowing children and adults to discover the physical techniques of circus arts.

The site notably indicates acrobatics classes for children on Tuesdays and Thursdays , as well as specific activities for adults and young children accompanied by their parents.

An educational approach to circus arts

Cirkusziskola views circus disciplines as activities that promote both physical development and personal growth .

Learning acrobatics and juggling allows students to discover the possibilities offered by their bodies, while developing skills useful in many other physical activities.

Technical progression encourages patience, consistency, and the ability to overcome difficulties.

Group exercises also contribute to the development of mutual support, listening, and cooperation.

This educational approach makes the circus a tool for discovery and learning accessible to different audiences.

By combining the traditions of acrobatics and juggling with a movement-centered approach, Cirkusziskola contributes to the transmission of circus skills in Hungary.

The school thus represents an interesting structure for families and practitioners wishing to discover circus arts in Budapest, in an environment that prioritizes progression, the diversity of disciplines and the pleasure of learning.

Website: https://cirkusziskola.hupont.hu/