In early December 2024, an X-ray allegedly showing a gymnast performing an extreme backbending maneuver resurfaced on social media (archived). "I know it's silly, but I see a snake with a human skull, ...

Backbends are a wonderful way to build strength, flexibility, and mobility. You can start at a beginner stage and transition into intermediate or advanced backbends over time. Backbends are an ...

I made a vow to be more adventurous this year, so I’m signing up for all the weird and wonderful workouts I can find in my hometown of London, then reporting back on what I’ve learned about fitness, ...

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 ...

A teenage contortionist has set a Guinness World Record for walking 20-metres in 22 seconds - with her head behind her body. Liberty Barros, who calls herself a 'flexi dancer', completed the fastest ...

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 ...

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 ...