Contorsion

Contortion (also spelled contorsion) is a physical discipline in which a person bends and twists the body into shapes that appear to be unusual or extreme. Practitioners use extreme flexibility of the spine, hips, shoulders, and wrists, often incorporating backbends, arm balances, and compression of joints. It is performed as a standalone act or as part of circuses, theatre, and contemporary dance.

The term derives from contortus, Latin for twisted; contortionism is a traditional label for the practice.

Historically, contortion emerged in 19th-century circuses and sideshows and evolved into a formal discipline through specialized schools and circus troupes. In modern performance, contortionists may combine bending with strength poses, choreography, and storytelling.

Training emphasizes gradual, supervised progression of flexibility, strength, balance, and body awareness. Warm-ups, progressive range-of-motion work, and joint stabilization reduce injury risk. The activity is physically demanding and can place stress on nerves, tendons, and joints if mismanaged.

Contortion is not a disease. Many practitioners have naturally high joint mobility, but some also have generalized joint hypermobility or connective tissue disorders that increase injury risk. Individuals with instability, pain, or numbness should seek medical assessment before training.

Contortion remains a feature of stage performance and is also found in contemporary dance and art installations. It draws on sports science and biomechanics and continues to evolve with training methods and safety standards.