Acrobalance
Encyclopedia
Acrobalance is an acrobatic art that combines elements of two other arts: adagio and hand balancing.
Adagio
consists of partner lifts, usually performed by a man and a woman, where the male lifts his female partner in many different poses and positions. Many forms of adagio also incorporate throws and tosses; the male usually throws the female into somersault
s, layouts, and other acrobatic maneuvers. Most styles of dance incorporate some form of adagio (as dance lifts), including ballet (in pas de deux
), jazz, and lyrical. Ice skaters also perform lifts that belong to the adagio art. Whenever a person lifts another up in different artistic poses, or performs tosses where the bottom mounter catches the top mounter again, it is considered adagio.
Hand balancing, on the other hand, is the art of performing acrobatic maneuvers while supported wholly by your hands or arms. It is performed by acro dance
rs, circus performers, gymnasts, and sports acrobats. Hand balancing may be performed by partners or individuals. In partner hand balancing, a strong bottom mounter supports the top mounter in handstand
s, planches and other acrobatic poses. In solo handbalancing, a single artist performs handstands, one-hand stands, planches and other equilbristic maneuvers, usually on top of pommels
, blocks or other apparatuses.
Acrobalance is the combination of the two athletic art forms: adagio
lifts combined with strong-man hand balancing and partner acrobatics, such as double planches and partner handstands. Formats include male/female duo, trio, female/female, and other variations.
A performer on the ground doing the lifting and supporting in an acrobalance formation is often called the base, while a performer being lifted or tossed can be referred to as the flyer (or flier).
Acrobalance acts require a high degree of care, coordination, proprioceptive awareness, and mutual trust from the performers in order to avoid injury. Due to their extreme physical nature, acrobalance performances are usually no longer than eight to ten minutes in length .
Acrobalance acts are often set to music and performed as part of circus
es and other shows.
Adagio
Adagio (circus skill)
Adagio is the performance of partner acrobalance poses and associated movements that involve stationary balances by a pair of performers. It is performed in professional circus, in various dance disciplines including acro dance and ballet, in pair skating, and as a hobby in university circus...
consists of partner lifts, usually performed by a man and a woman, where the male lifts his female partner in many different poses and positions. Many forms of adagio also incorporate throws and tosses; the male usually throws the female into somersault
Somersault
A somersault is an acrobatic exercise in which a person does a full 360° flip, moving the feet over the head. A somersault can be performed either forwards, backwards, or sideways and can be executed in the air or on the ground...
s, layouts, and other acrobatic maneuvers. Most styles of dance incorporate some form of adagio (as dance lifts), including ballet (in pas de deux
Pas de deux
In ballet, a pas de deux is a duet in which ballet dancers perform the dance together. It usually consists of an entrée, adagio, two variations , and a coda.-Notable Pas de deux:...
), jazz, and lyrical. Ice skaters also perform lifts that belong to the adagio art. Whenever a person lifts another up in different artistic poses, or performs tosses where the bottom mounter catches the top mounter again, it is considered adagio.
Hand balancing, on the other hand, is the art of performing acrobatic maneuvers while supported wholly by your hands or arms. It is performed by acro dance
Acro dance
Acro dance is a style of dance that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements. It is defined by its athletic character, its unique choreography, which seamlessly blends dance and acrobatics, and its use of acrobatics in a dance context...
rs, circus performers, gymnasts, and sports acrobats. Hand balancing may be performed by partners or individuals. In partner hand balancing, a strong bottom mounter supports the top mounter in handstand
Handstand
A handstand is the act of supporting the body in a stable, inverted vertical position by balancing on the hands. In a basic handstand the body is held straight with arms and legs fully extended, with hands spaced approximately shoulder-width apart...
s, planches and other acrobatic poses. In solo handbalancing, a single artist performs handstands, one-hand stands, planches and other equilbristic maneuvers, usually on top of pommels
Pommel horse
The pommel horse is an artistic gymnastics apparatus. Traditionally, it is used by only male gymnasts. Originally made of a metal frame with a wooden body and a leather cover, modern pommel horses have a metal body covered with foam rubber and leather, with plastic handles .- History :The pommel...
, blocks or other apparatuses.
Acrobalance is the combination of the two athletic art forms: adagio
Adagio (circus skill)
Adagio is the performance of partner acrobalance poses and associated movements that involve stationary balances by a pair of performers. It is performed in professional circus, in various dance disciplines including acro dance and ballet, in pair skating, and as a hobby in university circus...
lifts combined with strong-man hand balancing and partner acrobatics, such as double planches and partner handstands. Formats include male/female duo, trio, female/female, and other variations.
A performer on the ground doing the lifting and supporting in an acrobalance formation is often called the base, while a performer being lifted or tossed can be referred to as the flyer (or flier).
Acrobalance acts require a high degree of care, coordination, proprioceptive awareness, and mutual trust from the performers in order to avoid injury. Due to their extreme physical nature, acrobalance performances are usually no longer than eight to ten minutes in length .
Acrobalance acts are often set to music and performed as part of circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
es and other shows.
External links
- Acrobalance.org - The acrobalance wiki, with descriptions of poses, movements, and grips.
- Circus stunts tutorial - Directions for performing some common acrobalance formations.
- Truuk.nl - A database of 220 acrobalance formations, including transitions between various poses. In Dutch.
- The Szarka Duo - Example of a male/female act