contortionist
Flexible circus performer
A contortionist is a performer who twists their body into extreme positions—bending backward until their head touches their feet, folding into impossibly small spaces.
The word extends to anyone who achieves difficult flexibility, literal or figurative: The administration's contortionist explanations grew less convincing by the day.
Arching spine rearward
- splitsDivides into parts
- dislocateShift from proper position
- hyperextendBend beyond normal range
- limbernessBodily flexibility
suppleness · double-jointed · hypermobility · elasticity · pliability · bendable · yoga · stretching
Deed or performance
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- choreographyDesigning performance movement sequences
- costumeClothing for portrayal
- leotardTight one-piece garment
bodysuit · music · timing · audience · applause · stage · props · box
Main circus tent
- ringmasterCircus performance director
- sideshowSecondary carnival attraction
- spectacleVisually striking event
- tentPortable fabric shelter
marquee · carnival · audience · act · performance · costume · sequins · spotlight
backbend
Arching spine rearward
- splitsDivides into parts
- dislocateShift from proper position
- hyperextendBend beyond normal range
limberness · suppleness · double-jointed · hypermobility · elasticity · pliability · bendable · yoga · stretching · warm-up
act
Deed or performance
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- choreographyDesigning performance movement sequences
- costumeClothing for portrayal
leotard · bodysuit · music · timing · audience · applause · stage · props · box · tube
big top
Main circus tent
- ringmasterCircus performance director
- sideshowSecondary carnival attraction
- spectacleVisually striking event
tent · marquee · carnival · audience · act · performance · costume · sequins · spotlight · touring
spine
Column of vertebrae
tendons · pelvis · shoulders · hips · vertebrae · cartilage · anatomy · body awareness · proprioception · pain tolerance
handstand
Inverted balance on palms
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- tumblingAcrobatic rolling and flipping
- gymnasticsAthletic discipline of controlled movement
aerialist · pose · hold · inversion · headstand · bridge · straddle · pike · tuck · body control
- entertainerssingers, actor, dancers, actress, musicians
- circuscircus, big top, clown, clowns, ringmaster
- acrobaticsacrobat, tumbling, somersault, cartwheel, handstand
- carnivalparade, costume, float, ferris wheel, roller coaster
- circus termstrapeze artist, lion tamer, big top, juggler, tightrope walker
- circus workersacrobat, clown, ringmaster, trapeze artist, lion tamer
contortionistparaplegic
Lower-limb paralysis sufferer
quadriplegic · arthritic · statue · robot · tin man