Circus Disciplines Explained
Aerial discipline derived from the Aerial Rope made up of a large length of fabric folded in half to form two fabric panels hanging vertically from a hooking device, inside which the acrobat rolls and contorts to execute aerial dance and acrobatic moves and tricks.
Ancient acrobatic discipline dating from the most ancient of times that requires the balancing acrobat to execute various moves and acrobatics while balancing on the hands or head, either on the ground or on virtually any type of apparatus.
Acrobatic discipline executed at ground level by two carriers who, using their arms, catapult a flyer to stand on the interlaced hands of the carriers, a position called banquette. The impetus allows the flyer to perform acrobatic leaps and return to the starting point.
Specialty originating in China, consisting of a set of wooden or metal hoops of varying diameters that are balanced one on top of the other on the ground, through which the acrobats propel themselves while performing various acrobatics.
Apparatus of Asian origin consisting of one or several vertical metal posts fixed into the ground and generally 3-to-9 metres in height, along which acrobats move, climbing and executing various moves and acrobatic jumps.
Aerial discipline consisting of a slack rope attached at both ends to form a swing roughly 6 metres long. As it swings, the acrobat performs holds, turns and other aerial acrobatics. Used in the seventeenth century by Tightrope walkers, this discipline predates the invention of the Trapeze.
The practice of extreme physical flexibility, thousands of years old, which allows the contortionist to accomplish exaggerated positions using extreme stretching, flexing and bending of the arms and legs.
Acrobatic disciple derived from the German Wheel invented by Quebecer Daniel Cyr, cofounder of Cirque Éloize and composed of a simple metal circle in which the acrobat moves. Using his own impetus, he is able to turn unceasingly while executing acrobatics.
Of German origin, this apparatus is comprised of two large metal circles joined along the perimeter by a series of short bars, inside which the acrobat stands and uses his own impetus to propel the wheel, whirling and performing acrobatics while defying the laws of gravity.
Demanding acrobatic discipline performed by two or more acrobats on the ground in which the carrier executes various moves involving strength, balance, elevation and flexibility by carrying the flyer on the hands or sometimes the head.
Art requiring dexterity and agility dating to the most ancient of times. Juggling may be practiced individually or in a group, in the air or on the ground, and consists of throwing various objects in the air that may be of almost any type: rings, balls, clubs, etc.
First employed by Boris Isaevy in 1958, this acrobatic discipline is executed on the ground by two carriers who support, either on the shoulder or arms, a flexible bar upon which a flyer stands upright and performs a variety of precarious moves.
Aerial apparatus consisting of a cotton rope stranded or braided to a 3-to-5 centimetre diameter that hangs vertically upon which the acrobat executes various acrobatic tricks and moves.
Acrobatic specialty of Asian origins, consisting of two thin parallel straps several metres in length, along which the acrobat rolls and unrolls using the wrists and arms to execute rises, falls and acrobatics, all the while suspended.
Collective number involving several acrobats wherein one or two pushers leap onto one end of a rocking board from atop a pedestal and catapult flyers into the air. The flyers perform acrobatic feats before returning to the ground, to the shoulders of a team of carriers, or to a perch or chair.
Apparatus consisting of a metal cable suspended horizontally between two mounts upon which the acrobat moves and executes a series of moves, balances, dance steps, leaps and acrobatics.
Discipline evolving from gymnastics that first made an appearance in circus shows at the beginning of the twentieth century. It consists of an elastic film of varying sizes stretched between supports on a footed frame, upon which acrobats execute various acrobatic moves and jumps.
Aerial acrobatic apparatus consisting of a round horizontal bar suspended from both ends by two vertical cords that attach it. Several versions of the trapeze exist: Flying Trapeze, Swinging Trapeze, Dance Trapeze, Static Trapeze, Washington Trapeze, Double or Triple Trapeze, etc.
