Calisthenics is a uniquely Australian artistic sport, comprising of teams of pupils performing routines to music.  These routines are combinations of different types of movement including marching, exercises, club swinging, rod manipulation, dance (jazz, folk, modern), gymnastics, acting, ballet and singing.

Although calisthenics is a team sport, girls can also compete in solo and duo competitions.  A Graceful Girl Solo is a routine that focuses on aesthetic and balletic movements and is intended to enhance the girls poise, grace and flexibility.  Best Type Solo and Duo routines are half dance, half exercises and focus on jazz and contemporary dance and incorporates more gymnastic and strength work.

Girls gain a number of valuable attributes from calisthenics including confidence, coordination, fitness, discipline, team work, flexibility, dedication, and of course an opportunity to make new friends.

New members always welcome - First lesson FREE!

Team Items

Teams of 8 or more learn a number of routines each year and perform them at the CASA State Championships held in July - September each year. Tinies are non competitive and perform 3 items. All other sections are competitive and perform 5 items. Costumes, props and lighting add to the experience.

Preliminary Competitions are also held in May each year where Sub Juniors - Seniors perform 3 items from the 5 they are learning. This competitions are done wearing a basic black leotard. No lighting or props are allowed.

Figure March

(All sections)

The value of correct deportment is the emphasis in Figure Marching.  Though the marching team is also judged on its execution of intricate formations and patterns, deportment is the single most important factor and must be maintained strictly at all times.  The uniformity of style between marchers is a further basic requirement, whilst rhythm and precision from member to member must be identical.  Team- work is essential.

Free Exercises

(All sections)

The flexibility and agility pupils must maintain in Free Exercises makes possible the interesting and varied movements (e.g.; backbends, walkovers, leg mounts, splits) which are used in routines to demonstrate the physical capabilities of the performers. The Free Exercises section, whilst permitting a variety of more complex movements, is built on a series of basic ones, each of which must be correct in detail.

Clubs

(All sections except Tinies)

Club swinging is a most difficult art.  It demands coordination, concentration and many hours of practice.  An accomplished team can execute complex movements as each club swings through a perfect circle on an imaginary plane.  The performers must aim to swing as mirror images of one another and again, teamwork is essential.

Rods

(All sections except Tinies)

Rods are a challenging exercise in the use of apparatus.  The rod is made of metal and is approximately 5 – 10mm in diameter.  The manipulation of this simple piece of equipment demonstrates the pinnacles of coordination that the members of a disciplined team can achieve.  Whilst the rod itself is the focal point, the use of the body and the legs are also incorporated into the exercises.

Fancy Items

Only one of the following special items is performed at competitions each year.  The item to be performed in any given year for each section is announced by CASA (Calisthenics Association of SA). The Fancy Item for Tinies is Song & Dance each year.

Song & Dance

(All sections)

Throughout this type of presentation, singing and dancing must be evenly balanced, with the theme of the song carrying through and influencing the dance.  The type of dance performed is optional and the coach has unlimited freedom in the choreography of steps and movements.

Dance Arrangement

(Juniors, Inters & Seniors Only)

This item is purely a dance section.  Choreography is limited only by the coach’s imagination.

Aesthetic

(All sections except Tinies)

The Aesthetic section comprises a series of movements, which are soft and flowing.  Music is chosen for its variety of mood and tempo, but more particularly to facilitate the flow of the routine and the expression of the performers.  Elevated movements are not permitted.  Competing in the Graceful Girl section can assist greatly in developing the grace and poise necessary for aesthetic exercise.

Rhythmic

(Inters & Seniors Only)

Within Rhythmic Interpretations, turn-out, arm, foot and head positions are as for Aesthetic Exercises, however elevation is the essential component (eg; movements such as jete, grand-jete, cabriole and pirouette).  The dance can be set to a variety of rhythms and interpretation of a theme is expressed throughout the dance through music, costuming, and the use of mime and possibly principal dancers.

Rods/Dance

The basis of this item consists of a routine of equal balance – half rods and half dance. 

Folk

National Dances from all over the world are performed and interpreted theatrically. Pupils are expected to display correct steps in unison, while also conveying national character, agility and vitality.

Calisthenics Spectacular

(All sections except Tinies)

The basis of this item consists of a routine of equal balance – half-free exercises and half dance.  All movements and music are chosen in pertinence to the chosen theme.

Solo/Duo Items

Graceful Girl Solo

In the Graceful Girl section, girls present a routine comprising of aesthetic and rhythmic movements. It is designed to enhance the dancers grace and poise, flexibility, appearance, ability to interpret music into dance and dance ability. The CASA Graceful Girl Competitions are held in March/April each year. There are also several smaller club run competitions held during the year which are a great opportunity to get stage experience.

Calisthenics Best Type Solo

The Calisthenics Best Type Solo and Duo sections require the girls to present a greater diversity in their routine. They need to display elements of free exercises, aesthetic, dance and flexibility. Duo members must be in the same age group but do not have to be from the same club. The CASA Best Type Solo and Duo Competitions are held in November each year. There are also several smaller club run competitions held during the year which are a great opportunity to get stage experience.

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