Circus Smart: Instructor Boost 2026

Take your circus knowledge to the next level using the most current science of circus, sports, and medicine, so that you can help your students' (and yourself) level up with less effort and injury.
Format

Online
course

Starting date

October
19, 2026

Presenter

Dr. Emily Scherb, PT

Duration

8 weeks
4 office hrs

Access

Lifetime

Price

$640

Join the Waitlist!

Ready for learning? Want access to exclusive knowledge now, early access, and a course discount?!?

Join the waitlist! 
Thank you! See you in there!!

circus bodies deserve circus specific knowledge


Elevating circus instruction through science!

waitlisters  can enroll starting 

September 2026

kick-off

October 19

We know circus bodies can be incredible instruments of performance and strength. But, when we look to other sports, art forms, and science to guide our training and practice we can see how different the demands of circus are. This course will help you pick apart the knowledge that helps our artists train well and get stronger, and the data that just doesn't apply (and WHY).


We'll touch on everything from how artists approach their training and their body, what training should look like, what flexibility is "normal", how (and when) artists present with injuries, what the most common injuries are, and what to assess in circus skills on the ground and in the air to keep artists safe.

Oh and did I mention WHY! We will discuss WHY each of these things are important for circus bodies to train safely


join us and be part of the
circus smart revolution!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The course will be a mix of pre-recorded lectures and plenty of time to ask all of your questions during live "office hours".

This course opens once a year!


Will I have access to the course materials afterwards?

We will spend 8 weeks together talking about circus science!

You can watch the 12 hours of lecture at your own pace whether that is a big binge of circus science nerdiness or small knowledge "snacks".

The Instructor Boost cohort meets up for live group office hours where Emily stays online as long as there are questions! She is there for you and wants to make sure you get the answers you need.
  • Office hours will be at a regular time every other week and will be recorded. (If enrollment is high, additional hours open up)
  • Questions can be submitted live or in advance.
  • Take advantage of The Circus Doc's 30yrs+ circus experience, clinical training, specialization in circus medicine, and knowledge as a leading educator and researcher in the field!


Will I have access to the course materials afterwards?

You will keep access to the course even after it is over so that you can review and rewatch anything you missed!


Hi And Welcome!

I am Emily Scherb (aka The Circus Doc) a Doctor of Physical Therapy with an insatiable curiosity for learning combined with over 30 years of circus experience as a student, instructor, and performer.

I'm the author of the bestselling book Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts, an international lecturer and presenter on circus medicine, a circus science researcher, educator, practicing circus medicine physical therapist, and a retired professional circus performer and instructor.
Train Circus Smart

When I started doing circus over 30 years ago there were only a few schools and very little in the way of resources for instructors or students. What was there was passed down from instructors to students and to each other.

Now, we have seen circus explode in popularity and knowledge is being shared and gained from around the world and across the internet, BUT how do we decipher what information is best for students who are learning, and what has been changed through years of playing telephone or wasn't solid advice in the first place?

Who is this course for?


Instructors who want to know the WHY behind what they are teaching

Instructors who wonder what they could be doing to help students continue to progress without getting "stuck"

Instructors who are open to learning and collaborating with their peers to push us all to the next level

Instructors who want to be a the forefront of the industry with biomechanically sound teaching practices

Instructors who are ready to boost their knowledge and career to the next level

Prerequisites: Basic anatomy knowledge. We will review some concepts, but this is not an anatomy course. 


Skill Breakdown

Recognize efficient patterns, faulty mechanics, and learn which components matter and WHY.

This will help you communicate more effectively with your students and increase your ability to make modifications when appropriate.

Exercises

Exercises for circus bodies to improve warm-ups and for pre-hab to help prevent some common circus injuries.

You will have access to a large video library with exercises and the cuing you need to understand the purpose of the exercise and how to achieve the outcomes you are looking for.

Training

What is the best way to train? How can we help artists achieve their goals. We will discuss the science of training taken from the sports world and applied to the performing arts and circus.

Here is how we learn how to structure training and act creation to improve our results AND reduce the risk of injury.

Example Curriculum

Dr. Emily Scherb, PT

Dr. Emily Scherb is a physical therapist specializing in circus and performing arts medicine. Through her over 30 years of training and working in the circus arts she has gained deep insight into how circus bodies work in the air and on the ground. Emily owns a physical therapy practice in Seattle, WA in which clinicians specialize in the treatment of circus and performing artists. Emily now teaches workshops for circus artists, instructors, and healthcare providers with the mission of improving health and safety in circus training and performance. She is a current board member of Seattle Dance and Performing Arts Medicine (SeaPAM). Her bestselling book Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts was published in 2018.


F.A.Q

 Is this course for me?


If you are an instructor who works with circus artists, this course is for you!

It is especially designed for folks who have had a bit of teaching experience and are looking to take it to the next level.

 Is a certificate of completion available for this course?


Yes! Once the course is completed and you have watched the videos, you will be able to receive a certificate of completion.

 What if I can't make the office hours?

All office hours will be recorded, and questions will be able to be submitted in advance. Please plan on being able to attend the majority of them if at all possible to foster great discussion and community.

 I am a pole artist. Is this course for me?

Yes! Pole is one of the circus disciplines we talk about for sure! This course covers all disciplines in circus and because of similarities in mechanical demands of pole sport across some ground and aerial acrobatics, much of the content is relatable.

 Do I need to be an instructor to take this course?

While this course is designed as a continuing education course for instructors, it may be accessible to a larger audience depending on your background and experience. To make the most out of the course, you will need:

  • An anatomy and biomechanics background
  • Experience as a movement professional or a high level recreational artist with years of committed training

Unsure what the best fit might be for you? Shoot me an email at emily@thecircusdoc.com

 Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?

I offer a 2 installment payment plan. If you need a different arrangement please let us know. I am happy to work with you to make the course possible.

While I generally do not offer scholarships or financial aid I am open to hearing your situation. Please reach out.

Advancing Global Standards in Circus Medicine Our mission is to elevate the standard of knowledge for performing artists worldwide. We believe that financial barriers should not prevent skilled clinicians from accessing the latest evidence-based protocols, regardless of where they practice. Because we value the growth of our international community, we utilize Geographic Equity Pricing.

This system accounts for global economic differences, ensuring that the financial investment for our courses is equitable for therapists in all regions. We are proud to support a diverse, international network of practitioners by offering tuition rates that reflect the economic reality of their local clinical practice.
If you are an international student and the currency exchange is a barrier to your attendance let me know as I am interested in ensuring global knowledge of working with circus artists. Reach out at emily@thecircusdoc.com

 What if I am hearing impaired or English isn't my first language?

The videos will have captions! Let me know what language you need and I will make it happen. For the live meetings there will be English captions automatically. If you need them translated for the replay that is possible. Just let me know! emily@thecircusdoc.com

still have questions?

Feel free to reach out and ask! Email The Doc at emily@thecircusdoc.com