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Coaching

Known as Twisted Nymph, Carolyn is a cabaret circus practitioner with 15 years of experience in the cabaret and circus industry. She has mainly trained contortion under Claudia Hughes, Allison Schieler, Hannah Finn and Frost Bite Circus and loves trying classes with others to experience different techniques. Carolyn taught pole and burlesque before apprenticing with High Top Circus to develop her aerial and flexibility instruction skills and now teaches regular classes at The Pole Lab (Brighton). Carolyn has attended numerous workshops and conferences on flexibility teaching, anatomy, injury awareness, and healthier bodies in the aerial arts and is committed to professional development and is forever continuing to learn!

 

Carolyn specialises in working with adults who wish to increase their strength and flexibility for pole and aerial arts and finds students with hypermobility come to her searching for safe ways to train their flexibility and strength. She completed her practice-based PhD exploring female experience of aerial circus in 2020 and applies this knowledge to her teaching. With a varied background in the arts and academia, she approaches her teaching with inclusivity, research informed practice, interdisciplinarity and kindness at the core.  

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Group classes at The Pole Lab (by Hove train station)

  • Wednesdays 5-6pm and 6-7pm (in person)

  • Wednesdays 7.30-9pm (online bi-weekly)

  • Fridays 1-2pm (in person)

  • Keep an eye on my Instagram for the class focus each week, timings and special workshops! I share the monthly schedule in my stories.

  • Classes can be booked via The Pole Lab website, drop in and class pack options available. 

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121s

  • Get in touch to discuss private lessons, face-to-face or online via Zoom.

  • 121s cost £50 p/h.

  • We can arrange classes on an adhoc basis, or try to find a semi regular time, or regular time. 

  • I tend to teach across Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays and some Saturdays. 

  • In person 121s will take place at the Pole Lab studio, by Hove train station. 

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Accessibility info

  • During 121s we might be sharing the space with other students/instructors, if you need a quiet space/private studio space please let Carolyn know who will do her best to arrange this.

  • Music levels vary: but are typically quieter in flexibility sessions and a little louder if working on choreography in aerial.

  • Fans or heaters are used depending on the weather; Carolyn will check in on comfort levels.

  • Movements are described with multiple options to suit your body.

  • Carolyn will check in before spotting but may act immediately for safety.

  • Class plans are shared at the start, and you can discuss specific needs during the 'check in.'

  • Feel free to bring items like headphones, stimming objects, or plushies for comfort.

  • The studio is only accessible via 20 stairs with a handrail.

  • We have 2 toilets at the studio, these are both gender neutral. 

  • Touch tours are available on request before your first class.

© 2025 by Twisted Nymph (Carolyn Ailsa)

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