You may remember from our first post on the events taking place in Springfield, that this began with Aaron King, who witnessed body suspension taking place in a neighboring yard and has since sought to ban body suspension from public view. It is certainly a slippery slope to tread on, and I am sure the city council members are aware of the many doors this could open with neighbors who might disagree with the lifestyle choices of those around them. The current proposal that the city council is considering putting into place would require all adjoining property owners to sign a consent form, as well as permission from at least half of the property owners within 185 feet of the property that are non adjoining in order to be able to perform body suspension in public view, which includes private property. Along with seeking permission from the property owners around them, they would be banned from performing suspension within 200 feet of a school, church, child care facility or other facility that serves children under 18 years of age. Even as the many problems with this set of guidelines were being pointed out at the recent city council meeting, the members were adding to the list of restrictions to place on those in the body suspension community.

The most recent addition, and perhaps the most disturbing, was the mention of making an amendment to ban any minors from attending a suspension meet. The idea of a child being around body suspension was compared to child abuse by one council member according to a local news source. In a world full of bad influences, I find it incredibly upsetting that an enviroment which promotes trust, love, friendship, kindness, and respect toward one another could be seen as abusive. Although other council members disagreed with banning minors from witnessing suspension, the addition currently could state that any minor would need written permission from a parent to attend a body suspension meeting. The list of problems with this regulation could go on for miles. What happens when a neighbor decides that their child being exposed to the same sex couple holding hands next door is indecent and wants to ban it from view? What if one parent consents to their child attending but the other doesn’t, and more importantly, exactly what screening process is used to authenticate if this written permission is in fact from a parent or legal guardian? Will the city be willing to take on the financial burden of creating the documents necessary to fulfill these requirements, and then appointing someone to the position responsible for overseeing it? Should this pass, I have a feeling that there will be so many unanswered questions and issues to address that the city council will be tied up if fixing what they have created for longer than they realize.

At this point there isn’t much to be done other than waiting to see what the next step will be as revision after revision is made and new issues are addressed. There have been several comments about letter writing or otherwise contacting the city council to express opinions about the matter. Please keep in mind, that this is something that can help or hinder the situation. I think that writing to explain the positive side of suspension or your views on the matter in a polite and well worded way could hopefully help to shine a new light on who we are. Likewise, emails that attack the individuals on the council and the decisions they are weighing will do nothing but confirm any stereotypes they have been given about who we are as a community. We have to keep in mind, they are not intentionally being hostile toward us; they are individuals faced with creating laws about a lifestyle and a practice they don’t understand. Let’s make sure we leave a positive impression on them as they make their decisions.

If you choose to contact the City Council, it is headed by Mayor Jim O’Neal who can be reached at joneal@springfieldmo.gov

The concept of creating these wings had been on Jesse’s mind for some time, and after seeing the technique used by Solvere7, he was inspired to use a similar method to make his vision a reality. This set of wings is the first step toward a much larger project in which he hopes to create several different styles of tensioned wings using similar framework along with piercing needles and play piercings to anchor them to the body. The models and their works of art would be a part of an exhibit set up through his studio, Immortal Canvas Tattoo and Body Piercing. Currently the project is waiting on a few details to come together, such as an adequate number of models willing to sit through that many piercings and then wear them for an extended amount of time. Let’s hope that everything falls in place for him; I would love to see the photos from it.

I think this style of pull is something we will continue to see more of, and although it’s not something I have tried, I can understand the appeal of it. For many of us, a pull is an exchange of energy. It can be intense both physically and emotionally, as well as exhausting. This style of pull seems to be something different altogether. The intensity comes in the peaceful quiet of laying there as needle after needle is insterted. Where most of us generally take two hooks for an average pull, this project involved piercing her back 26 times; quite the experience even before applying tension to it.

I personally can’t wait to see where the people in our community take this. There is something about the subtle gentleness of these pieces that has really captivated me. Thank you so much for sharing this with us Jesse. I would imagine that there are quite a few of our readers that might be interested in volunteering to model some of these great designs as the project comes together. Best of luck with it, be sure to take plenty of pictures for us!

It really is a pretty amazing feeling to know that while you are experiencing all the incredible sensations of a suspension, there are people all over the world sharing in it with you. It’s a wonderful connection to have, and I think the idea was a lovely way to unite several different groups with our common passion. Although many of us are divided by distance and language barriers, the shared feelings we have toward body suspension are strong enough to overcome that and remind us of how alike we all really are.

