Rationale
Suspensions are sometimes used for meditation supposedly to gain a higher level of spiritual fulfillment or awareness. To some it is a very sacred and respected practice and is done on a regular basis[citation needed]. Suspension can also be used as a symbolic tool and represents an important event in life — such as representing one's passing from childhood to adulthood or the bond two people may share[citation needed]. Just as easily, it can be used as entertainment or as performance art. Acrobatic actions may be performed, most commonly during a 'suicide' suspension. Some body modifiers simply enjoy getting a suspension for amusement.
History
Historically, suspension rituals were performed by the Mandan tribe, located along the banks of the Missouri River[1]. The Oh-Kee-Pa type of suspension was derived from this ritual. Modern day suspensions are closely related to the artwork of performance artists that use their own bodies as canvases. Roland Loomis was an artist who specialized in suspension and piercing performance pieces, also starting the Modern Primitivism movement. He helped to bring attention to the suspension 'scene' in the United States.[citation needed] Allen Falkner helped to bring suspensions to people who weren't spiritual, as well as a plethora of different and unique suspensions types.
On the August 3, 2005 airing of the television show Mindfreak, host Criss Angel suspended himself from hooks in his back that were attached to a helicopter that flew over the desert and mountains of Nevada.[2] In February 2002, Angel set the world record for body suspension in Times Square, where he suspended himself for five hours and forty minutes.[3]
more at http://www.bmezine.com/ritual/bme-ritu.html
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