Buzz
During the 2012 Belgian premiere of Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo,' artists showcased solo and group performances using Cyr wheels.
Didier Messens/Getty ImagesImagine yourself at a contemporary circus, not the traditional Barnum & Bailey type with lion tamers and grand announcements, but the modern, avant-garde style popularized by Cirque du Soleil — mysterious, exotic, and distinctly French.
As the lights dim, a solitary spotlight focuses on a man in the center ring. He stands alone, holding a large aluminum ring akin to an oversized hula-hoop. With effortless ease, he rolls the ring on its edge, guiding it in a smooth, circular motion around him.
With a gentle touch, he sets the ring into a slow, wobbling spin, resembling a giant coin about to fall. Timing his movements perfectly, the man steps in, out, and around the spinning ring, executing a beautifully synchronized dance.
With remarkable athleticism, the man steps onto the wheel, securing it with both hands and feet. For a moment, he mirrors the iconic pose of Leonardo da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man."
Harnessing the wheel's momentum, he performs a series of intricate spins and flips, showcasing elegant somersaults and rapid rotations. The performance peaks as he lifts his feet off the wheel, stretching his body outward, seemingly floating on the wheel while maintaining complete control over its movement.
This mesmerizing act is known as the Cyr wheel, or roue Cyr in French. The 33-pound (15-kilogram) ring was invented by Daniel Cyr, a Canadian circus artist who debuted his creation in 2003 at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris. Cyr (pronounced "seer") earned a silver medal for his breathtaking performance on this innovative apparatus [source: Cirque Eloize].
In just over a decade, the Cyr wheel has revolutionized the circus industry. Today, countless amateur and professional acrobats, gymnasts, and street performers worldwide incorporate the wheel into their acts, constantly pushing the boundaries of its possibilities.
History of Acrobatic Wheels
The Cyr wheel didn't emerge from nowhere; it was the culmination of nearly a century of evolution. Daniel Cyr took the concept of the mono wheel, a simple metal ring, and transformed it into its most advanced and celebrated form.
Valérie Inertie, an acrobat and Cyr wheel performer, has curated an excellent historical account of the wheel and its forerunners on her website.
Doris Humphrey, a pioneering American dancer, is likely the first modern artist to integrate a mono wheel into her performances. Promotional images from her 1923 piece, "Scherzo Waltz," depict her balancing a large metal ring strikingly similar to the Cyr wheel, with one leg elegantly raised.
A significant development occurred in Germany in 1925 when Otto Feick, a former railway worker, invented the Rhönrad, or German wheel. Feick drew inspiration from a childhood memory of rolling down a hill inside an iron-rimmed barrel, leading to the creation of this dual-ringed apparatus resembling a giant hamster wheel.
The Rhönrad gained immense popularity between the World Wars. Feick sold thousands of these double wheels in Germany and showcased his invention to enthusiastic audiences in London and New York. It became a staple in school gym classes and even served as a training tool for pilots. During the 1936 Berlin Olympics, 120 Rhönrad athletes showcased their acrobatic skills in the opening ceremonies [source: Inertie].
The initial mass-produced mono wheel, the closest ancestor of the Cyr wheel, was created in post-war East Germany by Adalbert von Rekowski in the early 1950s [source: Winkler]. Known as the Einreifen, this single-wheel device featured foot straps and a handlebar for stability.
When Daniel Cyr started experimenting with mono wheel designs in the 1990s, he was likely familiar with the double-ringed German wheel but unaware of the Einreifen, which had faded into obscurity. Cyr credits his inspiration for the Cyr wheel to a large hula-hoop and a circular wrought-iron coat rack [source: Inertie].
Cyr's initial prototype was crafted from a single piece of raw steel. Later versions utilized aluminum for reduced weight and included a PVC coating for smoother performance. He eventually developed a collapsible design that could be disassembled into five parts and quickly reassembled with screws [source: Inertie].
Next, we'll explore the Cyr wheel's journey to prominence, highlighting its top performers and most notable shows.
The Cyr Wheel Takes Off
Daniel Cyr, an alumnus of Montreal's National Circus School, started his circus journey as a "free ladder" expert, an act involving climbing and balancing on an unsupported metal ladder, occasionally juggling to increase the challenge [source: National Circus School]. In 1993, he co-founded Cirque Éloize, a variety show inspired by Cirque de Soleil, where he began developing the Cyr wheel.
