NOW HERE'S USING YOUR HEAD FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN A PLACE TO HANG YOUR HAT!

I've been working on this post for so long, at this point I don't even know if it is ready. It started as a little thing about Head Balancing, and then I kept finding more photos in my files so it started growing, & on the other hand there were photos I would like to add, but got lost last year when the "Infernal Machine", committed suicide.

I checked out Wikipedia to see if I could find anything interesting about head stands, but there was not much there, except a lot about yoga, & a little bit about head spins in break dancing. Circus riding act comedians were doing "head spins", so long ago we won't even talk about it.

I did find this.
In Gymnastics:
The headstand, although not an "official skill", it is used in gymnastics as a precurser to many skills such as the handstand, headspring, ect. A gymnastics headstand can be done in any way; head only, head plus forearms, or head plus hands. Although it is often entered via a press, it can also be jumped into, although this is quite dangerous.

The most interesting thing I found was this warning, & I sincerely hope those who spent their lives,,,, on their heads,,,,will now know why they feel the way they do today.

(1) Basic risk factors and contra indicators related to the headstand:
Prominent Scoliosis; stiffness in neck,
shoulders or upper back; high blood
pressure or real low blood pressure;
neck injuries; serious vertigo;
prominent spinal defects; disc
injuries anywhere in the spine; weak
lower back or exaggerated lumbar
lordosis; frail upper body; eye
diseases; inner ear disorders;
complete or maybe even partial
nasal congestion; menstruation or
pregnancy; and dental infection
would be more or less obvious
possibilities to consider for
postponing a headstand practice.
You may add your own, please.
Each person is an individual so the
above conditions are guidelines
rather than absolutes.

So,,,,here's to those who got where they did in the business,,,,because they used their heads!!!!

NAIDA JOANIDES
I haven't seen this act but am quite certain it is an Aerial Act.

PRINCESS ELENA OMAR
Complete with her own musical accompaniment.

LAMBERTI JR.
This is Martin Lamberti, son of Willie Lamberti from the Gretona High Wire Act of many years ago.

THE WELDENS BALANCING ACT
I hope someone out there can put a name on this man, he also does a Double Trap Act.
My thanks to Eddy Ventura & Dale Longmire for ID'ing The Weldens Balancing Act, & The Raymils Double Trapeze Act.