An act will showcase one or more artists performing a choreographed set of moves or poses, often to music, which require extreme flexibility.
Many factors affect the flexibility of performers including age, genetics, stature, and adherence to rigorous physical training routines.
[1] Contortion acts are highly variable; many incorporate elements of humor, drama, shock, sensuality, or a blend of styles.
The Ross Sisters were American contortionists most famous for their musical rendition of 'Solid Potato Salad' in the 1944 movie Broadway Rhythm.
Throughout daily meditation, yoga practitioners work to assume many similar poses to those in the performance-based contortion.
For those in the Chinese tradition, contortion is typically performed as a feat of acrobatics, used to dazzle the audience with the unusual shapes built before them.