A contortionist is somebody who is extremely flexible. Contortion is the art of body bending. Everybody knows those people in circuses who bend their bodies effortless into the extreme on a small table. I am the only one in the Netherlands (Amsterdam) who teaches this almost forgotten body art.

Can everybody learn it?

Actually no. Everybody has the potential to become much more flexible (Specially when you start young) but for real contortion you need a disposition called hyper mobility. A hyper mobile person is born with a natural flexibility and therefor has an advantage.

Can I train at this Contortion school if I am not hyper mobile?

That depends on what you want. I also train people who need flexibility such as dancers but have problems with their flexibility. But also gymnasts who need some extra flexibility before the season starts. Unlike countries like Russia and China, western gymnastic and dance education pay little attention to the development of flexibility. It hurts and is boring. In the referred countries flexibility is the foundation for the education and they start young with stretching. Without a unlimited freedom of movement it is surely impossible to become a great dancer or gymnast.

Is it not unhealthy?

I hear that justified question a lot. Many people scare when they see a contortionist bending and ask themselves if this is not unhealthy for the body? Far from it. Most people would benefit if they would stretch more. You could call contortion training "Super yoga". In the training the muscles are stretched so that the joints can move more freely. But the joints and the capsules themselves are not burdened. The combination of breathing, relaxation and stretching will make you feel more fit. In addition problems with the locomotor system (like rheumatisme) will be prevented.

Can I start training just like that?

Yes, but a background in gymnastics, dance or similar activities is advised. Contortion is advanced acrobatics and if you are already able to do the splits, a decent backbend or putting a foot behind your head, you have an advantage. For people who don't have this advantage it takes 6 to 8 weeks before your muscles are accustomed to this kind of training. But many people train here to do their splits for the first time.

Why does training at Contortion Centre has so much quicker results than when I train alone?

Training for yourself takes a lot of discipline. Besides that, it's boring But an important reason is that you can't relax your muscles (while in a complicated position) and stretch at the same time. And when you are in a contorted position, you can't reach or pull other limbs to stretch them. During "passive stretching", the student is able to relax and experiences to be stretched. Other techniques for getting flexible, like PNF stretching (a fast working method) is impossible to apply on oneself. Another thing is the strong personal support by the trainer.

Tell me about the training

You do the warming up yourself. After that all your muscle groups are stretched by me; hips, legs, shoulders etc. During the stretch you stay as relaxed as possible and concentrate on your breathing. The best result is when stretched during exhaling. Before we start with back bends, I perform a pressure point massage next to the spine. This loosens up the muscles along the spine and creates some more space between the vertebras. Another method is pressing the muscles when they are in a stretched position. When all the muscles and joints are 'loose', you start to work at contortion positions. At the and of the training you will get a light and relaxing massage so that you will leave the studio feeling fit.

Who is the trainer?

The trainer has more than 10 years of experience with making people flexible, among others artists of the Cirque du Soleil. During his travels through Russia he was educated by Russian trainers, gymnasts and physicians. He learned a lot about the locomotor system by friendly physicians and physio therapists. There is no special education or schooling for contortion trainer. That is why a special training for contortion trainer is in development by him right now.