Twelve-year-old acrobat Jin Ying balances on one hand on a tiny elevated pedestal - she is the "revolving butterfly" and epitomizes one branch of Chinese acrobatic art. Jin captured the top international circus award for the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.

[Photo by Shanghaidaily.com]

An acrobat's prime, golden stage life is brief, perhaps only five to 10 years, but retired Kan Xuefang - known for her balletic "butterfly" performances balancing on one hand - lives through her students.

After 47 years of acrobatics, coach Kan passes on her skills of balancing on one or two hand while fluidly assuming graceful postures for an extended period of time. It is one of the most difficult forms of Chinese acrobatics, known, among other things, for its headstands and handstands, exercises in strength and balance.

"The happiest thing for me is to witness my students' success after arduous training," says Kan, 61, from the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. The company of 100 performers is the largest in the city, performing at Shanghai Circus World and the Shanghai Center.

Acrobatics dates back more than 2,000 years. It flourished during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and improved difficult performing skills such as wire-walking and rope-climbing.

"Perhaps acrobatics is a lonely art form," says Kan. "Both the performers and coaches must undergo arduous training and never stop challenging their physical and psychological limits."

Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe
Date: through March 31, 7:30pm
Venue: Lyceum Theater, 57 Maoming Rd
Tickets: 100-200 yuan