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Waistwraps
Resembling the poi waistwrap move, it is executed by reaching the middle of the staff to the opposite waist from behind, whilst spinning it in a vertical plane.
note the lower hand's placement near the hip
In the above example, the very smelly twirler performs it with double staves in split-time, alternating each staff high before tucking it low on the other side. However, the sidetuck can be performed simply with a single staff alternating with just a figure-of-eight.
Hints: turning your shoulders buys you the extra agility necessary to execute this move. Keep the wrist very close to the waist as in the above. Also, start your wrapping early so as to allow for the staff to spin one revolution.
(specific transition to execute next move is to begin leaning as one side is being tucked)
Side aerial
Involving a setup, whipping leap and an angled landing, the side aerial requires coordination and agility to flip the twirler around the fire for once.
Peformed in a sidetuck, the twirler spins around the staff for a change
Setup by leaning away from the direction of travel (the leftmost figure also has a firestaff tucked toward the direction of travel It is necessary for this combo, but shouldn't be done if you are new to flips)
The whipping leap, performed swifty with fierce strength toward the direction of travel as the torso and rear leg near the horizontal. The body must jump as one (and with one leg) when the torso reaches the position of the (middle-left figure).
Concentrate & visualise your forward leg providing only upward momentum - your torso's fiercely forward leaning should provide you with the torque to flip sideways as you rise, landing on the opposite side. The fierce whipping action of the arms and staves should help the torque.
Hint: Note that the 'flip' need not be totally 360°! (that is for the wushu/gymnastix/capoerista nuts out there :) ) you can launch your side aerial late (as your torso reaches the horizontal) and land it early (as your torso turns only 180° degrees in the air and lands with the forward leg strected out toward the ground)
For goodness sakes, please do not try this if you are new to flips - learn to tumble, to land with a minimum of pain. learn to walk before you can run! - remember, we love you and don't want you in a wheelchair!
(transition to next particular move is simply double figure of 8 whilst pacing)
360° bodyturn
The bodyturn is a dance/wushu movement where the twirler spins once on their axis by 'coiling up' their legs in the direction of travel, taking the torso and upper body with the motion as they uncoil.
A way to pirouette while performing a double figure of 8
Start the movement by shifting most of the weight in the leg in the direction of travel. In the above example, the direction of travel is to the left of the twirler.
Next, smoothly glide the rear foot (the above twirler's right) to the opposite side of the forward foot, so that it resembles the coiled up stance in the middle-left illustration above. As you do this, gently shift your weight back evenly between both legs.
Then, uncoil your whole body on it's axis, being careful not to burn yourself :) This spinning action releases great potential energy from your legs and can be further powered by coordinating the outstretching of your arms/firetoys as in the middle-right ilustration.
As your legs finish their energy, continue the torque motion now with your hips to the extent of your agility. If your hips can't take it, compensate with footwork by spinning both heels, coiling your legs up further in the direction of spin. Your body position should now resemble the rightmost figure above.
Hint: You needn't get too dizzy executing this movement. Simply keep your head facing the direction of travel and fix it there right until the uncoiling of your legs whereby you simply flick your head around 180° - the rest of the body will be turning a further 180°, minimising vertigo!
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waistwraps
