Perfolie Arte – Aerial Academy

Perfolie Arte is an academy dedicated to circus arts, aerial acrobatics, and performance art, located in Abóboda, in the municipality of Cascais, near Lisbon. Founded by artist and teacher Dina Costa, the school welcomes a wide range of students, from young children to adults, and allows them to discover or deepen their knowledge of various circus disciplines in a deliberately non-competitive environment.

Aerial acrobatics at the heart of Perfolie Arte's identity

Aerial acrobatics occupies a central place in Perfolie Arte's identity. The academy offers training on several apparatuses, including aerial silks, aerial hoop – also known as the lira – and hammock or aerial sling . Students progressively learn to move in suspension, performing ascents, descents, inversions, poses, and transitions, and then, when their skill level allows, more complex sequences and figures.

The different aerial apparatus

Aerial silks allow for the simultaneous development of strength , flexibility , coordination , and body control . The hoop offers a different approach to the apparatus, focusing on poses, transitions, and dynamic movements performed inside or around the ring. The hammock, consisting of a fabric suspended at both ends, allows for the exploration of swings, inversions, figures, and transitions at various heights.

Aerials courses

Aerials classes are offered to children aged 6 to 14, as well as teenagers and adults. They are accessible to beginners and those with prior experience. The goal is to allow for progression tailored to each individual's abilities, without requiring any prior physical fitness level to begin. Over the course of the sessions, students develop arm, leg, and core strength, as well as flexibility, coordination, and the ability to create more fluid and expressive movements.

Mini Acrobats classes

For younger children, Perfolie Arte also offers Mini Acrobats classes. Designed for 4 and 5-year-olds, these classes provide a truly multidisciplinary introduction to circus arts. Children can experiment with object manipulation, balance, ground acrobatics, and vertical silks. The approach is adapted to their age and relies heavily on play and experimentation.

These initial circus experiences help develop motor skills, agility, coordination, strength, and flexibility. They are also used to gradually foster independence, self-esteem, and confidence. Children discover the circus arts through a pedagogy that combines physical learning, play, and the progressive overcoming of new challenges.

Floor acrobatics classes

From the age of 6, children can also take specific floor acrobatics classes. This discipline develops body awareness and perception in different positions, as well as agility and coordination. Students gradually learn or refine various acrobatic movements such as rolls, cartwheels, round-offs, handstands, bridges, flips, handstands, and somersaults, depending on their skill level.

An artistic approach, far removed from competition

Perfolie Arte emphasizes a key difference between its approach and that of competitive acrobatic gymnastics. The goal is not to prepare students to compete against each other, but to develop skills from an artistic and performance perspective. Performances, creation, and sharing thus occupy a central place in the academy's philosophy.

This approach is reflected in the school's overall educational program. Acrobatics is considered both a physical activity and a form of artistic expression. Technical development is accompanied by work on creativity, self-confidence, and the ability to express oneself through movement. Each student arrives with their own abilities, apprehensions, and goals, and the teaching strives to adapt to this individuality.

The learning environment is also designed to be free from the logic of competition. Mutual support, sharing, and a positive atmosphere are among the values promoted by the academy. A student's progress is therefore not solely measured by the successful mastery of new moves: autonomy, confidence, creativity, and the enjoyment of practice are also essential elements of learning.

Complementary activities for young people and adults

The school also offers various complementary activities primarily for young people and adults. Aerial Yoga, in particular, combines elements of yoga, Pilates, and acrobatics using a suspended aerial silks. The sessions allow participants to work on postures, inversions, balance, coordination, breathing, and mobility while benefiting from the support of the aerial apparatus.

Flexibility classes also complement the curriculum. These classes allow students to work on range of motion, joint mobility, and muscle elasticity through various stretching techniques. This work can be practiced independently but is also a particularly valuable addition for aerial acrobatics students who wish to increase the range and fluidity of their routines.

Internships and programs during school holidays

Perfolie Arte also extends its activities beyond weekly classes. During school holidays, the academy organizes artistic programs for children. These workshops offer an even wider range of activities: aerial acrobatics, ground acrobatics, balance, juggling, theatrical games, dance, sports, and artistic workshops.

This holiday program clearly illustrates the multidisciplinary nature of the project. Even though aerial acrobatics is Perfolie Arte's main specialty, the school situates its teaching within a broader universe combining circus, movement, stage expression and artistic creation.

Dina Costa, founder of the academy

The academy was founded by Dina Costa , artistic director and aerial acrobatics instructor. Her journey in circus arts began with training at Chapitô in Lisbon. She then continued her training in Canada, where she worked with various international artists and deepened her knowledge of aerial disciplines. Her background includes flying trapeze, intensive training in aerial acrobatics, and specialized work with vertical silks.

Upon returning to Portugal, Dina Costa taught aerial disciplines to children and adults before developing her own academy. This artistic and pedagogical experience helped define the identity of Perfolie Arte: transmitting circus techniques while placing great importance on the personal development of each practitioner.

Practical information and registration

The school welcomes students of different ages and levels throughout the year. Registration is possible depending on available spaces, and a trial session allows students to discover the different activities before joining a regular group.

Perfolie Arte thus constitutes a particularly comprehensive place to discover circus arts in the Lisbon region. Through aerial disciplines, ground acrobatics, balance, manipulation, juggling and the various artistic activities offered throughout the year, the academy provides children and adults alike with a space where technical learning, creativity, artistic expression and the pleasure of practice are closely linked.