When people see circus performers do the things they do, they think there’s no way they could do it too, but they are mistaken according to two circus loving women.

Crystal Campbell and Zora Blade have been involved with gymnastics since they were both very young. This is what sparked their interest in the idea of circus school. They said anyone can do it, it’s not that hard. It’s a matter of actually seeing what it takes to do the acts.

They each became involved with the circus school in Seattle, the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts, but then Campbell wanted to branch out and start her own circus school in the Covington area. Blade decided to join her in the adventure and is now the head coach for the school.

Currently, they are part of the Parks and Recreation Department for Covington and Maple Valley, but they want to expand their school and buy their own building for the school.

The fact that they have to use the community centers for their practices means less activities for students to do and learn.

According to Campbell, they are teaching kids the basics of tumbling, tight rope and a few other things.

“If we had the space we would also do flying trapeze,” she said.

Once they get the right building for their circus school, they said they will be able to incorporate more activities for people of all ages. They said a tall and long building, something like a warehouse would work best, that way they can have trampolines for students to use without hitting their heads on the ceiling.

They also need something with load-bearing beams, that way they can hang things from there for students to try trapeze for the first time and really learn how to do it.

Each class is about an hour long and starts with basic warmups. Campbell said each week there is a different set of skills they teach their students, that way they can find something they are good at and want to continue to work on.

“It’s a noncompetitive fitness based program, it’s kind of an individual thing,” Campbell said. “If they wanted to keep progressing and keep going they can.”

She said it’s more competitive in a way that makes you want to better yourself and can help build self-confidence.

Both Campbell and Blade said there are so many more options in circus than there is in gymnastics. They are able to try more new things and find something they love doing and are good at.

Classes for their school just started this last Tuesday, Sept. 12 and they said they hope it will be a way for people to see what they like.

“It allows them to figure out what they are good at, a little taste of everything,” they said.

Since both have had experience with coaching before starting this school, they have been able to experience some magical moments they look forward to seeing with their own school.

For instance, Blade said her favorite part of coaching is seeing students succeed.

“I personally really like the students,” she said. “I enjoy seeing kids (and) everyone, make personal strides and watching them make breakthroughs.”

Campbell said her favorite thing about the circus program is seeing everyone succeed at what they are trying.

“When they have that ‘aha moment’, when they’ve been trying something for so long and then it clicks.”

She said circus is awesome for many people because when they don’t fit in with gymnastics, they come to circus and end up loving it.

With these great moments, also come hard times as well.

According to Campbell, “It’s challenging to find the right words to make that break through and it’s really hard to watch students struggle when you know they could be fantastic at it.”

Their philosophy is to take small steps.

They said it’s always a new day, and some days might be harder than others, it’s just a matter of not giving up. They encourage people to try things they never knew they could do.

Right now, Campbell and Blade’s classes are geared towards people ages 3-17, but said once they get the proper facilities they will be able to have classes for adults as well. The most popular age group to have signed up for classes at the moment is 6-10 years old.

“We’re hoping it will be popular and there is a market for it,” Blade and Campbell said. “It’s not as scary as you think it is. we don’t push our kids very fast, it’s kind of your own pace thing.”