Perhosvoltti

Located in the Suutarila district, north of Helsinki, Perhosvoltti is a Finnish school specializing in teaching acrobatics and circus arts. Founded in 2013 by professional artist Olia Vahtola , it offers courses for children, teenagers, and adults, from discovering the first movements to mastering advanced acrobatic techniques.

The school welcomes approximately 400 students each year and prioritizes small group instruction, allowing for personalized support. Its teaching methodology is based on technical progression, safety, self-confidence, and artistic expression.

Unlike general circus schools, Perhosvoltti places a central emphasis on ground acrobatics , handstands , and aerial disciplines . Students can nevertheless discover various circus props, including juggling and balancing equipment.

A school founded by a professional circus artist

The story of Perhosvoltti begins in January 2013 , when Olia Vahtola decided to create her own circus and acrobatics courses.

She initially organized two groups at the Tikkurila swimming pool facilities in Vantaa: one course for young children and another for adults focused on acrobatics.

The success of these initial sessions quickly led to the development of the activity. In less than a year, courses were being offered in several schools in the region, notably in Simonkallio , Hiekkaharju , Vierumäki and Havukoski .

In December 2015 , the business officially became the company Perhosvoltti Circus Arts Oy . From January 2016 , the school moved into its own studio, located in the Suutarila district of Helsinki.

This installation marks an important step: Perhosvoltti now has a permanent space specifically dedicated to teaching acrobatic arts.

Since its creation, the school has progressively developed its program to accommodate children of different ages, teenagers and adults.

Olia Vahtola, a teacher with a background in professional circus arts

The founder of Perhosvoltti has over thirty years of experience in circus arts.

Born in 1983 , Olia Vahtola discovered the circus during her childhood and began performing in Helsinki in the 1990s.

She gradually developed her skills in different disciplines, including acrobatics, hand balancing, juggling and hoops.

His artistic training took place in several European countries, including Finland , Sweden , France and Ukraine .

Throughout her career, she has participated in professional shows and various artistic productions.

She works in particular with the Finnish dance theatre Transsiteatteri Hurjaruuth , in the winter circus productions Lumous and Poro .

She also performs in Norway with Circus Khaoomi , in duo acrobatic acts.

His career includes television appearances, event performances and artistic performances in several Nordic countries.

In 2019 , she also participated in the Scandinavian television series Advokaten as a professional stuntwoman.

This experience of the stage and live performance directly influences her teaching. Olia Vahtola seeks to impart a solid technique to her students, while developing their creativity and their ability to use movement as a means of expression.

A progressive and personalized teaching approach

One of Perhosvoltti's main features is its structured learning system.

Students progress through different technical stages, defined according to their age, experience and abilities.

For children aged 7 and over, the school uses a system of progress cards to track acquired skills.

Each step corresponds to specific movements and objectives. Students must master the basics before moving on to more demanding exercises.

This method allows the skills necessary for acrobatics to be built up gradually, while avoiding rushing the learning process.

Teachers pay particular attention to the quality of execution, posture, and control of movements.

The goal is not simply to successfully perform a move, but to understand how to perform it correctly and with control.

Perhosvoltti generally limits its groups to a maximum of 12 or 15 participants , in order to preserve the quality of the supervision.

The school also offers private lessons and sessions in very small groups for people wishing to benefit from even more individualized support.

The circus for babies and toddlers

Perhosvoltti offers circus-themed activities for very young children accompanied by an adult.

The Baby Circus program is aimed at babies aged from 8 months to about 1 and a half years , during specific sessions.

These sessions provide an initial introduction to movement in an environment adapted for toddlers.

The activities emphasize sensory experiences, physical games, and interactions between the child and their caregiver.

The goal is to gradually promote coordination, balance and the discovery of the body's capabilities.

The school also offers the Toddler Circus program for children aged 2 to 3 years accompanied by a parent.

These courses combine games, movement, small balance exercises and motor activities.

Children learn to explore space, discover different movements, and develop their confidence.

The presence of an adult allows for sharing the exercises and accompanying the first acrobatic experiences.

These activities provide a fun introduction to the world of the circus, without any focus on technical performance.

Parent-child classes for 4- to 6-year-olds

The Parent & Child Acro program welcomes children aged 4 to 6 years accompanied by a parent or other adult.

These sessions allow us to discover together the first acrobatic techniques and the fundamentals of movement.

The exercises include balance activities, movement, coordination games, and simple acrobatic movements.

The accompanying adult participates directly in the activities, encourages the child and helps them to perform certain exercises.

This formula promotes mutual trust, cooperation and the pleasure of practicing together.

