Acro Dance, Gymnastics, and Contortion Problems

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the impact of acro dance, gymnastics, and contortion on dancers, particularly in relation to injury risks and the influence of media on these practices. Participants explore the balance between flexibility training and traditional dance techniques, as well as the potential consequences of prioritizing acrobatic skills over choreography.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern that the emphasis on flexibility in acro dance, gymnastics, and contortion is driven by competitive environments and media portrayals, leading to increased injury rates.
  • One participant notes that not all bodies can achieve the same flexibility as prominent figures like Anna McNulty, suggesting that her videos may not be suitable for everyone.
  • Another participant mentions the potential for injuries, sarcastically referencing the risks of attempting advanced moves without proper training.
  • Some participants discuss the historical context of gymnastics in schools and the perceived ease of certain moves, while also acknowledging the necessity of safety measures like spotters.
  • There is a recognition that both intrinsic abilities and learned techniques contribute to flexibility, with some participants sharing personal experiences related to gymnastics training.
  • One participant highlights the case of a gymnast who experienced back pain as a result of contortion, emphasizing the risks associated with these practices.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express concern about the risks associated with acro dance, gymnastics, and contortion, but there is no consensus on the extent of these risks or the best approaches to mitigate them. Multiple competing views remain regarding the influence of media and the balance between flexibility and dance technique.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the lack of emphasis on safety in online videos and the potential for individual differences in flexibility and injury susceptibility, which may not be fully addressed in the discussion.

bagasme
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Hello all,

AFAIK, dance world today incorporate too much flexibility showoffs (acro dance, [artistic] gymnastics, and [backbend] contortion).

Why? This problem originally come from America's huge competition circuits, in which TV shows like DanceMoms and Instagram platform amplify the problem. Many dancers believe that acro, gymnastics, and contortion are required for their success in dance career.

The problem worse when there are a lot Youtube videos which they attempted/tried contortion moves a la Anna McNulty.

The result? Physiotherapists reported alarming rise in injuries not associated with dance, such as back injuries from backbends and tumbling and dislocated hips from overstretching.

Another problem is many dancers are excellent at tumbling, but struggle at choreography, because they trade dance technique class for acro one.

So should we wait until we see a dancer forced to be in wheelchair for her rest of life because of this problem, and we learn from that?

Remember: acro, gymnastics, and contortion are high risk, high return activities, because while those are often benefical for dance progression, those often cause serious health issues (such as back pain issues).

-- Bagas

Source: The Acro Invasion
 
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Hmmmm. It hurt watching Anna McNulty. She is definitely a flexible person. Not all bodies have the ability to do what she does, and that is just the way it is. I am sure she is trying to promote herself in some manner, which is fine, but watching a few minutes of her talking and doing did give me the impression that the videos are not for the ilk of Contortionist for Dummies crowd, but for someone who apparently has similar flexibility and would like to try different moves. I think I will try some of those moves. See you in the hospital.
 
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256bits said:
Hmmmm. It hurt watching Anna McNulty. She is definitely a flexible person. Not all bodies have the ability to do what she does, and that is just the way it is. I am sure she is trying to promote herself in some manner, which is fine, but watching a few minutes of her talking and doing did give me the impression that the videos are not for the ilk of Contortionist for Dummies crowd, but for someone who apparently has similar flexibility and would like to try different moves. I think I will try some of those moves. See you in the hospital.

Such a sarcasm. