Simonne at Emerald City Trapeze

Weightless Moments

Physical and Quantum Physical Aspects of the Aerial Arts

Many of us think they know the laws of gravity. When asked almost everyone will answer with the adage, “What goes up must come down”.

When further pressed for details many will be perplexed at the question as to whether gravity is pushing the object or pulling

it back toward the Earth after its launch upwards.

The reality of all this is that modern physicists are entirely perplexed by the whole gravity concept. Even Einstein reversed himself a number of times on the topic and never developed a theory that satisfied him.

According to the late particle physicist Richard Feynman: "The theory of gravitation... was not understandable from the laws of motion... gravitation is, so far, not understandable in terms of other phenomenon... So not only have we no experiments with which to check a quantum theory of gravitation, we also have no reasonable theory."

To more deeply understand the relationship between objects and the Earth it must be pointed out that before an object can reverse direction and fall back to Earth, that object must stop, creating what we call a “weightless moment”. So it is far more true to suggest that, “What goes up, stops, then comes down”.

Opening our understanding and perception to this concept can greatly increase our abilities and poise on the aerial apparatus. Many comment that this “weightless moment” is very brief.

Current human neuroscientific theory affirms that the harder you perceive the task the more your perception of time changes. New experiments have shown that stress, fear, adrenaline, and other neurochemicals can effect our perception of time. Soldiers and law enforcement personnel have reported that "time slows down" even when they are in training exercises. Many have reported that during an auto accident or other traumatic experience, a similar slowing of time is perceived.

In fact the perception of time duration could be a separate sense or an integration of senses that can be refined and developed through experience.

There is scientific support that the duration of these “weightless moments” is a matter of perception and our perception of these intervals can be developed and refined. Mysteriously, when we are weightless at these times, we are physically flying, like a bird or an airplane.

For aerialists, whether working with a partner, solo, on a static apparatus, or on a flying trapeze, this simple, often overlooked, phenomenon can be very important. When an aerialist finds those “weightless moments”, perceives them as more than a brief interval, and uses them to advantage, their movement becomes far more effortless and effective.

In flying trapeze these weightless moments occur almost immediately when the artist jumps into the air from the board, effectively creating a change in direction from the jump to the descent toward the net for the first swing. When the artist reaches the apex of the first swing, the second weightless moment occurs, this is the best time to accomplish any task, whether it is getting into a position or turning around. Solo and partner static aerial presents similar opportunities.

We hope to increase awareness of the quantum physical aspects of the aerial arts, enhance ability, grace, and poise, as well as encouraging an overall enlightened understanding and lifestyle.

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Simonne and Katie at RepubliQ

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