Escola Municipal de Acrobacia Aérea de Sátão

The Escola Municipal de Acrobacia Aérea de Sátão is a municipal school dedicated to aerial circus arts located in Sátão , in the district of Viseu, Portugal. Created in 2023 at the initiative of the municipality, it allows children, teenagers and adults to discover and regularly practice different aerial disciplines in an environment combining physical activity, technical learning and artistic expression.

Since its inception, the school has been under the educational direction of Emanuela Schirripa , a certified instructor with the European Fitness Association and the Federazione Italiana Fitness. Her teaching guides students in the progressive discovery of the main apparatus used in aerial circus disciplines.

One of the school's fundamental objectives is indeed to enable participants to acquire the necessary technical skills to perform on various aerial apparatus. The educational program developed by the municipality specifically mentions aerial silks , hoop , rope , and trapeze among the main apparatus covered.

The apparatus taught

The vertical aerial silks play a significant role in the practice. Suspended at a height, they allow students to progressively learn to climb, maintain their balance, perform different positions, and build movements and sequences. This discipline particularly demands strength , coordination , mobility , and body control .

Aerial hoop is also one of the apparatuses taught. Students discover different ways to position themselves inside, around, or under the hoop and gradually learn to link the figures together. As with other aerial disciplines, learning is adapted to the age, experience, and abilities of each participant.

The rope and trapeze complement this introduction to the main apparatus of aerial circus. Practicing them allows students to experiment with other types of holds, suspensions, positions, and movements, thus contributing to a broader understanding of the various possibilities offered by aerial disciplines.

For the 2026-2027 season, the school also offers aerial yoga . This practice combines suspended work with various postures and body exercises, complementing the more directly circus-based approach to aerial acrobatics.

Groups and course organization

Regular classes are available for children aged 6 and up . Younger children are grouped in the Miniflyers class, for ages 6 to 10. From age 11 , students join the Acroflyers class. This structure allows exercises, learning pace, and objectives to be adapted to different age groups.

The benefits of practice

The school places particular emphasis on the physical development of its students. Aerial acrobatics, in particular, helps to progressively strengthen muscles , develop flexibility , and improve motor coordination . Working on the apparatus also requires a good awareness of the body in space and contributes to developing balance and control of movement .

But the municipal project doesn't limit the benefits of the circus to its physical aspects. The practice is also used to develop teamwork , patience , and the ability to persevere . Each new move generally requires several learning stages, and students must learn to accept difficulties, repeat, and progress gradually.

Pushing one's limits is therefore one of the educational objectives emphasized by the school. Performing on aerial apparatus can be a real challenge, especially during the first experiences at height. Progress allows participants to better understand their abilities and gradually develop their confidence.

Learning also helps students develop stress management skills . The height, new body positions, and unusual exercises require students to stay focused, listen to instructions, and learn to control their reactions.

Specialized workshops

The Escola Municipal de Acrobacia Aérea does not limit itself to weekly classes. It also develops a program of workshops allowing students and other practitioners to discover new disciplines and work with different artists and trainers.

In 2026 , the school notably organised several specialized workshops. A workshop on dynamic techniques on fabrics and ropes allowed participants already possessing experience to deepen their aerial work with Serena Tassone .

A second workshop dedicated to acrobatic dance , led by Victor Abreu , offered a blend of movement, acrobatics, and artistic expression. Separate groups were formed to accommodate children aged 6 to 11, then teenagers from age 12, and finally adults.

A third workshop, entitled " O Corpo Suspenso – Lira e Trapézio " (The Suspended Body – Reading and Trapeze), led by Nathalia Furlan , allowed participants to explore the aerial hoop and trapeze more specifically. These workshops demonstrate the school's commitment to broadening students' experience beyond regular classes and introducing them to different approaches to aerial circus arts.

These events also attract practitioners from outside Sátão. The workshops organized in 2026 welcomed participants from Castelo Branco , Viseu and Mangualde , among other places, showing that the school is beginning to play a role in the dissemination of aerial disciplines on a wider scale than just the municipality.

The artistic and scenic dimension

The artistic and theatrical dimension also plays an important role in the school's operation. Students do not simply practice aerial disciplines as a physical activity; they are encouraged to use the techniques they have learned to create presentations and shows.

End-of-year shows allow the different groups to present their progress to an audience. The students work around a common theme and use the equipment and techniques learned during the year to create a complete stage performance.

In June 2025 , the Miniflyers and Acroflyers groups, for example, presented two separate shows, " O Baú das Emoções " and " Os 5 Elementos ". These performances allowed the students to transform the skills acquired during classes into acts for the public.

The stage activity continued during the following season. In June 2026 , the school presented the end-of-year show " Cosmos, a Dança das Estrelas ", allowing the students once again to showcase the work done during the year.

Presentations are also organized at other times during the season. In particular, the school offered open shows and classes around Christmas , giving families and the public the opportunity to discover the work of the different groups.

This stage dimension naturally complements the technical learning. Going on stage requires students to memorize their sequences, manage their concentration and stress, work with other participants and develop their presence in front of an audience.

A project supported by the municipality

The project benefits directly from the support of the municipality of Sátão , which aims to offer the population an original cultural, artistic, and sporting activity. This municipal involvement helps to maintain regular and accessible participation in the area.

Classes are held at the Pavilhão Gimnodesportivo of the Escola Secundária de Sátão . The school operates according to the academic year and renews its registrations annually.

For the 2026-2027 season, classes resumed on October 6, 2026. Miniflyers welcomes children aged 6 to 10, while Acroflyers groups participants aged 11 and up. Several sessions are offered each week to allow for regular practice.

A project permanently established in the municipality

After several years of operation, the Escola Municipal de Acrobacia Aérea de Sátão has become a permanent fixture in the town's cultural and sporting offerings. The numerous registrations, performances, and development of specialized workshops attest to the project's popularity.

By combining aerial silks , hoop , rope , trapeze , aerial yoga , specialized workshops , and the creation of shows , the school offers the residents of Sátão and the surrounding area a true space for discovering and practicing aerial circus arts. Its program allows students to develop their physical and technical abilities while exploring creativity, artistic expression, teamwork, and stage experience.