Abstract
In this research study, it was hypothesized that when circus arts are added to an art therapy
program, then there would be a positive increase in kinesthetic awareness, emotional regulation,
and sense of self in the client. This case study involved a child age 10, who engaged in a variety
of circus arts, such as juggling, tumbling, unicycling, and some aerial basics, including aerial
silks, aerial hoop, and trapeze. This was done in addition to an art directive involving body
maps, which was used to qualitatively measure emotional regulation. The results found that the
participant felt more comfortable with expressing emotional states graphically as opposed to
verbally and reported a change in mood after engaging in circus arts. Future research is
discussed, with considerations to age and gender.
