THE BALLOON MAN

Hair-raising! Daredevil circus performer hangs from the ceiling just with her long locks

A DAREDEVIL circus performer has insured her long locks for £1million after becoming the UK's only person to practice the ancient art of hair hanging.

from: express.co.uk

By: Dion Dassanayake

Mon, May 12, 2014

Anastasia IV has a world record for the heaviest weight lifted with just someone's hair[CATERS]

Anastasia IV makes a living from using her waist-length blonde barnet to hang from the ceiling and swing or spin so fast her face becomes a blur.

The 26-year-old, who uses two bottles of conditioner a day, also holds the Guinness World Record for lifting the heaviest weight with her hair. 

The performer, whose real name is Joanna Sawicka, discovered her unique talent after she quit studying biochemistry in London to join a circus.

She said: "The idea of running away to the circus was romantic.

"I had no idea I would end up doing something so crazy. But I've found my calling and it feels fantastic!" 

Ms Sawicka has spent four years perfecting her act and has even managed to pull a 2.5 tonne car 20 metres down Shaftesbury Avenue in the capital.

In preparation for performances with the Circus of Horrors she undergoes a lengthy hair care regime lasting an hour and a half.

Her mane needs to be brushed thoroughly as any knots or tangles could weaken the rope-like structure her hair becomes.

She originally came to the UK from Poland to study but when she met circus performer Hannibal Hellmurto in a pub she decided to join him.

Mr Hellmurto later became her husband and Ms Sawicka started her circus act by lying on beds of nails and sword swallowing.

But within two years she was practicing hair hanging, an ancient tradition that is believed to have originated in China.

read more at:

http://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/475499/Daredevil-circus-performer-hangs-from-the-ceiling-just-with-her-long-locks