Chinese pole

Chinese pole
Chinese pole.

Chinese poles are vertical poles of aluminium on which circus performers climb, slide down and hold poses. The poles are generally between 3 and 9 metres in height and approximately 3 to 4 inches in diameter.[1] Some poles have a slightly larger pole that rotates around the static central pole using ball bearings. This rotating pole allows a performer to spin on the vertical axis, giving a performer the ability to incorporate rate of spin into what would otherwise be static moves. bringing the body closer into the pole causes the performer to spin faster. A few Chinese pole tricks have been incorporated with erotic pole dancing techniques.

The poles are sometimes covered with rubber to improve grip. However, the rubber can cause friction burns on parts of the Chinese pole artists' bodies.

The most famous trick is "the flag" where the artist hangs straight out from the pole with his or her hands. This requires a very strong upper body. A few people are able to do push ups in this position, and even fewer can rotate the legs around in a circle—this requires enormous core strength.

References

  1. ^ "Circus Dictionary". National Institute of Circus Arts. http://www.nica.com.au/dictionary. Retrieved 10-1-09. 

External links

  • Chinese pole Artistic agency that presents Chinese pole
  • Polearis - Solo Chinese Pole Circus Act
  • Four-Cubed - Group Chinese Pole act on A Cube of Poles
  • Tomachinois - Thomas Dechaufour, A French Chinese Pole Artist.