Volkshochschule Zwettl – Zirkusluft schnuppern

The Volkshochschule Zwettl (VHS Zwettl) is a municipal adult education institution located in Zwettl, in the Lower Austria region.

It offers a diverse program of educational, cultural, sporting and artistic activities for the inhabitants of the region.

Among its activities for children is " Zirkusluft schnuppern! ", an introductory program to circus arts allowing children to discover different disciplines in a fun and supervised environment.

The classes are led by Isabel Blumenschein , a clown artist, puppeteer and educator specializing in circus arts and early childhood education.

Regular circus classes for children

The Zirkusluft schnuppern! program is aimed at children from 6 years old .

The sessions are organized in the form of cycles comprising several courses spread over a semester.

Participants discover different circus disciplines and gradually learn new moves.

The teaching combines technical exercises, group activities, and creative exploration.

Children can thus experience several forms of practice and discover the disciplines that particularly interest them.

Juggling and object manipulation

Juggling is one of the disciplines offered during the courses.

Children learn to throw and catch different objects, gradually developing their coordination.

The exercises help to improve the precision of movements, concentration, and hand-eye coordination.

Juggling also promotes patience and perseverance , with participants progressing at their own pace.

Activities can be carried out individually or collectively.

Ground acrobatics

The courses include an introduction to acrobatics .

Participants discover different positions and figures adapted to their abilities.

Learning helps develop muscular strength, core stability, coordination, and body awareness.

The exercises also promote control of movements and self-confidence.

Trapeze

The trapeze is one of the aerial disciplines offered in the program.

Children can discover the sensations associated with suspension and experiment with different positions on this apparatus.

This practice helps to develop strength, coordination and body control.

The exercises are carried out as part of the sessions supervised by the teacher.

Aerial fabric

Participants also have the opportunity to discover aerial silks .

This discipline involves climbing and performing different positions using a suspended fabric.

The introductory session allows you to work on strength, core stability, coordination and confidence in your movements.

Children gradually discover basic techniques adapted to their level.

Human pyramids and collective acrobatics

Human pyramids are another important activity in the program.

The children learn to create collective figures in cooperation with other participants.

These exercises help to develop balance, coordination and mutual trust.

They also encourage communication, mutual support and respect for each other's abilities.

A pedagogy based on discovery

The main objective of the program is to allow children to discover the diversity of circus arts.

The sessions favour a progressive and playful approach.

Participants learn different techniques while developing their creativity and autonomy.

Education also promotes self-knowledge and the ability to assess one's own capabilities.

Children are encouraged to experiment, persevere, and enjoy their learning.

The development of physical abilities

Practicing circus arts allows you to work on several physical qualities.

• Juggling exercises promote coordination and concentration .
• Acrobatic activities develop strength and core stability .
• Aerial disciplines also require endurance and body control.
• Group exercises encourage cooperation and mutual trust .

All activities contribute to the development of the participants' motor skills.

Small groups

The classes are organized in small groups .

For the autumn semester of 2026, each group will accommodate a maximum of 12 children .

This organization allows the teacher to adapt the exercises to the different levels of the participants.

It also promotes interaction and mutual support among children.

A semester-based program

The Volkshochschule Zwettl organizes its activities according to a semester calendar.

Circus classes were notably offered during the winter and summer semesters of 2025-2026.

They are being offered again in the fall of 2026, with two groups adapted to the ages of the participants.

The sessions take place once a week for several weeks.

This organization allows children to discover different disciplines and progress through the courses.

A practice location in Zwettl

The classes take place in the gymnasium of Hammerweg Primary School, located at Hammerweg 2 , in Zwettl.

This space hosts juggling, acrobatics activities and introductions to aerial disciplines included in the program.

Registrations are organised by the Volkshochschule Zwettl, whose administrative office is located at Gartenstraße 3 .

An accessible introduction to circus arts

With its Zirkusluft schnuppern! program, the Volkshochschule Zwettl allows children to discover several circus disciplines within the same course.

The teaching combines technical learning, physical development, creativity and group activities.

Children can experience juggling, acrobatics and aerial arts while developing their self-confidence.

Thanks to its regular courses and pedagogical approach, the Volkshochschule Zwettl helps to make circus arts accessible to families in Zwettl and its surroundings.