Human pyramid

Govindas forming a human pyramid to reach the Dahi Handi in Hiranandani Gardens, Mumbai.
Human pyramid by the Otago Dancers, at an Otago Highlanders game, May 2012.

A human pyramid is an acrobatic formation of three or more people in which two or more people support a tier of higher people, who in turn may support other, higher tiers of people. People above the bottom tier may kneel or stand on the shoulders, backs or thighs of the people below them. Typically, the number of people in each tier is one greater than the tier immediately above it, resulting in a triangular structure reminiscent of the formation's namesake.

For practical reasons, lighter people are often positioned higher in the formation and stronger, heavier people are located closer to the base. Human pyramids are performed in various activities, including cheerleading and in circus acrobatics.

Traditions involving human pyramids

China

Czech Republic

Sokol exercises in year 1924

India

See also: Govinda sport

Spain

Main article: Castell
Human pyramid built by a "Falcons" team in Catalonia

United States

Veneto

Cheerleading

Cheerleaders warming up for competition

Cheerleaders may perform human pyramids with more difficult stunt sequences and gymnastics incorporated into routines. In cheerleading, pyramids are multiple groups of stunts connected aerially by the flyers. This connection may be made by simple linking of hands or having a multi-level pyramid. The flyers already in the air act as primary bases for another flyer or flyers on top of them.

See also

References

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