The aerial hoop (also known as the lyra, aerial ring or cerceau/cerceaux) is a circular steel apparatus (resembling a hula hoop) suspended from the ceiling, on which circus artists may perform aerial acrobatics. It can be used static, spinning, or swinging. It can be single point or double point. Tricks that can be performed include the Candlestick, Bird's Nest and Crescent Moon.
Mechanism Lyras hang from their rigging via a spanset. Most aerial hoops connect at either one point (single tab configuration) or two points (double tab configuration), with some tabless variations tied directly onto the hoop rather than on a tab. The number of tabs an aerial hoop has will depend on how it will be used, the intended effect, and the performer's comfort level. All rigging hardware that connects to an aerial hoop must be safety tested and certified to ensure the performer is safe.
Footnotes
References Introduction to Rigging: Aerialist Essentials by Simply Circus Basic Circus Arts Instruction Manual: Chapter 8 - "Manual for Safety and Rigging." [PDF, 3.3 MB] European Federation of Professional Circus Schools (FEDEC), 2008. FM 5-125: Rigging Techniques, Procedures, and Applications. US Army, 1995. Jayne C. Bernasconi and Nancy E. Smith. Aerial Dance. United States: Human Kinetics, 2008. () View at Google Books Hovey Burgess, Judy Finelli. Circus Techniques. Brian Dube, 1989. () Carrie Heller. Aerial Circus Training and Safety Manual. National Writers Press, 2004. () Shana Kennedy. Aerial Skills Illustrated 2007. Project 630570 at Lulu.com, 2007. Rebekah Leach and Julianna Hane. The Aerial Hoop Manual Volume 1. AerialDancing.com Sharon McCutcheon, Geoff Perrem. Circus in Schools Handbook. Tarook Publishing, 2004. () Steven Santos. Simply Circus: "Rigging I". [PowerPoint presentation, 572 KB] Elena Zanzu, M.A. Il Trapezio Oscillante: Storie di Circo nell'Aria. (The Swinging Trapeze: Histories of the Circus in the Air.) Bologna University, Italy, 2004–2005. Language: Italian.
External links Aerial Arts FAQ (From Simply Circus)