Instagram story viewer> @cirquejoel> Posts

Cirque Joèl

@cirquejoel

2.9K

followers

3077

following

Disabled aerialist, coach, compare, access worker and performer. Offering classes in central London as well as solo and duo acts.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Free Aerial class 🎉
Thursday 1st October
Peckham studio
2pm to 3.30pm

Come and learn the Foundations of aerial with our fabulous new teacher training graduates. They’ll take you through a range of beginner moves on a variety of apparatus. So even if you’re a regular at one thing, this could be your sign to try a new apparatus. Or if it’s your first time in the air, you’re very welcome too.

All you have to do is email edel@flyingfantastic.co.uk
Places are limited so be quick! taken in Flying Fantastic by @cirquejoel

48

0

17 days ago

I realised not enough people have seen this beauty from the archives.

Having a wonderful time as the heart of the ocean performing in drag for the first time in like 3 years and I had a fucking blast.

I also think I look fucking hot

Image description. A mirror selfie. Joel, a bearded non-binary person in drag makeup. With a big blue shimmer eye. Their wig is white blond with a rainbow peeling through underneath. They are wearing a blue lace body suit with a plunging neckline down to their.........so you can see every muscle. They have a small smirk, they know they look good by @cirquejoel

205

21

22 days ago

October’s course is nearly here!

We don’t settle for anything less than hands-on, practical teacher training with @cirquejoel guiding you through hoop, silks, sling, and trapeze.

Everything is broken down into manageable steps, made accessible, and (most importantly) fun!

📅 6–9 October
📍 Peckham studio

#aerialteachertraining #aerialteacher #aerialteachertrainingcourse #aerialteachers taken in Flying Fantastic by @cirquejoel

309

11

a year ago

‘Joel I have an idea, entertain me’ 🧚‍♀️ taken in Flying Fantastic by @cirquejoel

403

30

a year ago

I love this photo. Yes it's a little from the archives with my fabulous partner in crime @debsintheair as @duoreflexion for @flyfitartists at the amazing @zsllondonzoo pic taken by Matt Hurry who is too cool for Instagram

Jesus that was a lot of tags.

I love everything about this image, it was some of my happiest times. With people I adored and helped me grow as an artist. It was an act where we created it all ourselves and I made my first costume from scratch.

This wasn't a move that I saw at all back in....2017/2018 (HOW WAS THAY 7 YEARS AGO FUCK MY ACTUAL LIFE) it was certainly a crowd stopper and as you can see by Debs face we both loved this - despite hating hoop.

My career has changed a lot, so has my body,.but I can still do some damn fun skills.

Image description: Debs and Joel in a hoop with a bright vivid leafy background (a tree out of focus). Debs is trying her best to break me in half, but failing. Joel is wearing a black Leo with snake print on it, that he clearly didn't have time to change out of from his solo act. Debs is wearing zebra print unitard that has some subtle cut outs in it. Joel is balancing on his back in the hoop. One elegant leg is extended up bracing against the hoop. The other leg arching behind him, where Debs has latched on with her crotch. Joel is holding Deb's neck carefully so she can stretch out like this is the most elegant and comfy place. Debs has her stunning smile, beaming at me and the audience, she also has her gymnastics hands going.

If you could see my face, know that I am beaming back at Debs, or grimacing in pain I can't remember if this was one of the days that hurt taken in ZSL London Zoo by @cirquejoel

154

5

a year ago

147

14

a year ago

A lot of people seem to like my rants soooo...I thought it worthwhile to discuss the fact that disabled people's lives cost more in a bit more detail.

Scarily I've never put down exactly what it is I pay per month to make sure that I can live a slightly more comfortable life. And by that I mean so I'm not daily at 7 on the pain scale (it rarely drops below 5) and so I can continue to work.

I'd like to make it really clear here. A lot of disabled people need more care than I do, and have larger outgoings on their disability than I do.

But here's mine: I have been referred to every type of therapy under the sun and only received 2 lots so far. Both were CBT therapists who realised very quickly that CBT doesn't work for me and so stumbled. Because of this I need to pay for my own.

The NHS will only give me opioids for my pain - which causes me to have more migraines. I have been waiting 15 years for different types of pain management and finally may have the referrals for it...although so far I've had 9 referrals to the pain clinic bounced back. Despite being told by the consultant my level of pain requires ketamine to treat - so medical cannabis has been a life saver - but it's not available on the NHS so I have to pay for it privately

Multiple suppliments to help manage pain and sleep. Along with medications that I can't get prescribed and so have to buy from places like India. This includes medication to manage pain as well as keeping me upright when I have chronic fatigue flares and my ADHD

Because of my PoTs if I don't get enough electrolytes I will not be able to get up out of my bed...or if I do and it's warm I'll feel like I'm about to pass out. So I have a subscription for energy drinks and electrolytes.

Various supports, tape, strapping and compression socks to support my joints and venous return.

This adds up to a SUBSTANTIAL portion of my monthly income, and I do not receive any benefits because the government says I'm not disabled.

Hilariously my PIP form showed that doctors are trying to get me on ketamine treatment and I was prescribed 50 tramadol a month - PIP said I wasn't on any substantial pain management routine.

