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Acrobatics (from Ancient Greek ἀκροβατέω (akrobatéō) 'walk on tiptoe, strut')[1] is the performance of human feats ofbalance,agility, andmotor coordination. Acrobatic skills are used inperforming arts,sporting events, andmartial arts. Extensive use of acrobatic skills are most often performed inacro dance,circus,gymnastics, andfreerunning and to a lesser extent in other athletic activities includingballet,slacklining anddiving. Although acrobatics is most commonly associated with human body performance, the term is used to describe other types of performance, such asaerobatics.
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Acrobatic traditions are found in many cultures, and there is evidence that the earliest such traditions occurred thousands of years ago. For example,Minoan art fromc. 2000 BC contains depictions ofacrobatic feats on the backs of bulls.Ancient Greeks practiced acrobatics,[2] and thenoble court displays of the EuropeanMiddle Ages would often include acrobatic performances that includedjuggling[citation needed].
InChina, acrobatics have been a part of the culture since theTang dynasty (618–907). Acrobatics were part of village harvestfestivals.[3] During the Tang dynasty, acrobatics saw much the same sort of development as European acrobatics saw during the Middle Ages, with court displays during the 7th through 10th century dominating the practice.[4] Acrobatics continues to be an important part of modernChinese variety art.
Though the term initially applied totightrope walking,[citation needed] in the 19th century, a form of performance art includingcircus acts began to use the term as well. In the late 19th century,tumbling and other acrobatic and gymnastic activities became competitive sport in Europe.
Acrobatics has often served as a subject for fine art. Examples of this are paintings such asAcrobats at the Cirque Fernando (Francisca and Angelina Wartenberg) byImpressionistPierre-Auguste Renoir, which depicts two German acrobatic sisters, andAcrobats in a Paris suburb byViktor Vasnetsov.[citation needed]
Acrobalance is a floor based acrobatic art that involves balances, lifts and creating shapes performed in pairs or groups.
Acro dance is a style of dance that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements.
Aerial is acrobatics performed in the air on a suspended apparatus.[5]
Atrapeze is a short horizontal bar hung by ropes or metal straps from a support. Trapeze acts may bestatic, spinning (rigged from a single point), swinging orflying, and may be performed solo, double, triple or as a group act.[5]
Corde lisse is a skill or act that involves acrobatics on a vertically hanging rope. The name isFrench for "smooth rope".
Cloud swing is a skill that usually combines static and swinging trapeze skills, drops, holds and rebound lifts.
Cradle (also known as aerial cradle or casting cradle) is a type of aerial circus skill in which a performer hangs by their knees from a large rectangular frame and swings, tosses, and catches another performer
Aerial silks is a type of aerial skill in which one or more artists perform aerial acrobatics while hanging from a long length of fabric suspended from a frame or ceiling.
Aerial hoop (also known as thelyra,aerial ring orcerceau/cerceaux') is a circular steel apparatus (resembling ahula hoop) suspended from the ceiling or a frame, on which artists may perform aerial acrobatics. It can be used static, spinning, or swinging.
Contortion (sometimes contortionism) is a performance art in which performers called contortionists showcase their skills of extreme physical flexibility
Tightrope walking, also called funambulism, is the skill of walking along a thin wire or rope. Its earliest performance has been traced to Ancient Greece.[6] It is commonly associated with the circus. Other skills similar to tightrope walking include slack rope walking and slacklining.
Tumbling is an acrobatic skill involving rolls, twists, somersaults and other rotational activities using the whole body. Its origin can be traced toancient China, Ancient Greece and ancient Egypt.[7] Tumbling continued in medieval times and then in circuses and theatre before becoming a competitive sport.
| Acrobatics, balance, and contortion | |
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| Juggling andobject manipulation | |
| Vaulting | |
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