Adagio (circus skill)

Adagio is the name given to a specific set of partner acrobalance or acrobalance movements. Adagio originated in Eastern Europe, and is the most commonly taught of the circus acrobalance arts. Adagio involves transitions between various stationary balances. They involve one flier and one base. The base remains in contact with the ground and the flier is balanced in the air. The base may move between a variety of positions including lying on the ground, crouching, standing and kneeling. The flier may be balanced on the base's feet, hands, shoulders, knees, thighs, back or a variety of these. The flier can in turn be balanced on a variety of their body parts and in a variety of positions and orientations. The flier can be balanced horizontally or vertically or even upside down. It is easier for the flier to be lighter and the base heavier and stronger. This is not a necessity though as equal weights or even an imbalance of weights in the other direction can be used. This form of acrobalance can form a crowd-pleasing part of circus performances or be a hobby. As a hobby it is practised in university circus groups.