Cont by @cirquejoel

95

14

a year ago

The frustrations of having a dynamic disability.

By chance a while ago a friend of mine let me use her wheelchair. She saw me in it and smiled, saying how comfortable I looked in it. And I was. For the first time in years I was moving around and I didn't feel like I was gonna pass out. My legs didn't hurt, I wasn't worried about my ankles dislocating or the pain from toes that are just a little bit out of their joint. I have huge shoulders from years of aerial and I could quite happily mobilise in the chair without having to worry about controlling my joints so I don't further damage them.

I started trying to get access to a chair which is a long and potentially costly process.

NHS will not assess people who have the ability to walk some of the time. The fact that when I am flaring and force myself to walk I often injure myself and then will have both pain and a huge chronic fatigue flare wouldnt come into it. I do not have access to PIP, mobility schemes require you to receive PIP before they will support you.

But as the chair would be used for my work, performing, getting around while working and transporting me to work I applied for access to work for a chair. The process has been dragged out, for now over 2 months. They assessed me and then gave me a chair that wouldn't meet my needs, in fact it would have been dangerous if I used it in the way that they suggested. They wouldn't listen to me, or the manufacturer. Finally they asked for me to be assessed for a chair - this picture is from that assessment.

It was clear to everyone at the assessment how much easier it was for me to mobilise, how much more comfortable and despite being balls deep in a flare the energy and mental energy I would have used to stand up and control my joints wasn't being used - so i was actually able to engage in conversations and do what I needed to do. @lifestyleandmobility were amazing, they believed me and listened. It was honestly such a lovely affirming experience that I had with them I left feeling hopeful.

Cont in comments taken in Lifestyle and Mobility by @cirquejoel

267

25

a year ago

I think im going to do 2 - well that was 2024 post. This one is a small celebration.

Last year was busy and weird and I loved lots about it.

I have been so lucky to work with some of the most amazing productions and people. Im loving spending more time in places like @theclaphamgrand with @gallifreycabaret. Along with all the other spaces and productions I have worked with. Which honestly too many to name.

I have been lucky enough to work with @shooterscircus and @tamsinmaebuchanan with @flyingfantastic to create such a fantastic community of disabled aerialists - and I am again so proud of the work that these people have done to make both aerial accessible, but also create an accessible space for people to try things.

But also I got to spend a lot of time with @shesaidjump both in R+D and touring and honestly it made my summer. They are the best of people and working with them was a constant joy. This pic was taken after I stumbled out of my bed at @101outdoorarts made a coffee, rigged my sling and stretched in the sun before working with the best people. Finding this picture made me smile immediatly because it was such a happy time.

So work wise - 2025. I want to work with more people, make more happy memories like this. I want to perform more, and I want to challenge my performance style. I want to build a bigger community of disabled aerialists, artists and activists and share what we have learnt. I want to be louder and bigger. This isnt a new years resolution - its me saying it to the world - if you want to work with me, think we could create something together - lemme know I'm always down to clown.

Image: Joel's emerald green sling is rigged from his fav rig. The sky is blue and gently cloudy, Joel is in the sling with their foot in the air. They have taken a pic straight up - All you can just see the outstretched foot resting on the sling, sun dappling the image, the sky and rigging in the background. Its not foot porn, its art. Joel's emerald green sling is rigged from his fav rig. The sky is blue and gently cloudy, Joel is in the sling with their foot in the air. They have taken a pic straight up - All you can just see the outstretched foot resting on the sling, sun dappling the image, the sky and rigging in the background. Its not foot porn, its art. taken in 101 Outdoor Arts by @cirquejoel

58

4

2 years ago

Watch the breakdown - 2hr workshops
22nd-28th FEB #laaf2025

Kicking us off: @emma.circus

Next up: @josh_talbot1 & @sally_blue_white

Continuing with: @flying_bells & NEW ADDITION @alexis__circus

Followed by: @_mishmash & @cirquejoel

Up next: @amy_aerial & @harrisonsweeney14

Closing out: @ellebelle_aerial & @vanessamayfield

#circus #aerial #aerialschool #aerialist #circusschool #circustraining #flyingfantastic #aerialcircus #circuseverydamnday #cirque #londoncircus #londonfitness #circusfitness #flexibility #everybodyisanaerialbody taken in Flying Fantastic by @cirquejoel

62

1

2 years ago

Some moments from THE GUY IN THE LUGGAGE RACK at @cornerstoneartscentre - captured beautifully by @theoo.w
.
#shesaidjump #theguyintheluggagerack #cornerstoneartscentre #aerial #aerialcircus #aerialtheatre #physicaltheatre #clowns #grief #aerialclowns taken in Cornerstone Arts Centre by @cirquejoel

96

6

2 years ago

A little ditty on trapeze, created by just putting some music in and playing... Which is my fav way of creating...and something I've missed.

Overwhelm has been real recently, the hunt for work, my body betraying me more and more and the beauty that is ND has been draining.

So to come out with this, something I feel could be really beautiful (esp on my bar) was really nice

Also... Who wants to bet which move looks easy af but is really hard if your alignment isn't right?

Image description in comments. taken in Flying Fantastic by @cirquejoel

193

28

2 years ago