The courses also allow children to gradually prepare to join autonomous groups.

The school fosters an encouraging atmosphere, in which each child can experiment at their own pace.

Mini Acro: the first independent lessons

The Mini Acro program is designed for children aged 5 to 6 who wish to discover acrobatics without the participation of a parent.

These sessions constitute a first step towards more structured learning.

The children discover, in particular, forward and backward rolls, wheels, bridges and various preparatory exercises.

The activities help to develop coordination, mobility, strength and balance.

The teachers offer exercises adapted to the age of the participants and pay particular attention to the mastery of movements.

Children also learn to follow instructions, to work in a group and to develop their independence.

The goal is to give them a solid foundation while maintaining a fun and motivating approach.

Circus Acro Kids: acrobatics for 7 to 10 year olds

The Circus Acro Kids program welcomes children aged 7 to 10 in groups adapted to their level.

It constitutes one of Perhosvoltti's main educational paths.

Students discover the fundamental techniques of floor acrobatics and progress towards more elaborate movements.

The exercises include rolls, cartwheels, bridges, hand balances and various acrobatic transitions.

Learning is based on the school's progress card system.

This allows participants to track their progress and identify the skills they still need to develop.

The sessions combine warm-up, physical preparation, technical exercises and sequences.

Teachers adapt the difficulties to each student's experience, in order to allow both beginners and more advanced students to progress.

This organization promotes perseverance and self-confidence.

Students gradually discover how to combine several movements to build acrobatic sequences.

Circus Acro Teens: classes for teenagers

Teenagers aged 10 to 15 can join the Circus Acro Teens program.

These courses offer more in-depth learning, with sessions that can last 90 minutes .

The groups are organized according to different levels, from the basics of acrobatics to advanced practice.

The students work on their strength, flexibility, coordination and body control.

They delve deeper into hand balances, cartwheels, reversal movements, and acrobatic sequences.

The teaching places particular emphasis on technical precision and the quality of transitions.

Teenagers gradually learn to combine different movements and build more complex sequences.

The most experienced students can join advanced groups, whose program is closer to the technical requirements of stage acrobatics.

This progression allows particularly motivated young people to develop their skills over several years.

Ground acrobatics

Ground acrobatics is Perhosvoltti's main specialty.

It occupies a central place in courses for children, teenagers and adults.

Students learn to control their bodies in different positions and to perform movements requiring strength, coordination, and flexibility.

Beginners discover rolls, bridges, cartwheels and basic balance positions.

More experienced practitioners can work on reversal movements, complex transitions, and technical sequences.

The sessions also include physical preparation exercises designed to strengthen the muscles needed for the activity.

The school emphasizes the importance of mastering the preparatory steps before tackling more difficult movements.

This progressive approach allows students to build a sustainable technique.

Handstands

Hand balances occupy an important place in Perhosvoltti's teaching.

This discipline requires strength, concentration, good coordination and precise control of posture.

Students begin with preparatory exercises designed to develop shoulder stability, body alignment, and confidence in inverted positions.

They gradually learn to maintain balance, control their movements, and improve their technique.

Hand balances also form an important basis for various acrobatic figures.

Private lessons allow students wishing to delve deeper into this discipline to work on specific objectives with Olia Vahtola.

Aerial disciplines

In addition to ground acrobatics, Perhosvoltti offers courses combining ground and aerial acrobatics.

The school notably has aerial silks and a fixed trapeze .

Students can discover the fundamental principles of suspended work, including body posture, basic positions and movements on apparatus.

The exercises help to develop strength, coordination and body awareness.

The courses are organized according to the age and level of the participants.

Some groups directly combine the learning of ground acrobatics and that of aerial silks.

This approach allows students to develop complementary skills and discover different forms of acrobatic expression.

The facilities are equipped with mats and protective devices adapted to the activities offered.

Acrobatics classes for adults

Perhosvoltti also welcomes adults wishing to discover or deepen their knowledge of acrobatics.

The courses are suitable for both beginners and people who already have experience in physical or artistic activities.

Participants can work on their flexibility, strength, balance and coordination.

The sessions include preparatory exercises, acrobatic movements and technical learning adapted to each individual's abilities.

People already practicing dance, yoga or other physical activities can find in it a complementary way to develop their mastery of movement.

Adult beginners can also discover acrobatics without having had any training during their childhood.

The school prioritizes personalized progress, allowing each student to set realistic goals.

Private lessons and small groups

Perhosvoltti offers private lessons accessible to children, teenagers and adults.

These sessions allow you to work on specific technical objectives with individual support.

