Jun/090
Most Flexible Ross Sisters
This is footage from the movie “Broadway Rhythm” (1944). The Ross sisters, Aggie, Maggie and Elmira, sing and move in ways that’ll make your average contortionist blush.
Just watch past the minute mark to see the moves begin. And my favorite is at the 2:50 mark. That has to be the most impressive back bend ever.
Good Luck and Good Acrobatics,
Logan Christopher
P.S. Thanks to Mike for pointing me to this video!
Aug/082
Watching the Amazing Chinese Acrobats
I was down at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk yesterday. Not to go on any rides but to watch the new show they’ve been having. The Amazing Chinese Acrobats.
I’ll never turn down an opportunity to watch talented individuals to their thing.
Before it all began the announcer was saying that many of these acrobats had trained since they were four years old. That it took athletic strength, impeccable balance, and flawless timing to do these stunts.
I fully agree with those statements. I’m going to try to head back to take some pictures and write up a few articles like I did for the Moscow Circus last year if I get the permission.
Just to give you an idea of what took place: a contortionist balancing glasses, a woman juggling a table with her feet, seven people on a single bicycle, pole climbing, hand balancing on the stacked chairs, and more.
Many of the classic Chinese acrobatic feats. Of course there were some new spins and I was impressed by their showmanship.
There were some kids nearby who exclamations made it seem like every move was an impossibility.
Don’t get me wrong, it was some amazing stuff. I couldn’t do a bunch of it and I was clapping right along with everyone else.
But here I was thinking I can do that one. I could get that with a little practice. To me nothing was impossible or magical. Just dedication and practice.
I don’t mean to come off as saying I’m on the level of these athletes. My point is that anyone can work up to some level of skill in feats similar to these.
And you don’t have to start at four years old, be five feet tall, or weigh less than 120 lbs.
If I can learn how to do a back flip just about anyone can.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. If you’re in the area, check out the show which is running through August 21st. If you’re not you can see of the best Chinese Acrobatics in the world.
Jan/080
Diane Robinson – Contortionist Extraordinaire
From the November 1950 issue of Acro-Chat.
Diane Robinson like many others has spent many happy hours working out with the gang at Santa Monica’s “Muscle Beach.” But her real training came from dancing school acrobatic teachers in Oakland and Hollywood, California.
Diane’s ease of manner, grace of work and charming personality has made her a favorite with western audiences. Many contortionists perform their bending on top of a small platform or pedestal, but Diane goes them one better by performing her difficult bends and balances on top of a large ball.
Here she is very much at ease in a free elbow stand balance.
In you want to try the contortionism thing then its still a matter of progressing from where you start. Trying to get the little bit more of back bend each time.
I wouldn’t recommend starting off on top of a ball. Just standing on top of a swiss ball proves to much for most people.
As far of the points of the elbows stand, go ahead and give it a try. Simply start from a forearm balance and raise your hands up. With a little practice you can add this trick to your repertoire.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. There’s a few more pictures of Diane demonstrating the front walkover which I’ll put up next time. Until then be sure to check out the new review on the Hand Balancing Mastery Course if you haven’t already.
Dec/070
A Night at the Circus
Circus Chimera had come to town. And I was not going to miss it. Last night, a group of friends and myself went to get in on the fun.
Sure its not Cirque de Soleil, but still, these guys and gals were good.
I knew that among the dancing, clowns, jugglers, acrobats, tap dancers from Argentina, and everything else there was bound to be some hand balancing.
The contortionists did not disappoint.
First up was a guy who started in the splits then moved into positions they probably don’t even have names for.
He crouched down on one arm and lifted up into a one-arm half planche. Now this skill is not very difficult (unlike a normal one-arm planche). Since your body rests on your elbow it does not take a huge amount of strength, just bodily control and balance. What impressed me was how this guy made it look. Perfect and steady as a rock, he got a big round of applause from the crowd.
After he squeezed into a small box as his finale, a Chinese girl came on stage. She went into the super limber back routine. A few kick-overs and turning about in inhuman ways later, she placed her hands on the ground.
She went into a hand balance with here legs spread wide. I can imagine, that doing the splits in air makes it easier to balance, since it lowers your center of gravity.
Bob Jones talks about the degree of bend in your back. Well this girl had her rear hovering just over her head as she balanced. You can find similar pictures in the last chapter of the book. Overall the show was well worth my time. It got me to thinking. What I have described was pretty much the full extent of hand balancing within this show.
If you could put together a nice little routine like the ones outlined in The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing, with your very best skill being a one-arm handstand, you could rightfully run off and join the circus.
I realize that may not be on your list of goals in life.
However, with a decent amount of practice you could be amazing people with your skills just like these performers anywhere you choose.
I suggest to all of you anytime you have an opportunity to see this kind of show you go. It will be sure to entertain and inspire as well.
Until next time,
Logan Christopher
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