About Contortionists
Contortionists have the ability to bend their bodies in unusual ways. Contortionists are incredibly flexible, a quality that they work on to extremes through a variety of training and exercises. Contortionists often perform as part of a circus act or as acrobats, but occasionally become solo acts due to their capability to astound audiences with their feats of flexibility. The world's most notable contortionist has been seen by millions of people in both movies and television shows.
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Types
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There are different types of contortionists, depending on which direction their spine is most flexible. Front-benders can fold forward at their waist even with their legs straight. Some front-benders have the extreme ability to put the backs of their knees directly behind their own shoulders. Back-benders, on the other hand, can bend backward so far that they can touch their heads to their feet. The vast majority of contortionists can bend only one way or the other, but a rare few are flexible enough to do both.
Abilities
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Some contortionists can perform amazing splits that make most people cringe with pain. They can have their feet supported by something like a chair, with one in front of them and the other in back. These splits are called oversplits, when the contortionist actually splits more than 180 degrees. Other contortionists engage in an art form called enterology in which they squeeze their bodies into small containers such as boxes or through small hoops that appear impossible to fit through. Others will dislocate joints such as shoulders or hips to get themselves into unusual positions.
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Careers
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The acts of a contortionist can be quite varied. They are often choreographed with special costumes worn by the performer. Contortionists can be part of an ensemble group or work alone, and many find work in venues such as in music videos, at concerts or as part of opening acts for other performers.
Rubberboy
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Daniel Browning Smith is the most famous contortionist in the world. He goes by the nickname of Rubberboy and is one of the few contortionists who can bend both forward and backward with wonderful ease. He learned at an early age that he was very flexible and refined his abilities to the point that he is now billed as "the most flexible man alive." Browning Smith can bend so that when he goes backward, the top of his head can actually touch the seat of his own pants. He has the capability of dislocating both arms and legs painlessly and can turn his torso a total of 180 degrees.
Significance
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The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes Browning Smith as the holder of a trio of flexibility records for humans. His awesome contortionist skills enable him to stuff his body into a box that is 13.5 inches by 16 inches by 19.5 inches and close it. Browning Smith has appeared on a number of television shows such as "Monk" and "CSI: NY," and he has had roles in movies such as "Drillbit Taylor" and "Don't Mess With the Zohan." He performs at a number of sporting events and corporate gatherings each year with his contortionist talent on full display.
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Resources
- Photo Credit www.gigglesugar.com
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Comments
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ssarah
Sep 25, 2009
This is extra ordinary. I would have never thought that a human being would be capable of such a tremendous amount of flexibility. One can only hope that this is a symbol for the flexibility of the mind of human beings.
