Written by Robin Ervolina
WJRR's Earthday Birthday has always brought the best music to Central Florida, but this year they are upping the ante with some pretty unique stuff. The expression "seeing is believing" comes to mind, for the very special exhibition brought by The Captains Side Show and Sick Boyz Body Suspension. I got the chance to speak with The Captain himself, master piercer Dustin Mathis, as he was loading up his gear and heading to the Central Florida Fairgrounds from his home base of Oklahoma City. He was first introduced to body suspension years ago, and after being a participant, he began the intensive study necessary to safely suspend others. Says Mathis, "I found it extremely therapeutic. It helped me get over a lot of things in my life."
For those new to suspension, the anatomy and physiology is mind boggling, but it comes down to this: six-gauge hooks, designed for this purpose, are inserted into the skin, taking great care to avoid muscles. The type and placement and number of hooks depends on the type of suspension and the weight of the suspendee. Hooks are clipped into more specialized suspension devices, and the person is hoisted into the air. At this point they can hang, free fly, or tug with another person in a combat manner. I asked Mathis how a person supports his/her weight with just skin and hooks. "It's amazing what the body can do, what the skin can endure," is his quiet and humble reply.
Prior to the conversation, Mathis encouraged me to check out his YouTube videos. I told him they were fascinating yet at times kind of hard to watch, but I noted that the common denominator was the glow and grin on participants' faces. Said Mathis, "That's actually my favorite part of suspending someone. The euphoria after ... helping them have that experience."
WJRR's Earthday Birthday has always brought the best music to Central Florida, but this year they are upping the ante with some pretty unique stuff. The expression "seeing is believing" comes to mind, for the very special exhibition brought by The Captains Side Show and Sick Boyz Body Suspension. I got the chance to speak with The Captain himself, master piercer Dustin Mathis, as he was loading up his gear and heading to the Central Florida Fairgrounds from his home base of Oklahoma City. He was first introduced to body suspension years ago, and after being a participant, he began the intensive study necessary to safely suspend others. Says Mathis, "I found it extremely therapeutic. It helped me get over a lot of things in my life."
For those new to suspension, the anatomy and physiology is mind boggling, but it comes down to this: six-gauge hooks, designed for this purpose, are inserted into the skin, taking great care to avoid muscles. The type, placement, and number of hooks depends on the type of suspension and the weight of the suspendee. Hooks are clipped into more specialized suspension devices and the person is hoisted into the air. At this point, they can hang, free fly, or tug with another person in a combat manner. I asked Mathis how a person supports his/her weight with just skin and hooks. "It's amazing what the body can do, what the skin can endure," is his quiet and humble reply.
Prior to the conversation, Mathis encouraged me to check out his YouTube videos. I told him they were fascinating, yet at times hard to watch, but I noted the common denominator was the glow and grin on participants' faces. Said Mathis, "That's actually my favorite part of suspending someone. The euphoria after... helping them have that experience."
We delve into a discussion of pain and reward. I admit I have one piercing, a small nose ring done a decade ago, my first and last. I have dozens of tattoos, but I will never get pierced again, because of the pain. Tattoos are often therapy, but there's always the reward of a decorated canvas. What reward does Joey get from suspension?
"I used to teach yoga and it was rewarding to reach that peaceful calm, but for me -- I needed something more. There is this moment when you are lifted and suspended; your skin stretches and it's painful, it's really, really, painful. You focus on that pain, and you're not worrying about yesterday, or tomorrow. You're totally present in the now. Suspending gets you to the now."
I hope with all the many incredible thing to do at Earthday Birthday, you'll take some time to go meet Dustin and Joey. A suspension is not just a visual experience, but an educational one. "Not for everyone," states Mathis, and Joey concurs. "It's pretty bloody when they take out the hooks. It's not for the faint of heart."
After speaking with Mathis and Joey I reflect on the beauty of their passion for this activity. I watch the videos again. They're not hard to watch anymore. In fact, I find myself smiling and tears pool in my eyes. Healing is a powerful emotion.
There may be an opportunity for you to participate, states Mathis. You must be sober and hydrated, and go into the experience with an open mind. Come check out the exhibit, and if you have questions or inquiries, please hit Dustin up at the festival.
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