Contortion

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.

Contortionist performing
Purple contortionist
Contortionist Maria Efremkina performing in 2010.
Hussein Yoga performing a combination of a cheststand and dislocation
This man in a trunk is an example of enterology.
Female contortionist shooting a bow and arrow with her feet, 4th century BC, Ancient Greece Ceramic
Line engraving of Joseph Clark of Pall Mall, London , "the most extraordinary Posture Master"
Example of a chest stand
An elbow stand performed by an acro dancer