How to Be a Contortionist

Contortionism looks painful to the audience, but for someone who has a high degree of flexibility it can be a fun way to relieve stress and keep in shape. A contortionist bends and flexes her limbs in dramatic ways. You can watch them at circuses and in acrobatic acts. Try some routines yourself by following these steps.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Do gentle stretching exercises daily before starting any contortion routines to increase your body's flexibility. A love of movement is essential because you'll put in hours of training once you become a contortionist.

2. Find out if you're a front bender or a back bender. This depends on what direction it's easiest for you to bend your back. The routines you develop hinge on the type of bender you are.

3. Begin with warm-up exercises. For example, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and gradually bend forward. Grab your legs near the ankles and pull yourself forward so that your head gets as near your legs as possible. Repeat this exercise at least 10 times.

4. Arch your back and round out your stomach as much as you can. Initially use a piece of furniture or a door for balance. Once you gain more flexibility, place your hands on your buttocks as you lean further back. Travel with your hands down your legs so your head is at your buttocks.

5. Move on to stretches only after you've done 15 minutes of warm-ups per session. These include backward and forward bends, doing the splits and manipulating your limbs. The Contortionist's Handbook (see link in Resources) is an excellent training guide.

6. Start training for an hour a day, then build up to three hours. Set aside an hour in the morning, afternoon and evening. Dividing your training throughout the day maximizes your flexibility.

7. Practice your contortionist exercises daily. It can take you a week to get back to your level of flexibility if you take even one day off. Miss a week and you could be dealing with a setback that will take a month to make up.

Tips & Warnings

• Medical studies show that contortionists enjoy better health than the general population because they constantly move their bodies.
• You'll notice your joints feel stiff if you skip a day or two of practice.
• Avoid eating 1 to 2 hours before training.

Who Can Help:

• eFax is the world’s #1 Internet fax service.  Send and receive faxes by email and kiss your fax machine goodbye. 30-Day Free Trial

Resources

• Here are links of interest to a contortionist.
• Find pictures, a glossary and discussion boards here.