Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sign-up for my first class?

Please sign up in advance for ALL classes via email, phone, or online booking system here. For weekday classes, we recommend signing up at least one week in advance, for weekends, we recommend three weeks. We will need to know the following:

• The names of all students in your group
• Your contact phone number
• Payment information – either a credit card number with expiration date, CVV number and billing zip code, or coupon numbers for all participants. This information is for our cancellation policy (see below).

When your class day arrives, please come 20 minutes early. You’ll want time to check-in, change your clothes, and warm up your muscles. Before class, please fill out our digital waiver: Sign Waiver

*Please note:

• Any person under the age of 18 taking a class with us must have the waiver and registration forms filled out and signed by their parent or guardian.
• Emerald City Trapeze requires a minimum of 3 students to run a Flying Trapeze class and 2 students to run an Aerial Class.  If we do not have enough students signed up to run a class, we will give 24 hours’ notice to any students already registered, and we will do our very best to re-schedule them into a running class.

Student Discount: We offer at 10% student discount for college aged students. To receive the discount, please call in to make your booking. You must have your ID present at the time of class to receive the discount. Each student must have an ID present.

I have a question about classes?

Please feel free to reach out to our staff with your class questions!

• Front Desk: (206) 906-9442
• Class Questions: [email protected]
• General Questions: [email protected]

What are the rules at Emerald City Trapeze?

1. Maximum weight = 250 pounds
2. Minimum age = 16 years or older
3. If you are pregnant, or think you are, you may NOT participate
4. Please tell the instructors about ANY current injury
5. Please remove all jewelry
6. Never walk under the net
7. Please stay behind the blue line on the floor
8. Never adjust your safety belt
9. Please, no gum chewing while on the trapeze
10. If you have consumed alcohol, you may NOT participate in trapeze
11. For safety reasons, instructors may end class early, as fatigue risk increases
12. Don’t forget……HAVE FUN!!

What is your cancellation policy?

All classes at Emerald City Trapeze are non-refundable; however, you may reschedule your class free of charge as long as you give us more than 48 hours notice. There is a rescheduling fee of $20 for Flying Trapeze, $10 for Aerial Arts, and $25 for Date Night if notice is provided 24-48 hours prior to the start of class. We do not allow a class to be rescheduled with less than 24 hours notice. To reschedule, or if you have additional questions regarding our policy, please contact our front desk at (206) 906-9442. Groups reserving a specialty or private class are required to provide 48 hours’ notice. Failure to provide sufficient notice causes the participant to be liable for 100% of the cost of the scheduled appointment (we will charge your credit card or mark all relevant coupons as “redeemed”).

What if you are late to an Aerial class?

If a student is more than 15 minutes late to an Aerial class, entry into the class is at the instructor’s discretion. If a student is more than 20 to 25 minutes late, class credit will be forfeited. If you are going to be late, please contact our front desk at (206) 906-9442.

Are there class minimums?

Emerald City Trapeze requires a minimum of 3 students to run a Flying Trapeze class and 2 students to run an Aerial Class. If we do not have enough students signed up to run a class, we will give 24 hours’ notice to any students already registered, and we will do our very best to re-schedule them into a running class.

Is there parking?

Yes! Parking is easy at Emerald City Trapeze. There are tons of free parking spaces on the street, and there is a small parking lot to the south of the studio. Within the parking lot, we have several designated spots for students. The spots with Emerald City Trapeze signs are free to use while you are attending a class. All other parking spots are paid parking. If you are coming via public transportation, there is a LINK station (SODO) right across the street along with several bus stops.

Do you have a Birthday reward?

Happy Birthday! Yes, we do!

Free class for returning students on their birthday! The free class must be ON your actual birthday date. Class bookings are on a first come, first served basis. Please book ahead. If all classes are already filled, we cannot offer a different day. Your class will be refunded once you attend and show valid proof of date of birth (driver’s license, birth certificate, or passport). Free class can apply to private parties – the cost of the ‘birthday participant’ will be refunded. If Emerald City Trapeze Arts is closed for a holiday or private event, the class must be within 1 week of birthday. Valid on any regular class. Not valid on series’ or workshop classes.

I have a Groupon/LivingSocial coupon! Now what?

Awesome-Blossom! We do not currently have any active Groupon or LivingSocial promotions. If you have already purchased a Groupon, please follow the below instructions:

Have your Coupon/Voucher Number available when you call or email us. We’ll need a coupon number for each person in your party in order to reserve your spots. Also…

• Please schedule your class several weeks in advance to guarantee availability
• Please schedule your class well before your coupon’s expiration date
• The full value of your coupon expires on your coupon’s expiration date, however the amount PAID for the coupon never expires and may be applied toward the cost of the class for which your coupon was purchased (per Groupon’s policy and Washington State law).

If you have additional questions, please contact the company that issued your coupon directly.

What Should I Wear?

Stripes, knee-high socks, polka-dots, feathers, sequins and glitter, bow-ties, multi colored tights, leg warmers, leotards/unitards and any other circus wear are highly encouraged! Please wear comfortable, form-fitting athletic clothes – jeans and shorts are not recommended! You should be able to move in your clothes, but if they are too baggy, they will get in your way and be uncomfortable. Shoes are not permitted on the mats or any apparatus.
 If you have long hair, please put it up with an elastic band. Remove all jewelry.
 Contact lenses are preferable to glasses if you have the option, as glasses are not permitted on the flying trapeze rig.

