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Chinese Acrobatics has a long, traditional history of over 2500 years, dating back to the Western Han Dynasty. Characterized by amazing skills of strength and extraordinary balance, Chinese Acrobatics was developed from the annual village harvest celebrations. The farmers and village craftsmen, with relatively little to do over the long winters, decided to spend their spare time improving their societal positions by becoming acrobats. Today, children are carefully selected at a young age to train in a grueling seven-year program in a boarding school. The typical age range for aspiring acrobats is 6 to 8 years. With the many hardships and sacrifices they face, the students all live together. Basic training is critically important for the young acrobats. They are taught the core skills of stretching, handstands, tumbling, and dance. For the acts performed, Chinese Acrobatics typically utilizes everyday household items such as plates, bowls, glass cups, and rugs.
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Double Beer Bottle
Balance Act
On top of his forehead,
the acrobat balances glass cups filled with water, while simultaneously playing an instrument and dancing around.
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Barrel Contortionist
Act
Moving in and out of
the tiny-sized barrel in various contorting moves, the male acrobat expresses comedy and displays extreme flexibility. A healthy and strong lower back is a must to perform well.
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Rice Bowls Balance
on Chinese Benches
Stacking the Chinese
benches higher and higher, the female acrobat moves
extremely slowly in handstand positions to avoid falling and to prevent the stack of rice bowls from tipping over. Requires intense
concentration and focus.
Pagoda Bowl Balance
Two Chinese acrobats
balance hand to hand in various movements while a
stack of rice bowls sits still atop the female's head.
The bottom male acrobat requires tremendous upper body
strength.
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