When most people see contortionism for the first time, their reaction is often one of shock or disbelief: how is that even possible? The performance art, which involves twisting the body into poses ...

Iona, who is 28 and lives in West Hampstead, London, held a pose called the "Marinelli bend" for 33 seconds, beating the existing world record by 11 seconds. The Marinelli is an inverted backbend ...

Highly flexible males who are able to do the backbend. Its a single shot only. So must be able to do this pose with comfort as they will be repeating it.

In a semi-private fitness class at Manhattan’s Mercedes Club, a classmate and I eyed each other with apprehension. We were deciding which of us would attempt the backbend first. This was no relaxing ...

Professional contortionists Leilani Franco and Sosina Wogayehu talk about what drew them to this ancient art form and why it’s about much more than being flexible. Show more Kim Chakanetsa explores ...