For Flying Trapeze we suggest: • Form-fitting pants below the knees (as you will be hanging from the bar by your knees), such as tights, yoga pants, leggings, running pants, or tight sweat pants. Please avoid zippers, snaps, or metal accessories. • Athletic tops – preferably a few layers! • Socks or bare feet once you arrive.

For Aerial Classes: • Form-fitting athletic clothing is best and it is generally more comfortable to have skin covered rather than exposed (tights or leggings are a good idea). • Please avoid wearing rings or jewelry. Clothing with buttons, velcro, snaps, zippers, rivets or other metal accessories are not permitted on any apparatus, as these can damage our equipment and are generally uncomfortable to work out in.

Are there forms I need to fill out before participating?

All new students are required to complete our registration and release forms. For students under 18, a parent or guardian will need to sign their release/waiver.
When your class day arrives, please come 20 minutes early. You’ll want time to check-in, change your clothes, and warm up your muscles.

Before class, please fill out our digital waiver: Sign Waiver

Can I have my birthday, bachelorette, or holiday party at Emerald City Trapeze?

Absolutely! Come celebrate your birthday, bachelorette party, or holiday party with one of our unique party packages. For more information regarding pricing and package details, please visit our Parties and Events page. If you would like to book your birthday party or bachelorette party, please email us at [email protected] or give us a call between 10am and 9pm at (206) 906-9442.

How do I schedule a private party or lesson?

We are happy to accommodate any group, party, or event request! To see current information and rates regarding parties and events at Emerald City Trapeze, please visit our Parties and Events page. If you are a corporate group, you want to schedule a class with more than 12 people, or you are interested in renting our venue for an event, please contact our events team at [email protected]. If you are interested in hiring our beautiful and talented performers for an outside event, please contact us at [email protected]. For groups wishing to reserve a private flying trapeze or aerial class (under 12 students), please email us at [email protected] or give us a call between 10am and 9pm at (206) 906-9442.

How long are classes?

Flying Trapeze classes typically last 2 hours. Aerial classes range from 1-2 hours. All classes are subject to an earlier ending at the instructor’s discretion in order to ensure the safety of our students.

Who can participate?

Our minimum age for Flying Trapeze is 16 years old. The minimum age for most other classes is 16 years old; pole dance is 18 years old. For your safety, we have a maximum weight limit of 250 pounds for flying trapeze. If you have health concerns, please speak with your physician before attending. If you have emotional/psychological concerns regarding the height of the flying trapeze, rest assured that all of our instructors are incredibly experienced in guiding you past your fears until you are safely flying through the air by your own two hands. Sam Keen, author of “Learning to Fly”, took up flying trapeze at the age of 62 in 1993, is still flying on a regular basis!

What’s the deal with Open Gym?

Open Gym Pro

Open Gym Pro training is self-directed training time for circus professionals and pre-professionals to develop skills and create acts. You can only train for the skills/apparatus you are checked off to train.

Cost: $100 a month. Weekly and daily training is available for visiting professionals for $50/week or $20/day. Times: During regular studio hours-9:30am – 9:30pm, 7 days a week, except during holidays and private events. Classes and private lessons always get first priority of space. No training time if 5 or more classes are running.

Must have current safety certification for rigging and current personal health insurance policy.
Safety/Rigging Certification & Space Orientation is $30 (per group).
Rigging recertifications must be done every year or if you have not trained at the studio for more than 6 months. We will offer a couple free recertification times twice a year, otherwise the fee above applies.

If you are interested in participating in OGPro, email [email protected] with “OGPro” in the subject line. Please be sure to include the following information:

• What activities do you wish to train during OGPro times?
• What is your background in circus arts – where did you train, how long, and with whom?
• If you are a professional artist, please include a demo and resume/CV.
• If you are pre-professional (less than 4 shows/gigs a year) OR a high level but not aspiring performer you must include a current demo of skills and a letter of reference from a current coach/verbal reference from an ECT coach. Additional strength or technique tests may apply.
• If you are a guest looking for short term training please include the dates of your proposed visit.

Please view the full Open Gym Pro Policy here: Open Gym Pro Policy and Details

Open Gym Student

Open Gym Student

Open Gym Student is available for ECTA students age 16 & up who have instructor permission to attend, (No flying trapeze or Trampoline during OGS). There is no coaching or instruction during open gym, but there is a coach available to facilitate, rig, answer questions, and help with equipment. All rigging must be done by the facilitator only. Students are expected to work only on the material they are learning in classes and lessons that they can execute safely. 

Anyone who pre registers for a minimum of 4 classes each month is eligible for Open Gym Student. Failure to participate in the 4 required classes every month results in cancellation and disqualification of future OG access.

Price: $15

Times: Sunday 2:30-4:30pm, Wednesday 2:00-4:00pm, and Friday 4:30-6:30pm

Additional times and the option of a monthly $60 pass will start later in the year if OGStudent proves to be a success.

Please view the full Open Gym Student Policy here: Open Gym Student Policy and Details

Can I bring my pet to class with me?

In an effort to keep our space clean and allergen-free, we do not permit pets inside the building.