Escola de Circ – Club INEF Lleida

The Escola de Circ of the INEF Lleida Club is a school dedicated to the discovery and learning of circus arts located in Lleida, Catalonia.

It develops its activities in the facilities of the INEF Lleida Club, within the complex of the Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya.

The school offers a circus arts approach that combines physical practice, pedagogy, creativity, and physical expression. Its teaching is designed as a fun, formative, educational, and innovative activity.

Regular activities are organized from September to June.

Groups adapted to each age

The school welcomes children from a very young age as well as teenagers, young adults and adults.

• For children aged three to five , the Jugant amb el Circ groups offer a first introduction to the world of circus arts. This initiation allows them to explore movement, coordination, and various motor skills through play.
• Children aged six to nine can continue their discovery within the Circ Petits groups.
• Students aged ten to fourteen have access to the Circ Grans groups.

This organization makes it possible to offer activities corresponding to the different stages of the development of children and adolescents.

The school also offers groups dedicated to physical expression . The first level is for children aged six to nine. The second is for young people aged ten to fourteen. Physical expression complements technical training with an exploration of movement and stage presence.

Circus disciplines

Aerial acrobatics is one of the school's major specialties. Beginner groups allow students to gradually discover aerial techniques. Advanced courses then allow them to continue and deepen their practice. Aerial silks play a particularly important role in the circus arts activities offered at Club INEF Lleida.

Aerial work is combined with appropriate physical preparation. Strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility are specifically developed to allow for technical progression under optimal conditions.

Ground acrobatics complements the work done in the air. Participants can also discover acrosport and acrobatic lifts. These disciplines introduce a significant team element. They require communication, trust, coordination, and attention to partners.

Object manipulation and juggling are also among the techniques practiced. These activities thus allow participants to explore several major branches of circus arts.

Creation and stage presentation

The school also has a Petita Troupe. This initiative introduces a dimension more directly linked to creation and stage performance.

The work done at the INEF Lleida Club is not limited to learning technical skills. The creation of scenes and group pieces plays a significant role in the project. Participants can prepare presentations for various artistic events.

A final presentation is traditionally held in June . This event allows the public to see the work done during the year.

The Expressió – Circ – Dansa section

The Club's circus project is closely linked to its Expressió – Circ – Dansa section. This section aims to foster the development of performing arts through physical education. It combines physical expression, dance, and circus arts. In particular, it provides an extracurricular training space for students interested in these practices.

The project also aims to develop the skills of students who later wish to teach physical expression activities. This relationship with INEFC gives the project a particular educational dimension. Circus arts are considered both as an artistic practice and as a tool for developing physical and motor skills.

The activities are intentionally non-competitive . Individual progress, creativity, and collective experience are emphasized.

Participants can progress through different levels depending on their experience. Adults and students have access to aerial and ground acrobatics groups ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

Gymnastic skills

Gymnastic skills are also specifically addressed. Participants can practice gymnastic and acrobatic elements individually or in groups.

Impulse devices such as mini-trampolines and trampolines can be used. These skills have numerous applications in circus arts. In particular, they can prepare individuals for disciplines such as teeterboard or various forms of dynamic acrobatics.

Specialized internships and workshops

The regular program can be supplemented by specialized internships and workshops. Depending on the time of year and the availability of instructors, additional disciplines may be offered.

• The German wheel was notably one of these one-off formations.
• Aerial straps were also proposed.
• Acrobatic lift workshops allow for a deeper understanding of group work.
• Contemporary dance complements this cross-disciplinary approach to movement.

These sessions are led by teachers or artists who are specialists in their field. They allow participants to discover techniques that are not necessarily covered in regular weekly classes.

Activities during the holidays

The Club also develops activities during the holidays. Summer programs may combine physical expression, circus arts, and dance for children. This complementary approach between regular school, workshops, and summer activities allows for a diverse range of offerings.

Artistic dimension and events

The artistic dimension is enhanced through participation in various events. Practitioners can take part in events organized at INEFC or elsewhere. Creations can be presented at university conferences, cultural events, or local gatherings.

Group work allows participants to gradually move from technical learning to the development of a stage performance. They discover the various steps necessary to transform a circus technique into an artistic endeavor.

This approach helps develop autonomy and creativity . It also allows students to learn how to work collectively on a project.

An educational, artistic and non-competitive approach

The Escola de Circ of the INEF Lleida Club thus offers an approach particularly linked to physical education, performing arts and pedagogy.

• Children can start with a fun introduction to the circus.
• They can then progress towards more structured practices and aerial disciplines.
• Teenagers are placed in groups that correspond to their age and level.
• Young people and adults can further develop their aerial, acrobatic and body techniques.

The proximity to INEFC finally creates a particularly favorable environment for exchanges between artistic practice, pedagogical training and knowledge of movement.

The Escola de Circ thus constitutes a space for discovery , progression and creation allowing the practice of circus arts in Lleida in an educational, artistic and non-competitive approach.