Ever heard of Mallakhamb Yoga? It is quite akin to some of the Western style circus specialties. But with the added value of a yogic routine. Its origins go back to Kushti, Indian wrestling. The pole was used as a training ‘partner’ to develop jumping leg locks and other skills. From there imagination and art took over.
Not only balance is enhanced, if you want to spend a few minutes standing on one foot, atop of your pole. Grace, dexterity and speed are needed, and thus cultivated, to reach the capacity of jumping on and from the pole, for performing all sort of evolutions relying only on the strength of your grip and the ability of making the most of your body weight and momentum.
A Mallakhamb pole is 2.50m in height and not too thin, with a sort of small ball on top to allow standing on it. Generally teak wood or rose wood is used because of their physical properties such as toughness and soft surface. Castor oil is applied to its surface in order to reduce the friction and minimize the injuries.