Behind-the-scenes look at an air gymnast's life in Belgocircus
In the vibrant world of the circus, Elina Brocade, a seasoned performer and teacher of aerial circus arts, spends her days juggling multiple roles.
Elina's mornings begin with a visit to the gym, where she works out to maintain her fitness for the complex tricks that are a staple of her performances. Her diet is carefully balanced, rich in proteins and healthy fats to fuel her body.
Aside from her performances, Elina is also a dedicated teacher, having been instructing aerial circus arts for nearly 15 years. This additional role sees her mentoring and guiding the next generation of circus artists.
The circus is more than just a place of work for Elina. She is also responsible for maintaining and washing her own costumes, and for the care of the cats that are a part of the circus troupe. These feline performers travel with the artists in special vehicles and cages, and many enjoy careers lasting 20 years or more, according to Olga, another long-serving circus artist.
Olga, who has been in the industry for 28 years, considers the cats as her children and often finds that they don't feel like rehearsing. The animals are fed premium dry food and meat to ensure their health and wellbeing.
When the circus goes on tour, the artists push through days when they don't feel well, understanding that their productivity is crucial during performances. On tough days, they may indulge in fast food, like KFC, to give them a much-needed energy boost.
Elina's day is filled with learning new tricks and practicing them extensively before performance. She currently has her sights set on mastering the hula hoop. When it comes to mending her costumes, however, she jokes that she'd rather do 50 push-ups than sew a hole in her pants.
Despite the physical demands of her job, Elina earns between a thousand and two thousand Belarusian rubles. However, her income is supplemented by her work as an aerostretching trainer.
In the whirlwind of the circus, Elina finds joy and fulfilment in her work, and her passion for the art form continues to shine brightly.
Science plays a significant role in Elina's fitness-and-exercise routine, as she carefully integrates protein-rich foods into her healthy-diets to optimize her performance and recovery.
Elina's lifestyle extends beyond the circus ring, as she diligently maintains and washes her own costumes, reflecting her commitment to home-and-garden upkeep.
In her teaching role, Elina draws from years of experience in aerial circus arts to provide nurturing guidance to the next generation of artists, thus promoting the growth of the science of circus arts.
The health-and-wellness of the circus's feline performers is of utmost importance, with Elina and Olga ensuring they receive premium nutrition to support their long careers.
