Top tips for Barani (Side Aerial)
Ring Ring
“Hello Infinite Edge Movement”
“Hello, my child would like to learn that cartwheel thing with no hands. They have been trying for over a year and can’t get it, can you teach them?”
“Well…. “ (Proceeds to direct above parent to this blog!!)
^^ We get this call or email at least once, usually more, times a week!!!
The barani. Often called the side aerial or like above ‘the cartwheel with no hands’ is one of the most sort after skills for dancers. Often with the strength and flexibility most dancers have, this is a relatively easy skill to master with the correct teaching! But probably the number 1 skill we see taught or executed badly.
If you come from gymnastics or competitive acrobatics you will probably call it a Barani and if you come from the dance world you probably call it Side Aerial. For this blog we will stick to Barani.
To be able to defy gravity (Wicked pun intended) there are a few key elements a student needs before they are able to safely execute the Barani. These being the basics; cartwheel, step hop cartwheel and barani prep. Without these skills the barani just won’t happen. We have all seen that child run like someone is chasing them from up-stage right corner to down-stage left corner, attempt the barani and almost graze their bun on the stage while the audience gasps with fear. It is our mission to erase this from the dance world and get dancers Barani-ing safely!!
So let’s break it down. The key elements of a barani are:
Step hop arm circle for prep
Back leg kick for rotation
Front leg push for that all important height
Half turn, which comes from that barani prep we have already mastered
And, land with the foot under the body
More often than not number 3 and 4 are the main elements missing from Barani’s that are skimming their bun net along the floor so we usually work the barani prep and other power drills to get the correct position to be able to take their hands off the floor.
We all want the Barani to look, and even more importantly feel, effortless and beautiful. Check out our video tutorial on our socials where we go through each element of the barani and how it should look to create that beautiful Barani.
If you are struggling with your Barani make sure you check out our Barani workshop coming in Term 1, 2025!