Flexibility + Contortion (Lvl. I-III)

The Actors Gymnasium offers two flexibility classes: Active Flexibility and Contortion. But what’s the difference?

Flexibility refers to a body’s range of motion. Flexibility classes focus on stretching targeted muscle groups to increase joint and muscle mobility. Examples of flexibility skills are splits, cobra, and forward fold.

Active flexibility is a form of flexibility training that incorporates stretching with strength training and movement drills to increase stability and endurance at the end-range of a body’s mobility. Examples of active flexibility skills are y-scale, penché, and backbend.

Contortion is a performance art form that showcases an extreme range of active flexibility and end-range endurance. In some countries, like Mongolia, contortion is also a form of cultural heritage, and requires a highly structured approach to training, with many students starting their training as young as five years old. Examples of contortion skills are chest stand, needle, and cobra handstand.

So, which class should I take?

Active Flexibility (Sundays) focuses on stabilizing, strengthening, and increasing end range mobility. Flexibility + Contortion (this class!) focuses on endurance and contortion tricks and skills. Both classes are all levels, so it really depends on what your goals are!

This class is available to both adult and youth students.