REVIEWS

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Highest of recommendations for Jean-Luc and his San Diego Circus Center. 

San Diego Circus Center is a special place. Jean-Luc, his staff and their dedicated students have created a safe and extraordinary arena which inspires focus, creativity and strength. I try to take advantage of that energetic, airy and bright space whenever I am in San Diego. From Los Angeles, this amounted to only about 2-3 private training sessions a year for the past 3 years. 

Desiring to develop a more consistent hand balancing practice, specifically under Jean-Luc’s guidance, I started on-line training with Jean-Luc two months ago, using olympic level teaching software platform. The program has been a game-changer, and I am beyond thrilled with my progress. In the two months, I went from being consistently inconsistent (getting up 1 or 2 times for every 10 kick-ups, maybe, “Hail Mary” style, on a good day … ) to now consistently finding my line (read: more times than not) and holding that line for 10-20 seconds each time! 

As a trainer and coach, Jean-Luc checks all the boxes. He is experienced (both as a performer and a coach) yet approachable; patient but exacting; demanding while encouraging; intuitive, inquisitive, inspiring and intelligent … 

I am a desk-jockey with no gymnastics, circus nor dance background, and started my hand-balancing journey in my 40s … so fortunate to have discovered San Diego Circus Center, and grateful to have access to Jean-Luc! 

If you have the desire and are willing to work hard, go all in! You are in good hands (pun intended). 

The San Diego Circus Center, Jean-Luc, and his instructors are the best in the business of coaching and instruction in the world of circus and performing arts. Regardless of your skill set upon arriving, you are guaranteed a tremendous experience. My partner and I attended a month of unlimited classes as well as focused instruction for handbalancing and partner acrobatics and our skills improved tremendously. Jean-Luc is by far one of the top tier handbalancing coaches in the US if not, the world. His instructions are concise and meticulous but not harsh or aggressive. Regardless of in-person coaching at the circus center or his masterclass of online coaching, you are guaranteed to grow in your desired circus art under his guise. I strongly recommend either and if possible, both.

Jean-Luc, I wanted to say thank you again for the incredibly detailed, well-structured and comprehensive program. I have felt noticeable improvements in my strength and handstand form, and I am feeling more confident now than ever about being on my hands. All of your cues and feedback were very helpful and I have been taking detailed notes. I will keep working on all the skills that have been introduced to me through this program, and I hope to be able to train again with you soon!

I’m loving my handstand training! My shoulders are stronger and more open than ever. I cannot wait to see what another month brings.

" The San Diego Circus Center online handstand program is amazing! Jean-Luc's ques' are top-notch and their software system makes it easy to understand feedback and where to make corrections in your form. Each week is a personalized training regiment to help you meet your specific goals, while still feeling accessible with where you are at. After only 1 month i've seen improvements in both my handstand and how I approach hand balance training. If you are looking for a high quality online program, this is it!" 

 I initially started my training with Jean-Luc in the summer of 2019. Blown away by his knowledge of handstands for all body types and levels led me to extend my stay longer than initially anticipated. Through the many hours of specialized programs that he created and I worked through we brought my 15 second freestanding hold to a solid minute +. Now I am beginning to work on things I only ever dreamed of, such as one arms and presses! After spending 8 months training at SDCC I am now back home in Saskatchewan Canada. To stay on top of my training I have been using CIRCUS CENTER ONLINE and it has been nothing short of amazing! The platform is revolutionary and insanely simple! I still receive personalized programs and drills that directly benefit me in the areas I’m lacking. I have the opportunity to share via video my progress and receive easy to understand feedback that I can then implement next day into my training. If I am ever confused on a certain exercise/ drill, I can just view the attached video which fully breaks it down so I can understand what is being asked of me! San Diego Circus Center became my new home and this online program has allowed me to still stay connected and continue to learn and grow under the watchful eyes of the amazing SDCC Coaches!

"Before taking Jean-Luc’s online training "Circus Center Online" I had taken a lot of different handstand classes and workshops. Taking Jean-Luc’s online training gave me a very personal experience. His website is very professional and the videos which shows the exercises are professionally made and clear and precise.

Imagine you’re taking an series of lectures at your local University. The classes at your school is made to fit all the students. Personal training is so much better. Imagine how different the lectures at your University would be if the teacher knew exactly how much and what you knew of the material and only filled out the blanks. The teacher then only tells you what you don’t know and skips the parts you already knows. This is how Jean-Luc’s online coaching is. No one size fits all. Jean-Luc has a lot of experience and immediately sees your sticking points, your blanks, where you need to focus your personal practice. You don’t wast time with generic exercises. You only practice the things you need and this fast forwards your handstand practice very efficiently.

I have practiced handstands for many years and still Jean-Luc opened my eyes for things that was obvious and just before my eyes, but I just haven’t seen them so clearly before. When you’re practicing by yourself there are so overwhelmingly many possibilities and you don’t know where to put your time and focus most efficiently. Jean-Luc helps you find a course and program for your goals.

I can highly recommend Jean-Luc’s online handstand coaching."

I have been training under Jean-Luc's guidance for six months now and the Handstand Maker "Circus Center Online"  program has dramatically improved my training and overall handstand abilities. Jean-Luc has a good eye and a ton of experience, which is evident both in the insightful feedback he provides and the wide array of drills he assigns you which are designed to address your individual weaknesses. You will find this program challenging but rewarding if you are persistent. The quality of the program is excellent, and it is structured in a logical and thoughtful manner. Each drill comes with an accompanying video discussing technique and proper form to get the most out of the drill. These videos combined with the feedback you receive each week will lead you to a deeper understanding of hand balancing, a more independent training mindset, and with patience a much better handstand!