After the success of the Attack Brazil suspensions, there is now talk of a worldwide suspension day that will be geared toward the suspension community as a whole. I think it’s a fantastic idea. With all of the differences or disputes we may have in the suspension community, it’s nice to have a reminder that we are all connected by our love of this incredible experience we share. I will be sure to post more information as the event is created. If it happens, I would love to see teams from every state and country possible participating; we have the opportunity to make this event a truly positive and memorable experience for us all.

Congratulations on the success of your event Max. I can’t wait to see how the worldwide suspension day turns out!

About the day, Kaspa said, “On November 11, 2011 the DisGraceLanD family lost yet another soldier in there ranks, Peter “BIG” Tabaco. In his honor, the DisGraceLanD family came all together to send their brother off right. On November 17, 2011 the DisGraceLand team set up shop at The Brooklyn Dojo, suspending 19 people from 2 rig points, one of them being the same rig point that he has taught so many of DisGraceLanD’s crew members from. Out of the 19 people , 9 of them were first timers all taking hooks for their missed love one. Emotions filled the loft space as tears of joy and sadness filled all the eyes of all that were in attendance. The highlight of the night was when Peter’s brother, John Tabaco, removed his shirt, took 2 6g hooks, and hung for his brother. As he hung, the feeling of Peter was upon all the hearts of his crew members. John took the hooks and hung like he had done it a thousand times; swinging back and forth, feeling the freedom his brother would always tell him about.

Peter was a keystone in the DisGraceLand Family and will be missed from now till forever. But from before he left you can still see his teaching in members of DisGraceLand and other crews, you can still feel him every time you throw a hook, rig a knot, or lift a rope. Your body may not be here brother but your energy is. Forever Missed and Forever Loved………….”

I think it’s amazing that even in passing, he was able to share this beautiful thing he was a part of with so many people who knew his love for it, but had never taken part in it themselves. It is an incredible gesture that they would do something that for many is so intimidating and hard to understand, all out of love for their fallen friend. I think any one of us would be lucky to have touched people in a way in life, that they would make such a bold move to honor us in death.

I hope to see many of you at Superpull as we celebrate the lives of Peter and Spliff. There is going to be a lot of good energy and love filling that day.

And of course, “D – I – S – G – R – ACE  LAND!  IF YOU DON’T KNOW…”

Levitate Tallinn is made up of Dmitry, his wife Rita, and their close friend Veljo. They first came into suspension two and a half years ago when Rita decided that she wanted to experience it for herself. Although Dmitry admits that their first suspension wasn’t amazing, they did have a great time, and have since worked to learn more. He sought out information from every contact he knew involved in body suspension, sending emails and taking in what he could from them to better his skills and his team. As his learning continued, new friends were made in the body suspension community, and they attended both the 2010 BMXnet and the 2011 Moscow Suscon to work along other practitioners and pick up new techniques and information.

Lately, Dmitry has been working with Arseniy Andersson of #Leeds suspension team out of Russia. I am sure it is a great help for their team to know that there are plenty of nearby practitioners that are willing to reach out to them and offer assistance as they move forward. Teams that have a focus on educating and bettering themselves are definitely the future of this community. I can’t wait to see what comes from this group as they continue to grow.

Thank you for the information and the photos Dmitry. It was a pleasure speaking to you.

In their most recent public meet, pictured below, they were lucky enough to be allowed to use this courtyard which offered an ideal amount of space and height for them to play. As the day began, a crowd gathered to watch as the smiling suspendees took to the air. Some came and went, while others were intrigued enough to stay and watch all of the suspensions that happened that day.

Along with public meetings like this, Diabos Mutantes also hosts private, more intimate sessions for their suspendees and team members. Their group first came together in 2006, and judging by the smiles on everyone’s faces in their photo galleries, they are really enjoying both participating in and facilitating suspensions. With the quickly spreading interest in body suspension in Brazil, I am sure we will continue to see more from the teams in that area as they learn and grow as practitioners and as a community.

Thank you for all of the information and the photos!

Nearly a decade ago, Tom was in a serious motorcycle accident which claimed his left leg, arm, shoulder, and collar bone, confining him to a wheelchair. After months of discussing the idea of suspending with his friend Jake of WayLay Suspension, plans were made to put him up. Careful planning was needed to ensure his comfort and safety as they worked around the missing support system of bones in his left shoulder. The final decision was to place 2 hooks in his torso and 4 hooks down his back. All that was left was the actual suspension itself.

Once his rigging was finished, Tom was raised to a standing position, and given time to adjust to the feeling. With little hesitation he instructed the team to get him up. I think with the smile on his face in these photos, saying that he enjoyed himself is a drastic understatement. He loved it! After coming down for a minute, he chose to go back up a second time, having just as much fun as the first round. He is already discussing his next idea, which is looking like it will be a ‘Captain Kirk’. Hopefully we will see more photos as he continues to explore suspension.

