The stick that supports a flag is called the mast.
A mast is a stick that is used to support something . It can be, in this sense, the stick with which a flag is waved .
For example: "There are ten flagpoles in the square but only three have flags " , "The teacher told me to hold the flagpole very tightly so that the flag would not fall" , "The revolutionaries climbed the flagpole and replaced the flag" .
Mast on boats
Mast is also the stick that holds the sails of a boat . In the case of larger ships, they may have several masts (and therefore several sails).
The characteristics of the mast, such as its size or location, depend on the type of boat: "The crew's goal is to cross the ocean with a single-masted ship," "When the main mast broke, the boat was left adrift." » , «Sailors have been working for hours on repairing the masts that were damaged by the storm.»
The element that allows the sails of a boat to be attached is called the mast.
The term in music
On a string instrument , the neck is the stick on which the strings are pressed to change pitches . Generally, the neck has frets (separations that allow us to distinguish between semitones): "The musician threw the guitar on the ground, breaking the neck" , "The neck of the bass is bigger than the child" , "You must press the ropes against the mast more firmly .
The tall vertical structure that is part of certain machines and the foot of a plant when it becomes thick are other meanings linked to the concept of mast.
The Chinese mast
A rigid vertical bar used in the circus field for the development of various artistic creation activities is known as the Chinese mast . Its height is usually greater than 3 meters and its average diameter is 55 millimeters. To facilitate the practice of balance and strength exercises, the mast is covered or impregnated with an adherent material.
Although the Chinese mast is not used hanging but supported, the exercises performed on it belong to the "aerial" category, since they include throwing and height. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, one of the main components when practicing with the neck is strength .
At a muscular level, in the Chinese mast the upper body, the lumbar region and the abdominal region are worked. On the other hand, control, blocking and resistance are also exercised in static (slow) movements , and explosiveness and precision in dynamic (fast) movements . To cope with the large number of twists, you must have great flexibility in the spine, shoulders and wrist.
The other main component of this discipline is balance , which is part of the technical aspect. As a starting point to perform many of the exercises, it is necessary to learn to correctly position the center of gravity of the body in relation to the mast. On the other hand, the importance of the mental state before each practice should not be underestimated, since one works at high altitude and speed and spatial changes are constantly made.
Who is suitable to practice Chinese mast? First of all, anyone who is used to climbing trees or who enjoys hanging from any structure that is a certain distance from the ground for the mere pleasure of playing with strength and balance. For this discipline it is necessary to have traction strength in the arms capable of lifting the body easily.
In addition to natural qualities, such as the absence of fear of heights and the need to climb, concentration is very important, especially when the practice focuses on improving technique and preparing performances that must be meticulously reproduced. in front of an audience and with some frequency.