If January, or life in general, has you feeling slothful, running away with the circus can sound like just the right dose of romanticism. But rather than leave your entire life to cavort with clowns, how about heading down to Sneinton Market’s Circus Hub to try some aerial silks, hoop, rope, and trapeze. We spoke to owners Kay Monrose and Ria Ashcroft, to hear about the benefits of their diverse range of classes and why anyone can have a go at circus skills…
Can you talk a bit about how you both got into circus, and what performance skills each of you have tried?
Ria: I went to Greentop Circus Centre in Sheffield and did a circus and performance course, maybe twenty years ago now. I was looking for something that was for performance but had circus in it as well, and I really fell in love with the aerial and acro stuff.
Kay: I just started in a small studio – a friend said come along to a class. I'd never done anything like it before. I did yoga, but I’d never done any gymnastics as a kid or anything. Then I got on an aerial hoop and I was like, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’ So it just sort of grew from there – I kept going to my classes and workshops in other cities. Then I went to Australia to do a trapeze course, and when I got back we set up Circus Hub.
What did the early days of Circus Hub look like?
Kay: For a while we were searching for a place with enough height. Originally we needed a place to practise because we were doing a run of Christmas shows together. We were doing other shows together and just needed a space that we could train in. We found these units in Sneinton Market and set up here ten years ago this year.
What are the core values of Circus Hub?
Kay: We’re very friendly – we want everyone to come through the door and feel like they’re in a community. I think all of our instructors try to make everyone feel really welcome.
Ria: Inclusivity is a key thing for us. Circus is a place where everyone is accepted for who they are. We try to give people positive encouragement and people in our classes support each other. We just want people to come and experience it because it's a brilliant and magical art form. We are also quite passionate about nurturing talent…
I think we are good at meeting people where they are. Whatever kind of level people are, we try to adapt everything to be achievable
You offer quite a range of classes, including those for disabled or neurodiverse people, those with young children…
Ria: So we work with disabled young people and adults, we do classes for SEND young people and their families to come and play together, and we have classes for neurodiverse people. Swinging on the slings is actually really good for regulating in people with autism. It’s also great to give them the autonomy to decide what they want to do in this space. We set it up like a giant playground with crash mats all around, and the sessions are very free-flowing and led by the young people, then we’re just there to make sure everyone is safe.
What do you think the mental and physical benefits of circus are?
Ria: It’s really good to get fit without just running on a treadmill – for me I don’t engage that way, so sometimes I’ve actually done a massive workout and I feel like I’ve tricked myself into doing it. It’s been really beneficial for my mental health too. I suffer from depression so doing this really helps me to not feel so low. I do believe that circus can save lives.
Kay: Before I began I was quite shy – I never thought I’d be teaching a class of twelve people. Aerial really gave me that confidence, in my own body and realising what I can do. Also the performance aspect of it, that really allowed me to come out of my shell. So it can either be a performance thing, or just a hobby or a form of fitness. It is also great for mindfullness, being present and feeling like you’re not alone. There is a lovely vibe in our community of ‘togetherness’ which has been really beneficial for my own mental health. Going upside down is also great for your blood flow and heart!
Do you need to have a certain level of fitness or skill to try circus?
Kay: It’s a very common misconception that you need to be strong or go to the gym first - or that you need some sort of skill - but it’s not like that at all. You build up strength and flexibility and don’t really realise you’re doing it.
Ria: I think we are good at meeting people where they are. Whatever kind of level people are, we try to adapt everything to be achievable. If someone is nervous we see if they want to come in and meet us or see the space, and if people aren’t comfortable in a beginner’s class with lots of other people we offer private sessions to help build up their confidence.
And you do classes for toddlers, parents and babies…
Ria: Yes, our circus babies class is like a sensory play session using the aerial equipment. I wanted to set that up because when I had my children I went to lots of classes that were just for the kids or just for me. I wanted a class that was more balanced in terms of both the baby and the grown-up getting something out of it. So we have stretches that really open up the chest, because obviously you get kind of tight holding a baby all the time. Even just holding on to the sling and leaning back is quite a big step for some, but we encourage people to adapt it – so you can even still do aerial stuff with your feet on the floor if someone is feeling a little nervous or apprehensive.
Are there certain moments when you think ‘Yes this is why I’m doing this’?
Kay: I definitely felt that when we went into a special needs education school. It can be tough, but we realised how much the kids were getting out of it. They started to get to know what they were doing, and to take turns, and it was really nice to see them so excited and thriving.
Ria: It’s also so wonderful when one of your students has been trying really hard with a move and then they achieve it. And we love doing our shows and cabarets – seeing students who have put a whole routine together with their own music and costumes – you see them really owning their performance. Everyone is really different. They’re definitely moments when we’re feeling proud.
Check out the Circus Hub website for a full list of classes and courses, or head to their free open day taster session on Saturday 10 January 2026.
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