The word Calisthenics is derived from the greek words "kallos" meaning beauty and "sthenos" meaning strength. These descriptions can certainly be seen in the many elements that comprise Calisthenics. Perhaps the most well-known of these are the apparatus items. Calisthenics has two different apparatus items, club swinging and rod twirling. These items can often involve complex choreography and apparatus movements and patterns and demand a high level of co-ordination and ability to be in synch. with the rest of the team. The clubs in Calisthenics are similar to those of the sport Rhythmic gymnastics and involve performing mills, swining movements, planing, and often involve asyncronous movement (eg the left club moves in opposite direction to the right club). The Rod is used in routines in much the same way as in those 1920s movies where they dance with a cane (think Charlie Chaplin!).
There is a freeform exercise (ie without the use of hand-held appartus) which looks very similar to the appartus exercises, and involves once again basic formations and the demonstration of gymnastic skills such as the splits and side leg-mounts. The difficulty requirement of these exercises has increased over time, and now you may even see advanced gymnastic moves being performed, such as backward and forward walk-overs.
Next is Figure Marching, where a team of up to sixteen girls are required to march perfectly in time and in formation with one another. They often execute intricate floor patterns, all the time correct poise and uniformity being assessed by the judges. Next we have aesthetics, which is the most balletic and expressive of the elements. For this element the calisthenic girl is required to interpret the music with feeling and softness, all reflected through their body movements and facial expressions. Ballet (adage and port de bras) has influenced the progress and development of this section through positioning of the arms and feet.
Additional elements The elements mentioned above are always performed as part of a calisthenics competition. Additionally, there are several other elements of Calisthenics which are not as widely used and may or may not be performed depending on the year. Some may only be performed by certain age groups, and some may only be seen at end-of-year performances, not competitions. These extra elements include: Folk Dance, Song and Dance (Jazz dancing combined with singing), Rhythmic Dance Interpretation (much like ballet), Action song (for kids), and the Calisthenic Spectacular, a combination or demonstration of all elements of calisthenics. A true celebration of the sport!
Last but not least, there is an opportunity for girls to enter the Graceful Calisthenic Competitor section, an opportunity to perform a variety of work in a solo or duo performance. This leads to the coveted award of Graceful Girl of the year, a title which is competed for annually, at a national level.
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