Cirque Roots Studio

Cirque Roots Studio is where all the magic happens– from circus themed fitness classes to hula hooping, acro-​yoga and more. Each class is so unique and while some might not sound like very they’re strenuous, they are! Cirque Roots is more than the classes they offer, it’s a place for community, for art, for performing. It’s a place that brings people together. Stephanie and Zoe are some of the most genuine gals in the Old Pueblo, you should stop by and take a class!
Circus Jam is every Tuesday– folks can stop in and practice their skills and learn some new ones.
The studio is also available for rent– have a special event? Rent it! It’s awesome, located basically on the train tracks in an old exposed brick building. It’s a raw space full of potential for any type of event.
Cirque Roots is also home to an incredible team of performers! You can hire live hula-​hoopers, DJs, mimes, stilt walkers, fir dancers and more.

Teacher: Natalie Nguyen
Style: Hatha Flow
This is a late-​night class which is really nice because I often am up studying late and feel wound up before bed. It starts at 10:00 PM, the perfect time if you are a night owl or are up late studying. Natalie has a relaxed manner about her and is an accomplished yog, i but you wouldn’t know it because she is so good about making everything accessible. She also isn’t afraid to combine chair assisted inversions, acro-​yoga poses and other props. I like this evening class because it relaxed me right when I needed to go to bed.
There are candles around the room and it is in an old artist’s warehouse space. The floor is one giant yoga mat so you don’t really need to bring a mat unless you want something that is less slippery. The space has character, big old windows, high ceilings, wood floors with the exception of the yoga room. It is like a really cool comfortable loft. I’ve thought about doing a meditation class in the space.
Natalie comes across as energized and extremely poised. She has an ingrained knowledge of the body and is able to very quickly adjust to the student’s ability and the environment. She wants to get you into the pose no matter what level you are at, to experience the benefits. You get the feeling you are about to be taken on a transformative journey when the class begins.
She takes risks too and does interesting things that traditional yoga teachers might not do. She is Vinyasa flow influenced but does it in a slower deeper fashion. I found myself interested in exploring the poses and trying things I might not otherwise be inclined to try. I also found myself looking forward to the next pose.
The emotion held by the teacher is that of courage mixed with compassion. She is not dressed in the latest yoga fashion an old dark tank top or t-​shirt and some well-​worn cropped yoga pants with shorts over the top make me not feel like I am part of the «yoga industrial complex» when I am taking her class. At the end of class a thought, image or tidbit is presented and you are able to just lie there and meditate on it or not.

The Cirque Roots Studio hosts all kinds of different classes with circus-​themed elements. There are weekly classes in hula hooping, poi, stilting, acro-​yoga, etc. I dig the Thursday night hula hoop group (see reviews for Orbital Evolution). The space is also available to rent — I’ve attended a concert there and enjoyed the downtown location and ambiance. Since its an old building, the bathroom leaves a bit to be desired, but that’s more of a design issue and not a cleanliness issue.