About
Soul Acrobats began from the simple idea that nothing is impossible, given the right amount of time, resources, and knowledge. Acrobatics is the physical practice of adapting to unknown environments, in air, on land, or under water. It’s the ability to adapt the body to constantly changing circumstances, tempt risk with carefully tempered training and education, and make unexpected discoveries in movement, time, and flight.
Our exploration of acrobatics became in reality, an exploration of the workings of the mind. Although the body is in movement, the true essence of acrobatics takes place in thoughts and emotions – the passion to extend beyond your reach emanates from the soul, the imagination of unlimited potential springs from the mind. Therefore acrobatics is really a practice of connecting to, focusing, and harnessing the power of your mindset. Acrobatics is a mindset.
Origins
In October 2005, founder Alvin Tam, and co-founders Darren Dos Santos, Marylene Hickok, and Christian Durocher gathered in Las Vegas to create Soul Acrobats. We performed in KA, a Cirque du Soleil creation that combined incredible technology, high level stunts, and complicated aerial acrobatics. Our goal was simple: to show that impossible is only a word. Through the years, we wrote, filmed, photographed, and spoke about the acrobatic mindset.
Founder
Soul Acrobats is founded by Alvin Tam, a professional circus artist, acrobatic-fitness coach, motivational speaker, and world traveller. He has toured in over 200 cites around the globe on 4 continents, performing in diverse shows, television, film, and circuses such as the musical Notre Dame de Paris, CSI, and Cirque du Soleil. Alvin is passionate about exploring the realms of the impossible in body and in mind, understanding the roots of fear, and discovering new perspectives on everything. You’ll more likely find him riding his unicycle down the street than driving his car.
At the age of 18, Alvin left Edmonton, Canada to travel the world and to pursue his passion for performing. His journey led him to Montreal, where he spent four years training in acrobatics, trampoline, dance, juggling and clown at the renowned National Circus School. Upon graduating (yes, you can graduate from circus school), he began his career in a casino show in Atlantic City as a member of the acrobatic troupe followed by a touring contract in Japan to perform in a children’s physical theater show. He then returned to the United States to tour with an American circus with his solo Chinese pole act. After a year on the road, Alvin switched performing genres and began a run with the musical Notre Dame de Paris which toured in Canada, Europe and the Middle East. Alvin made his directorial debut with Kosmogonia, a 900 seat exterior circus-theatre show. In 2002 Alvin was invited to help create and perform in the biggest Cirque du Soleil show to date in Las Vegas, KÀ, as an aerial acrobat, stunt performer and character actor.
In addition to his stage career, Alvin is a dedicated teacher, having coached at the National Circus School of Canada and thousands of children and adults around the globe. He spent several months in Brazil working with street children and also created a circus program for kids in a northern Quebec summer cam. Alvin also has an undergraduate degree in business from Royal Roads University.
Since the conception of Soul Acrobats in 1995, Alvin has delivered motivational seminars to crowds throughout North America, created a line of instructional fitness DVDs, developed an acrobatic training system, and continues to inspire through his newsletters and blog. Along with his loving wife, Jaime, they operate the first yoga studio located inside a Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas called Barefoot Sanctuary. Alvin’s impossible is to live to be 300 years old.