Cyr debuted the wheel in 1998 during a Cirque Éloize production titled Excentricus [source: Inertie]. Over the next four years, he toured globally, showcasing his evolving Cyr wheel act. However, it was his silver-medal win at the 2003 "Circus of Tomorrow" festival that cemented the Cyr wheel as a legitimate circus art.
Before 2003, Cyr had trained a few Cirque Éloize artists in using the wheel. Following his Paris success, he was invited to coach others, including Valérie Inertie, who became the first Cyr wheel performer outside Cirque Éloize.
In 2005, Cirque de Soleil approached Cyr to create a Cyr wheel act for their show "Corteo." He also performed his mono wheel routine at the 2006 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Turin, Italy [source: Cirque Éloize].
Cyr returned to the National Circus School in Montreal to train instructors, ensuring the next generation could master the Cyr wheel [source: Inertie]. The wheel's popularity soared online, with countless YouTube videos and websites offering professional-quality Cyr Wheels for under $1,000.
Let's move beyond the history and dive into the action.
How to Use a Cyr Wheel
The Cyr wheel's appeal lies in its adaptability, suitable for both novices and experts. The equipment remains identical for all skill levels, and with dedication, anyone can master fundamental Cyr wheel techniques.
Selecting the correct Cyr wheel size is crucial. Manufacturers typically suggest a wheel about 3 inches (8 centimeters) taller than your height [source: Coggs]. Ensure you can stand comfortably inside the wheel and reach its edges with your arms fully extended at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions.
Opt for loose-fitting attire. Barefoot or socked feet are ideal for indoor practice, while sneakers are recommended for outdoor sessions on hard surfaces. Always practice on a non-slip surface for safety.
Mastering the Cyr wheel begins with achieving balance. The foundational posture involves standing upright, arms outstretched, and holding the wheel slightly ahead of your body. This "V" stance positions the center of gravity directly in front of your chest [source: Tribble].
Before attempting spins, practice balancing on the wheel using the balls of your feet. Once you're confident, experiment with these basic techniques:
- Skate start: Place one foot on the wheel and push off with the other, mimicking a skateboard motion. Bring the pushing foot onto the wheel and maintain the spin.
- Wheel-to-toe start: Use your arms to initiate the wheel's rotation, then step onto it as it spins.
- Roll-by start: Begin with your arms at the 9 and 12 o'clock positions. Twist your torso to position the wheel at your side, then spin it across your body as you step onto it in a seamless motion.
For video demonstrations of these techniques and more advanced moves, visit instructor Sam Tribble's YouTube channel.
In a fascinating blend of old and new, the Cyr wheel has gained traction within a niche sports community that dates back to the German wheel's golden era. Discover more about "wheel gymnastics" on the next page.
Dizziness is a common challenge when mastering the Cyr wheel, but most individuals adapt over time. Chewing ginger candy can also alleviate the discomfort.
Wheel Gymnastics
A Berlin wheel gymnastics team member demonstrates the German wheel, or Rhönrad, during a performance in Berlin in 2013.
RAINER JENSEN/AFP/Getty ImagesRecall the German wheel, the dual-ringed "hamster wheel" also called the Rhönrad? This athletic apparatus, invented by Otto Feick in the 1920s, still boasts a dedicated fanbase. Since the 1960s, enthusiasts have competed in "wheel gymnastics" championships [source: Inertie].
The International Wheel Gymnastics Federation (IRV) was established in 1995 to preserve the German legacy of competitive wheel acrobatics. The German Wheel features three main gymnastic disciplines [source: IRV]:
- In straight line events, gymnasts maneuver their wheels along a linear path, performing intricate flips and rolls
- During spiral events, athletes make the wheel spin and wobble like a giant coin
- In vault events, gymnasts leap from their wheels, executing impressive flips and twists before landing perfectly
The IRV world championships occur biennially. At the 2011 event in Arnsberg, Germany, the Cyr wheel was showcased as a demonstration sport. Instead of solo routines, two Cyr wheel performers competed head-to-head in a Cyr wheel "battle" [source: Inertie].
The 2013 Wheel Gymnastics World Championships in Chicago marked the Cyr wheel's debut as an official competitive event, complete with its own "Code of Points" [source: IRV]. Judges evaluate competitors on a technical program (without music) and a free program (with music), scoring based on execution, difficulty, and, for the free program, artistic expression [source: IRV]. The rules were revised and expanded for the June 2015 championships in Ligano, Italy [source: IRV].
Interested in wheel gymnastics? Over 500 clubs worldwide, including nearly a dozen in the United States, offer opportunities to try the German Wheel and Cyr Wheel. Reach out to your country's IRV member association to get started. Or, you could always join the circus.