They can be devoted in particular to hand balances, flexibility, floor acrobatics or the preparation of a particular movement.

The teacher adapts the content to the participant's abilities, needs, and experience.

Private lessons can also be useful for students wishing to supplement their group training or overcome a technical difficulty.

The school also offers sessions in small groups, allowing you to benefit from personalized support while practicing with other participants.

Intensive internships and workshops

In addition to weekly classes, Perhosvoltti organizes specialized workshops and training courses.

These activities allow participants to devote more time to a discipline or to explore new techniques.

The school offers, in particular, circus workshops during the summer , intended for children and teenagers.

The programs may combine ground acrobatics, aerial disciplines and artistic expression work.

Participants discover different exercises and can deepen their understanding of the movements covered during the year.

Intensive workshops are also offered on an ad hoc basis, according to the establishment's schedule.

These activities complement regular classes and enrich the students' experience.

A studio specially designed for acrobatics

Since January 2016 , Perhosvoltti has had his own training space in the Suutarila district of Helsinki.

The studio is located at Loisteputki 4 C, 00750 Helsinki .

It is designed to accommodate different age groups and skill levels.

The facilities include acrobatic equipment, landing mats and educational materials designed to facilitate learning.

The school also has aerial apparatus, including silks and a fixed trapeze.

Various circus, juggling and balancing accessories allow for a diversification of activities.

The studio layout promotes progressive teaching, in which students can discover new techniques in a suitable environment.

Special attention to safety

Safety is one of the fundamental principles of Perhosvoltti's teaching.

Students must master the preparatory movements before moving on to more complex exercises.

Teachers ensure that activities are adapted to the level of each participant and that appropriate protective equipment is used.

The groups are intentionally limited in size to allow for individualized monitoring.

Participants should wear comfortable clothing suitable for physical activity.

Long hair must be tied back and jewelry removed before sessions.

For aerial classes, covering clothing is recommended to protect the skin while working on the apparatus.

The school also asks families to report any injuries, physical limitations, or situations requiring special attention.

Each student must have individual insurance covering accidents related to sports practice.

This organization aims to create a learning environment in which students can progress with confidence.

Developing confidence and perseverance

Beyond physical skills, Perhosvoltti sees acrobatics as a way to develop personal qualities.

Learning a new move often requires several attempts, patience, and concentration.

Students learn to accept difficulties and understand that progress takes time.

The success of a previously unattainable feat can help boost their self-confidence.

Teachers encourage participants to experiment, persevere, and progress without systematically comparing themselves to others.

This approach promotes a positive relationship with physical activity.

The school also wants to allow students to discover the pleasure of expressing themselves through movement.

Acrobatics thus becomes a discipline that is simultaneously sporting, artistic, and educational.

A school specializing in technical advancement

Perhosvoltti stands out for his particularly structured approach to learning acrobatics.

The programs are designed to allow students to progress over several years, from the first motor skills exercises to advanced techniques.

The progress card system makes educational objectives more understandable for children and their families.

Small group classes promote individual corrections and high-quality supervision.

Olia Vahtola's professional experience also brings an artistic dimension to teaching.

Students are encouraged not to view movements as mere technical performances, but as elements that can be combined to create expressive sequences.

This combination of technology, pedagogy and creativity is one of the main characteristics of the institution.

An acrobatics school open to several generations

Since its creation in 2013 , Perhosvoltti has progressively expanded its program to welcome diverse audiences.

Babies and toddlers can discover movement with their parents.

Children aged 5 to 6 can begin their independent learning of acrobatics.

Students aged 7 to 10 benefit from a structured program that allows them to develop their fundamental skills.

Teenagers can further develop their technique in intermediate or advanced groups.

Adults also have access to tailored courses, as well as individual training opportunities.

This diversity allows several generations to discover acrobatic arts in the same establishment.

A benchmark for acrobatics in Helsinki

Perhosvoltti occupies a special place in the circus arts education offering in the Helsinki region.

His program is primarily devoted to acrobatics, with particular attention paid to hand balances, body control, and aerial disciplines.

The school combines the experience of a professional artist with a progressive and personalized teaching approach.

Small groups, individual lessons and skills monitoring allow students to progress according to their abilities.

Internships and workshops complement weekly teaching and offer new opportunities for discovery.

Thanks to its specialized studio, the diversity of its programs and the experience of its founder, Perhosvoltti is an interesting school for children, teenagers and adults wishing to discover or deepen their knowledge of acrobatics and circus arts in Helsinki .

Address: Loisteputki 4 C, 00750 Helsinki, Finland.

Official website: https://www.perhosvoltti.com/