In a world hellbent on detaching us from our bodies and from each other, movement is an incredibly important and powerful form of resistance. Partner acrobatics is unique as a movement discipline, as it requires participants to work together around a common goal, while centering creativity, consent, and somatic exploration.

In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn foundational partner and group acrobatic skills that support nervous system regulation, relational skills, and fun! Facilitated by Trans Acro, a radical queer circus collective, this class is taught through a queer/trans lens that encourages bodily autonomy, and the deconstruction of binaries and oppressive narratives around what our bodies should or shouldn’t try.
Accessibility

No experience with acrobatics or movement arts is required to attend or participate! All bodies and abilities are welcome! Opportunities will be offered to engage in physical touch with others in the space with explicit, ongoing consent.
About the Facilitators

Azrael (they/he) has been teaching and performing acrobatics and aerial arts professionally since 2011, and offers local lessons through Asheville Acro and Trans Acro. They are a queer/trans expansive healing guide and sex educator with a focus on somatic healing and IFS (internal family systems); gender and queerness exploration; intimacy, sex, and kink/BDSM education; psychedelic integration and spiritual guidance. All of their practices are rooted in liberatory politics, relational work, and the belief that we are all deserving of a radically sensuous relationship with ourselves, others, and the earth. They offer virtual sessions worldwide, and in-person sessions in the Asheville area. www.azrael.guide

Phillippe Citrine (ze/zir) is an amateur partner acrobat, somatic psychotherapist, and long-time mentor to newer trans and queer radical psychotherapists. Ze is committed to nonbinary and trans embodiment, brilliance and healing so we can bring our full magic and power to our lives and our movements for collective liberation. Along with Azrael, they are a co-founder of Trans Acro. Phillippe lives with chosen human and feline family in the Blue Ridge Mountains on Cherokee land in western North Carolina. They offer somatic healing and professional consultation at www.citrinehealing.space and www.radsomatics.space

Chelsea Feline (they/them) has been practicing circus arts and acrobatics for a decade, once discovering AcroYoga in 2014. Acro provided what Chelsea valued most: connection, patience, trust, empowerment, community, and self insight. They traveled to different parts of the world to train; seeking out various teachers and coaches to learn from. While attending their first Pitch Catch in fall of 2017, Chelsea fell in love with the challenge of partner acrobatics and started steadily training both individually and partnered. They specialize in basing and midding with a specific focus on base strength training, slow and steady technique, and compassionate partner communication. Follow them on Instagram @acrofeline