HAIR-HANGING ACT AT CIRCUS ONE OF A KIND

When most of us think about the circus, images of trained elephants, crazy clowns and acrobats who defy death on a high wire fill our minds.

But there is one unusual act in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus that many of us have never seen before. It's hair-hanging.

The act, which is performed by Marguerite Michelle Ayala and her two daughters, Andrea and Michelle, is a mixture of difficult and demanding tricks while suspended in midair from their hair.

"It was painful when I first started," said Marguerite. "I told myself that it would be hell to pay but that I would go through with it."

Marguerite said she learned her technique when growing up in her family-owned circus in Mexico at the age of 13.

"I had learned to juggle before I learned to do the hair act," said Marguerite. "I wanted to be able to do both in the air at the same time. I was the first one to juggle in this type of act."

The art of hair-hanging originated in the Orient. Barnum and Bailey Circus first brought it to the U.S. in 1916 with a troop of 50 Chinese artists that performed acrobatic feats while suspended from their hair.

Presently, Marguerite said that she and her daughters are the only ones in the U.S. that perform this act. She also said that there are only a few groups in the whole world that do the act.

Their act consists of acrobatic stunts, spinning plates and juggling hoops and fiery clubs while suspended from a metal clasp that is tied to their hair.

Danger can definitely be part of the act. In 1982 the rope that was supporting Marguerite during her performance broke. She did not return to performing for three years after the incident.

"During that time," said Marguerite, "Michelle, who was 11 at the time, came up to me and said she wanted to learn the act, so I decided to teach her. She was a very good learner and it only took her about a year to really get good at it."

Andrea, 18, learned the art from her mother two years ago.

"My head really did hurt at first when I started out," said Andrea. "It took me a while to get used to it but now I have no problems."

Juggling fiery clubs, said Andrea, can also be dangerous.

"Sometimes the heat from the clubs," said Andrea, "can singe my arms and some of the hair that hangs off the top of my head. I haven't, though, had any serious burns yet."

Andrea and Marguerite said that they always have to take care of their hair to keep it long and healthy.

"At least I don't have to worry about getting perms," Marguerite said jokingly.

Marguerite said she is willing to teach the art to anyone who is eager and dedicated enough to learn it.

"I have another daughter who is 6 years old," said Marguerite. "So, if she wants to learn, when the time comes I will gladly teach her."

The family of hair-hangers will be in performance again today at the Show Me Center for both the 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 shows.

When asked how long she would continue to perform her unique act, Marguerite said, "I'll keep doing this as long as I continue to feel good and look good."