Members news

Peter Mavromatis, MFHT, talks about supporting performers at AirCraft Circus Academy in London

Itrained in therapeutic and deep tissue

massage in 2010, later qualifying in advanced deep tissue massage and myofascial release.

Before this I had been in the film industry for almost 26 years, so it was a huge career change for me. I firmly believe that it is never too late and if you want to do something, just go for it.

I consider myself fortunate to offer my services in two places, allowing me to support clients from all walks of life. I work at a chiropractic clinic, The London Wellness Centre in Canary Wharf, and at AirCraft Circus Academy.

My fascination with the circus first began when I was taken to a performance as a child by my Uncle Nick. I was absolutely mesmerised, something about it just felt magical. After that, every year when the circus came to town there I was in the audience — to me it represented freedom and I dreamed of running away with them.

I always thought that you had to be born into the circus, it was only when a colleague in the film industry told me that you could train to become a performer that I began looking into evening classes. For the past seven years I have been taking aerial silks classes and performing my doubles silks act in the cabarets. What I love most about the circus is the way everyone fits in, and age is irrelevant too — I started when I was in my forties!

I have been the official massage therapist for the Aircraft Circus Academy for 10 years now. Circus has been an interesting environment to work in, supporting all kinds of performers from flying trapeze to silks, rope, straps, and juggling (just to name a few!). I see my role as helping to keep the performers’ bodies in tip-top condition, to aid their flexibility and to help prevent injury.

Most of the treatments are full-body release with a focus on the upper body. I take a ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach as no performer wants to be injured. I use good strong strokes to release tension and have found these to be very popular. Tapotement and friction also play a big role in my treatments, warming the muscles with effleurage and then working the muscles to release tension. The performers’ shoulders are usually tight and personally I know that the feeling of release after a treatment is just terrific.

Before the pandemic I was working at the academy every Wednesday and it was open from 10am until 7pm, six days a week. Through lockdown the academy opened for a total of 12 hours a week (spaced over three afternoons) and purely for its professional performers to train.

COVID-19 has been tough for the academy, its members and for the wider circus community. I was talking to a performer recently who said that although they continue to train and stay in show condition, there will be very few opportunities for those who used to carve out a living on the vibrant UK Summer festival circuit which looks unlikely to resume until 2022.

For its part, the academy will be hosting shows in 2021 and as I write (in early May), I am planning to resume my treatments later this month, strictly adhering to government and FHT guidelines for PPE and safety. For the circus and the therapy industries, I am hoping for a brighter end to 2021 and a new beginning in 2022. T

Peter is a massage therapist who supports clients at The London Wellness Centre in Canary Wharf, London and at AirCraft Circus Academy in South London. Peter is qualified in therapeutic massage, advanced deep tissue massage and myofascial release.

thisislondonwellness.com

and aircraftcircus.com

I see my role as helping to keep the performers' bodies in tip-top condition, to aid their flexibility and to help prevent injury.

Peter Mavromatis, MFHT