Calisthenics is one of the fastest growing artistic sports - unique to Australia. Children of all ages thrive on the variety and challenges offered in the many facets of Calisthenics - a combination of controlled exercises and gymnastics, marching, singing, simplified ballet, folk and modern dance. All items are costumed, choreographed, set to music and presented by our teams on stage at competitions in the ACT (and interstate) and at our club concert. All participants, regardless of their experience or ability, compete in the majority of items.

Calisthenics is a year round sport and classes are held weekly within school terms, and practice choreographed routines in preparation for competitions, which are held by local and national organisations and give participants a chance to present their routines to an audience and an adjudicator.

For competition presentation, teams perform in decorated leotards, have their hair and make-up done and use tan on the legs (depending on age group). These aspects ensure that teams are presented professionally and look similar for uniformity. Performances involve stage dressing, lighting, an audience and an adjudicator. Points and places are awarded and critique sheets are supplied to coaches to improve teams.

The Benefits of Calisthenics

Calisthenics encourages its participants to be fit, happy and active at a level appropriate to their needs and capabilities. At Action, we encourage all participants to strive for their personal best and aim to ensure that all classes are an enjoyable learning experience. Calisthenics helps participants with self-esteem and confidence in a friendly and caring environment. Due to the nature of calisthenics, participants learn how to be a member of a team, to savour the pride of winning and to show dignity in defeat. Most importantly we hope that all participants meet new friends and enjoy themselves throughout the year.

Core items

March

This routine opens all competitions. The whole team marches together creating intricate patterns. The aim of this routine is to perform with excellent uniformity and deportment. March showcases discipline and confidence.

Free exercises

As the name suggests this discipline is performed without apparatus. A team will perform a routine based around strength and flexibility. Stamina, timing and fitness are tested in this routine and the complexity of movements increases over time.

Rods

Rods is one of two apparatus routines in Cali-dance. An aluminium rod is used throughout the routine and constantly manipulated. This routine has proven to be spectacularly entertaining and fast paced. The difficulty of this routine is increased with each age group.

Clubs

This routine is the most unique cali-dance routine probably the hardest to perform correctly. Clubs are used to swing in a variety of different directions maintaining planing. The complexity of swings increases as girls move through the age groups. Often times more movement around the stage is incorporated in the older age groups and proves to be a stunning performance.

Aesthetic

Aesthetic has relevance to ballet. Girls interpret the music with expression and body movement. An ankle length skirt is used and incorporated through the routine to emphasise grace and poise. The aim of this routine is to draw the audience into the performance and evidently create emotions.

Rhythmical Aesthetic

This routine is an adaptation from aesthetic. Intermediates and seniors perform this routine which has the addition of jumps in the criteria. This routine exemplifies technique and emotion and reflects a graceful solo routine.

Fancy items

Rhythmical interpretation

This routine is in some ways similar to Aesthetics. A team performs elevated and dance steps whilst telling a story. Rhythmic is only performed by older age groups due to the difficult nature of the steps that can be included. Like Aesthetics, a successful Rhythmic routine will create emotion in the audience and showcase the grace and poise of the girls.

Song and dance

The whole team performs a routine that incorporates singing and various styles of dances. Coaches can be creative and choose themes for their team to portray. Adjudicators look for expression and the clarity and skill of the singing. Dance steps are also critiqued.

Folk and character dance

This dance is about learning the traditional steps of another culture. Girls dance the steps of the chosen country and perform a routine that is entertaining and accurate to that country. Character Dance is a slightly different version that is more aimed at presenting the story of a character. Young girls especially enjoy performing this routine.

Calisthenic revue & stage presentation

Coaches can be extremely creative when choreographing these routines. They can choose a theme or story and include almost anything in the dance. Props and stage dressing are common in these routines. Cal Revue and Stage Presentation can also include singing. Lighting and curtains can be used to enhance the performance.

Song with action/movement

Like Song and Dance this routine incorporates singing. This routine is for the younger age groups as the movements are sung with the movements. Girls sing and perform actions to the words and tell a story with their expression.

Other items

Graceful Solo

Graceful solo is the closest routine to ballet in Cali-dance. The routine is performed as an individual and includes movements similar to Aesthetics and Rhythmic. A graceful solo should draw the audience into the performance and show excellent technique and emotion in their routine. Graceful girls have the opportunity to compete at Nationals if selected.

Calisthenic Solo

The Calisthenic solo is and individual routine which is strength and flexibility based. Performance and execution is key to this routine. Complexity of movements and dance increase with the age groups. Girls who are selected have the opportunity to compete in this section every second year at Nationals.

Calisthenic Duo

The Calisthenic duo is a routine performed with pairs and is similar to the calisthenic solo. Performance and execution is key to this routine and partner moves and interactions are essential. Complexity of movements and dance increase with the age groups. Girls who are selected have the opportunity to compete in this section every second year at Nationals.