Many people don’t know the
secret to balancing.
This is an easy trick and just requires one simple
command to follow!
WATCH THE
TOP OF THE OBJECT
YOU ARE TRYING TO BALANCE!
The secret to balancing is simply to
always watch the very top of the object.
Watching the object at the base tells
you nothing about where it is likely to
fall, whereas the top of the object moves
around much wider and gives you much more
visual clues which your brain can interpret
and co-ordinate with your body to keep
the object upright! It is easier to adjust
your movements to correct the balance
if you focus on the top of an object.
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| Something else that people may not be aware
of is that it actually harder to balance small
objects (such as pencils) than large objects
(such as broom handles). Tall objects have
a higher centre of mass. Basically this means
that they will begin falling slowly, giving
you a little more time to quickly correct
your body to keep the object upright. |
With the above knowledge, you are now
ready to begin!
What props do I need to learn balancing objects?
When teaching young children (aged
3-6yrs) I would use peacock feathers as
they are very slow moving in any direction! A balloon
on a stick may also be appropriate if you cannot
source peacock feathers! When teaching older pupils,
I tend to use Juggling clubs as
they have a good weight distribution. If you have
some staffs or broom handles,
then these are just as good!
Do not use small objects such as pencils/spoons
etc as these are not easy to balance due to their
low centre of mass!)
One final item to consider if you can already plate
spin, is to balance a spinning plate on various
parts of your body. The weight of the plate on the
stick, makes it easier than when you just try and
balance the stick, and it also looks more impressive!
Balancing an Object on your Hand
Your hand should be outstretched,
with the palm facing upwards. It is up to
you if you sit or stand for this first balancing
trick.
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Take a juggling club, broom handle, peacock
feather or something similar and place the
object on the palm of your hand and make
sure it is pointing upwards as vertically
as possible.
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| Gently let go with your
other hand so the object is now freely standing
upright. |
| If you notice the object slowly falling to
the left, then move your hand slowly to the
left. Whichever direction you can see that the
object is falling, move your hand gently in
that direction to counterbalance. When you are
balancing an object, what you are basically
doing is making sure that it cannot fall in
any direction! |
| Make sure that the pupil
always watches the top of the object and not
the base! This would be the most common mistake
for objects continually falling! |
Where else can I try balancing an object?
Once you have mastered balancing
an object on the palm of your hand, you can try
your fingertips (perhaps even slowly passing the
object from fingertip to fingertip), shoulders and
elbows. You can also try to balance yourself on
one raised foot while balancing an object on your
raised foot!
Your chin and forehead are the safest places to
balance objects on your head, as objects that are
balanced on your nose could slip and fall into your
mouth or eye!
You shouldn’t move around when you are balancing
objects on your head, as you have no way of being
able to see what is around you!
Some Other Props to Balance yourself on!
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To walk a
ladder, you can either buy a lead and exercise
it at least twice a day, or you can learn
to balance on it and do the walking bit yourself!
The walking ladder is an extra wide ladder
which you can balance on, and then learn to
walk along the ground moving the feet of the
ladder one step at a time! You can also balance
on the top rung (one leg at each side of the
ladder) and start juggling while walking along
with the ladder.
Available
to purchase on
Ladder/Globes page (UK only)! |
Balancing / Walking Globe
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This circus prop is for walking on top
of while keeping your balance! Once you are
good enough, then you can think about juggling
at the same time! The globe can then be used
as a way of enhancing your stage show, or
rising above the crowds and adding a bit of
a danger element to your street shows!
Available
to purchase on
Ladder/Globes page (UK only)! |
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A unicycle is a one-wheeled
human powered vehicle. Unicycles are similar
to, but less complex than, bicycles.
Not as difficult as you think to learn the
basic riding move, but you have to be prepared
to put in a lot of time and effort and not
just give up after a few false starts!
Available
to purchase on
Unicycles page (UK only)! |
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Also known as
rolla bolla, bongo board or teeter board.
The rola-bola consists of a cylinder and a board - you place the board
on the cylinder, hop up on the board and rock and roll to try to stay
upright. Looks even harder if you juggle at the same time. It's like a
one-man seesaw!
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