About his friend’s suspension, Jake said, “Tom’s guts and perseverance is and inspiration to me. Proving to himself, he can overcome any obstacle he puts his mind to. We made a dream come true for him that day, and I know the rest of us took something home as well!”

I think this story is one that reminds us of what an incredible thing we are all a part of. Hearing Tom’s story game me chills and a huge smile of my face. I can’t begin to imagine what a positive and empowering experience this must have been for him. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

Information about the entry: Designed by architect Frank Gehry, Walt Disney Concert Hall, new home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, is designed to be one of the most acoustically sophisticated concert halls in the world, providing both visual and aural intimacy for an unparalleled musical experience. From the stainless steel curves of its striking exterior to the state-of-the-art acoustics of the hardwood-paneled main auditorium, the 3.6-acre architectural landmark embodies the unique energy and creative spirit of the city of Los Angeles. Construction began in 1999 and was completed in October of 2003. On Christmas Day 2011, members of CoRE rigged from a tree across the street at the Los Angeles Supreme Court Building and suspended Natalie Smith in a four point resurrection. Neither waiting for the buses at the light to stop blocking the shot or the foot traffic on the sidewalk that was oblivious to what was going on could stop Natalie from suspending from four blacksheeps when the light went from red to green. Photography by Damon Pierce.

We had plan

Information about the entry: This is Lucky Hell, part of Helsinki’s Supersankari Suspension Team, suspending from a 200 year old beam that was used to hoist ammunition to the cannons, on the island/old military fortress, Suomenlinna.  The island is a very important historical place in Finland, occupied for almost 200 years and included as a world heritage site in 1991.

We had planned this location for some time.  We waited until the very last day of the year. December 31st 2011, to see if the snow would come, but amazingly no real snow has fallen yet in southern Finland.  But don’t let the lack of snow fool you, it is minus degrees in Helsinki right now, and the wind on Suomenlinna has quite a nasty bite to it, due to its location in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea).

There is less than six hours of sunlight during the winter so we started early, piercing in the city at Paradise Tattoo & Piercing, walked to the harbor and took a 20min ferry to the island, walked to the last corner of the fortress area and got straight to it.

The shot was hard to get as there were so many tourists walking in and out of our pictures, obviously not prepared for a naked suspension in the icy wind.  We chose a suicide because we were outdoors and in Finland at this time of year it’s so cold, you don’t really have the luxury to spend time on beautiful rigging

Crew:

Jussi Paradise – piercing/rigging
Lucky Hell – suspendee
Tinttu Hentonen – photographer
Joona – assistant

www.supersankari.fi
www.luckyhell.fi
www.facebook.com/theluckyhell
www.paradise.fi

I have been amazed by this community since the first day I stepped into it. My eyes were opened to an incredible group of people who had an amount of love for both this craft and for one another that I had never seen before. There is something that is so much more than friendship between the members of our suspension community; we are without a doubt a family. As with any family, there will always be arguments, disagreements, and bumps in the road, but we have shown through the tragedies that have hit us over the last few years that when times are hard we will pull together with unmatched strength and loyalty to get one another through it. That amazing unity has inspired the creation of SynerG Metals, and their first run of suspension pendants which will raise money to benefit those who need help in the suspension community.

The creators behind SynerG Metals were so moved by the outpouring of love, support, and donations after the car accident, which eventually cost us one of the most loved individuals in this community, that they came together to find a way to help. They turned to the form of expression that they knew best, and this pendant was the outcome. A small batch was made to be sold at Jill‘s baby shower originally, and after a little downtime, production has begun again. The proceeds (after material costs) from the current design being produced will go to aid in the medical bills surrounding the many months of treatment and care that were needed for Arwen “Spliff” Rosa. They are a beautiful design, and will go towards a great cause. Not to mention that the price will include a custom inscription on the back to make each piece unique.

I hope we see one of these on every person at suscon this year. It’s such an incredible way for the creators behind this to give something to this community. And just in case you are curious, the artists involved are not only making no profit from the pendants, they are not being paid for their time either. It is strictly a labor of love. As time goes on, they hope to continue using SynerG metals to help others in the suspension and modification community as the need arises. If you would like a pendant, please visit their ‘How It Works’ section of the group page for information about payment and custom engraving. Also, for those of you attending, if you order before January 28th you can opt to have your pendant delivered to you at Superpull rather than shipped.

I realize that we have been vague about who the individuals are behind SynerG Metals. Those taking the time to create these pieces are members of the suspension community, but ask to remain anonymous. This project is being done for the love of the community, not for a pat on the back or recognition. The choice to reveal the members working on this will be up to them.