Inverted Forehead Pull

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Shannon Larratt

I’ve posted some beautiful tripod beach suspensions from the 8th Italian Suscon, but it was such an incredible gathering of talented and inspired individuals that I’m sure you know, even if you haven’t done much gallery browsing, that there were many amazing suspensions that happened.

One that really stood out to me was Alice Tancredi and a recent but dear friend, Martini Col Bivio, did together. There are two main ways to do a multi-person suspension (not including lifts) — tandem suspension, where one person hangs from another, or a suspended pulling, where people suspend separately, and are then connected by separate flesh hooks and ropes. This is what Alice and her friend did. They both did an inverted seated suspension, already an unusual setup, and then connected to each other with a forehead pull. I’ve done forehead pulls, so I was able to relate to the unique experience they offer — you can really get pulled into the other person’s psyche and even though you’re in public, it can become a very private event.

invertedforeheadpull-big-2

invertedforeheadpull-big-1

Suspension Glory

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Shannon Larratt

Following up on the amazing static rigging I posted earlier today, I want to show some more of the amazing work that’s going on in the suspension world — some just stunning technical suspensions have been done at recent SusCons around the world. I want to show you a couple of Lotus suspension variants first. I’m not sure what I should call this — perhaps a “patriotic suspension” because the pose is reminiscent of a WWII bomber art pinup, which I think fits nicely not just with suspensions but with tattoos because it’s a motif that is often seen there. This was done at Suspension MECCA 2012, and the photo is by Rolf Buchholz.

the-patriot

This next lotus variant is more difficult, and also beautifully executed, a double lotus with the bottom one inverted, as if it’s a suspeded reflecting pool or something. The left photo, of the rigging being done, is by Rolf, and the right photo is by Steve Joyner. You can also see the esteemed Havve Fjell (Wings of Desire) doing the rigging in the photo — it’s amazing watching the best minds in suspension get together to create these moments. Now what’s next? Rigging the guy on the bottom traditional lotus style as well, and tossing both of them in a building sized rotisserie? Why the hell not?

All that fawning commentary said, I wonder if there is a point where we throw up our hands in a mix of humor and despair and walk out of the room? I mean, can suspensions ever jump the shark? If the asstronaut suspension couldn’t do it (and gosh there’s some fun stuff in that link), how about what Andrii Panchenko calls an “ass duet”, which is just what he’s doing here with his friend, photographed about two years ago.

Well, after 20,000 years or so people hanging from hooks, I figure it’s going to take a lot more than this to knock it out of our genome. I mean look, hang a guy from just one hook, and even the strength of two big guys won’t tear him down it’s so awesome (photo by Rolf Buchholz, Suspension MECCA 2012). Never coming down, never!!!

never-coming-down

Downside-Up

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Rob

It seems that every time we see Supa here, he’s come up with a suspension that is even more complex than the last. As I’ve previously mentioned, Supa and the Kaptive8 Suspension Krew have been putting together “transformation” suspensions. Using a fixed set of hook points, Supa moves from position to position, allowing his body to contort into every possible shape it can manage. He’s becoming both a marionette and puppeteer. Here’s his latest, using 6pts and moving through 15+ positions.

Be sure to visit the Kaptive8 Suspension Krew’s BME Gallery to see just how Supa managed to go from an invisible chair suspension, to an inverted lotus.

Down on the Upside

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Rob

I was really tempted to do a “In Soviet Russia” joke for this photo, thankfully for all of us, I didn’t. And in case you haven’t guessed by now, this inverted lotus was facilitated by The Sinner Team.

I think that from now on, whenever I post a photo of an inverted suspension, I should post the photo upside down.

Lotus Inversion

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Rob

When one thinks of a lotus suspension, the immediate image that comes to mind is that of meditation. The position itself leads to the connection between suspension and personal meditation, really showing off the spiritual side of the suspension ritual.

Lately we’ve been seeing images from the Sinner Team that show them pushing the limits of suspension, with suicide suspensions 700ft in the air, triple tandem suspensions, or a 50 point lotus suspension. Below you can see sometimes they just stick to the basics and work with someone not necessarily for show, but for the spiritual growth that can come from being in the air. Or course, it is the Sinner Team, so a traditional lotus now becomes an inverted lotus.

Just like their other suspensions, this inverted lotus was well documented, and you can see all of the photos in the lotus suspension gallery.

If you’re having problems seeing all of the images, make sure that you’re logged into your BME account. If you don’t have one, you can sign up today for a free subscription that will get you access to more photos in the galleries than if you’re browsing while not logged in.