Google the meaning of ‘Levitate’ and the answer will read “to rise or cause to rise and hover in the air, typically by means of supposed magical powers”. Have you ever seen a man floating in air? If yes, you definitely wondered how he was doing it. Is it an illusion or magic? Or is there any science behind it?
Onlookers’ Reaction
Performers doing levitation are not rare sights on the streets of many bustling cities across the globe. The performance looks stunning and leaves audiences speechless.
‘Unbelievable’, some whisper among them. Some start looking for props that these performers might be using for their act. After nothing is found, they look at performers in complete awe.
Meanwhile, cameras go on clicking as everyone wants to make reels or capture a photo of the man.
What They Do
It is pure science behind this seemingly unnatural act. The floating man creates an illusion with one or a couple of people. The performer looks like hovering in mid-air while another person seated or standing on the ground carries his weight on one hand.
If it is a one-man act, the performer will look like floating in mid-air above a carpet or garden lawn, holding the top of a rod in one hand. A sitting posture is more common in such cases. The man continues sitting in the same position for hours on end.
An Ancient Indian Yoga Practice
Ancient Indian texts on yoga and meditation claim that yogis excelled at levitation. It is said they used to sit or sleep in the same ‘suspended’ position for days or even months. They were powerful men and mastered the art of levitation.
Science Behind Art
In reality, though it looks like jaw-dropping magic, these performers do some tricks with the help of physics and by applying basic design principles. It is easy to trick unsuspecting watchers, especially for someone with expertise and experience in this art.
The illusion of a street performer floating is done through strategic placement of plates and steel rods. The prop always remains incredibly stable though the act looks like defying the fundamental laws of physics.
The supporting structure has three parts – the plate, the shaft and the seat. However, the plate always remains invisible due to the cover of garden grass or plain rug carefully placed over it.
You may recall that the performers always wear baggy clothing and long sleeves to hide the shaft. Hence, it looks like the performer is sitting on a plate in mid-air.
Team Work
The act is presented or in other words, the illusion is created with at least two people. One person at the bottom holds a rod up in the air and another person holds the top of the same rod while floating in the air.
The visual is pretty mind-blowing for the bystanders who, being unaware of the behind-the-scenes drama, start scratching their head.
There is no magic or power of occult working here. Science makes it possible to throw dust on people’s eyes. However, a little bit of practice is needed to deliver flawless performance.
Trick to Make Your Friends Believe
Want to levitate without practice and anyone’s help? Show your friends a photo of you floating in the air as evidence of your calibre.
We will tell you the easiest way to do it. Arrange some water (existing oil stain will also do) and do the act on dry pavement.
Place the water pot on the ground. You can see your reflection in the water. Stand or lie down a few inches behind it. Of course, you need someone to take your photo.
The effect is amazing and will make your friends believe that you are truly a magician.
Summary: A man floating in air! It is an amazing visual delight. You may want to nip with fingers to see if it is really happening in front of your eyes. The performer must be a magician, you will tend to believe.
The act is based on science and involves a little bit of tricks. Unsuspecting bystanders can easily be tricked into believing that these performers are from another planet of the universe.
