Sun Lili, vice-director of China Nation Acrobatic Troupe

In the realm of Chinese acrobatics, one woman stands apart for her ingenuity and innovation. Sun Lili, an award-winning acrobat, is an advocate for aesthetic beauty in the performance of breathtaking stunts. After a late retirement from the stage, Sun is redefining acrobatics and elevating it to a new level. It is a performing art without boundaries ballet without gravity. On today's the List, We meet Sun Lili and her ambitious ideals.

Sun Lili, Vice-director of China Nation Acrobatic Troupe

A typical morning for the China Acrobatics Troupe often begins with the low incessant drone of the diabolos. The sound is interrupted only by the rhythmic timing from the instructor Sun Lili. The squad of apprentices is assembled at the rehearsal, receiving instruction, practicing, demonstrating, perfecting.

The effect is this intoxicating melange of costumes, music, stage design and showmanship at the Spring Festival Gala.

Sun Lili, said, "Diabolos" comes from the traditional Chinese entertainment of diabolo-juggling. The inspiration for this program is to knead elements of Peking Opera-- something traditional and quintessentially Chinese -- into acrobatics. But it can be a down-to-earth Peking Opera show. It's balanced with acrobatic elements and also a touch of choreography, the result of this combination: it became the audience favorite "Diabolos" in this year's Spring Festival Gala.

Sun Lili said, "People often thought traditional acrobatics training to be very painful and ruthless. I want to reverse this opinion. Acrobatics should be an elegant art, something people will get to know for its beauty when they look deeper."

Born into an acrobatics family, Sun Lili became fascinated by the art in her girlhood. Sun spent days and nights, practicing one single move to perfection. This repetition and seeming monotony gave Sun a solid start in her later acrobatic achievements.

At 41, Sun still can perform a headstand on a tower of rickety chairs. During her career, her progress moved from endeavor to endeavor, achievement to achievement, finally to reach an artistic pinnacle.