If you’ve been to a dance performance lately, you’ve probably found yourself thinking…
“How on earth did they do that?”
Cartwheels, handstands, walkovers, balances… they’re always some of the biggest crowd favourites.
It looks pretty impressive, but here’s the thing. Those skills aren’t usually learnt in ballet, jazz or contemporary. They’re learnt in Acro Dance.
Now, before you think Acro is all about learning flashy tricks, let us stop you there.
The tricks are fun. We won’t deny that.
But they’re actually one of the smallest reasons we think every young dancer should give Acro Dance a go.
At CM Dance, we see every week how Acro helps children become stronger, more confident and more coordinated. It helps them in every dance class they take, whether that’s ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop or Irish dancing.
And perhaps our favourite part?
Watching children realise they can do things they never thought they could.
So… what actually is Acro Dance?
Think of Acro Dance as the best of both worlds.
It combines dance with acrobatic skills like bridges, handstands, balances, cartwheels and rolls, all taught safely and step by step.
Unlike gymnastics, the focus isn’t on learning tricks for the sake of tricks. Every skill is designed to make children better dancers.
That means stronger technique, better control, improved flexibility and lots of confidence along the way.
It helps in every single dance class
One of the things we hear from parents all the time is…
“We’ve noticed they’re so much stronger now.”
And they’re right.
As children build strength and body awareness in Acro Dance, they often find other dance classes start feeling a little easier too.
Suddenly they’re balancing for longer in ballet.
Their jumps get higher in jazz.
Their turns become more controlled.
Even their posture improves.
It’s one class that supports every other class they do.
It’s about confidence just as much as cartwheels
Every child walks into Acro at a different level.
Some can already cartwheel.
Others have never even tried one.
And honestly?
Neither matters.
Because Acro isn’t about who’s the fastest or who’s the most flexible.
It’s about giving things a go.
One week a child finally gets their bridge.
A few weeks later they hold their first handstand.
Before long they’re attempting skills they never imagined they’d be able to do.
Those little wins build confidence, and that confidence doesn’t stay in the Acro classroom.
It follows them onto the stage, into school and into everyday life.
Strong before flexible
A lot of people think Acro is all about becoming super flexible.
The truth is, strength comes first.
Strong muscles support flexible bodies, helping children move safely while reducing the risk of injury.
That’s why Acro Dance develops both strength and flexibility together, creating confident, capable dancers who move well in every style.
Kids love tricks. We love teaching them safely.
Let’s be honest.
If your child has ever watched an older dancer do a walkover, there’s a good chance they’ve tried to copy it in the lounge room.
That’s exactly why learning Acro with qualified teachers is so important.
Every skill is introduced at the right time, with proper progressions and lots of encouragement along the way.
We never rush the next trick.
Strong foundations always come first.
Every child starts somewhere
One of the best things about Acro Dance is that nobody expects children to walk in already knowing everything.
Everyone begins somewhere.
Some children progress quickly.
Others need a little more practice.
That’s completely normal.
Our job is simply to help every dancer become a little stronger, a little more confident and a little more capable than they were the week before.
Why we love Acro Dance at CM Dance
Yes, we love seeing a child finally nail their first cartwheel.
But what we love even more is hearing them say…
“Can I try again?”
Because that’s where the real magic happens.
Acro Dance teaches children that it’s okay to find things hard, that practise really does pay off and that believing in yourself is sometimes the biggest achievement of all.
The cartwheels are pretty great too.
Ready to Give Acro Dance a Go?
If you’re looking for Acro Dance classes in Brisbane that help children build confidence, strength and coordination while having an absolute ball, we’d love to welcome you to CM Dance.
Whether your child is taking their very first dance class or already loves being on the dance floor, Acro Dance is one of the best ways to help them grow, both as a dancer and as a confident young person.