I have been training with Jean-Luc and his online handstand, Circus Center Online program  for 2 years and counting. I live in Washington state, but I took a road trip to California in the summer of 2017 and visited his facility. I took a private lesson with him and he let me know about his online handstand program! I signed up the following March and am very happy with my progress! His level of expertise, experience, and his all around great coaching abilities make it so I get a lot out of my training. His videos are detailed and the workouts he makes for me are personalized to help with my trouble spots! When I started with Jean-Luc I had extremely tight shoulders and my line was out of whack. Now, I have much better lines in my handstands (and mobility and posture) and have improved so much in my OAHS! To anyone at any level wanting to get some high quality handstand coaching, I recommend this program!

“Aloha, I have been training hand balancing with Jean-Luc Martin via the internet for 2 months. My training with Jean-Luc has been nothing short of astounding. His attention to detail and ability to deliver the information needed to improve your practice is the best I have experienced. Jean-Luc has always given me prompt answers to questions I have and is very thorough with what needs to be corrected via our FaceTime reviews of the weeks workout. I highly recommend training with Jean-Luc if you are interested in taking your practice to the highest level possible.”

“Jean-Luc has an incredible ability to pinpoint exactly where you need help in your handstands and adjust the training to target those needs. The video tutorials he sends you are detailed, creative, and clear, and the drills are challenging at exactly the pace you need. I highly recommend the online handstand training to anyone that doesn’t mind putting in the work.”

"I made the best investment in my handstand practice when I enlisted Jean-Luc's coaching support. He knows exactly where I need improvement, whether it is flexibility, strength, balance, or a combination thereof, and hand-picks the most effective drills. This allows me to I focus on my training and marvel at my progress week to week as if there is some magic at work.

I begin each week thinking he must have overestimated my abilities in the skill set required to complete the training program. By the end of the week I see the method to the madness as I overcome challenges and realize that my potential exceeds my perceived limits. Jean-Luc shows me what is possible and how to achieve it. I am excited to see where this training relationship takes me in the months ahead."

"SDCC is the third circus gym I’ve trained at and by far my favorite. Jean-Luc knows more about handstands than anyone I’ve ever met, and analyzes every students handstands regularly to give them the specific drills to improve it. I improved more than I expected during my time in San Diego, and continue to improve with Jean-Luc’s online coaching. It is amazing how much he can help remotely, and I would definitely recommend him to anyone interested in handstands."

"I am super excited to be working with Jean-Luc with his circus center online training program. He has been extremely helpful in my handstand journey. His enthusiasm and dedication to the training is extremely motivational. I have been doing gymnastics my whole life and have struggled with static handstands. Thanks to Jean-Luc I am finally able to find my line more consistently, experiment with new shapes, and shift my weight into one hand!"

"Jean-Luc is a phenomenal coach who truly understands the trial and tribunes associated with learning how to hand balance. In my experience with him through online and in-person coaching, I have seen that he tailors each individual’s program to iron out their weak points. He has helped better the practice of people from all different types of backgrounds, making his services suitable for anyone with a strong work ethic. What Jean-Luc will do for you is provide the proper progressions and guidance to achieve your goals whether they be gaining comfort on two hands or exploring advanced elements such as press handstands and one-armed work. Of course, much of your development relies on self-exploration and endless hours of effort, but working with an experienced teacher expedites the learning process. Teaching for so many years has given Jean-Luc insight into what works and what doesn’t work for different people, making him very good at locating what is necessary for improvement.

Online coaching is a suitable option for the motivated who want drills to work on; however, I’d highly stress stopping by the San Diego Circus Center to train in-person. Nothing compensates for working with partners, as they provide spotting and advice on form. Online coaching will allow anyone to improve, but it can be frustrating during the more difficult drills that have a low success rate without spotting. During my time with Jean-Luc in online coaching, I was constantly provided videos demonstrating drills to work on with detailed narratives describing form and what I should be focusing on. Jean-Luc always made sure to explain his reasoning and theory behind every drill, letting me know why I was working on the often-frustrating drills. We corresponded weekly through skype where we discussed the previous and next weeks’ programs, and he requested that I send many videos of the different exercises I worked on for him to critique my form.

Jean- Luc helped me learn to hold a freestanding handstand for over one minute consistently, find control in various inverted positions, and start the initial work towards a one-arm handstand. I highly recommend his services to anyone with the motivation to better their handstand practice."

“Thanks for rocking my world with your handstand training. It’s badass. And I love all the inspiration from other trainees you have on your account!”

UPDATE: "After 3 months of training handstands through Jean-Luc's online program, I feel stronger than ever in my handstand practice... by a lot. Not only did he help me move towards the goals I set for myself, but by following the program he created and continually updated for me based on my progress, I learned more about being upside down on my hands than I ever imagined. These past 3 months have taught me about mental and physical strength and flexibility, proprioception, and they have invigorated my desire to keep training handstands more than ever. I am so grateful for Jean-Luc's program, which allowed my acro partner and me to take our personal and joint practices to the next level while traveling full time, and to learn and grow within ourselves exponentially while doing so."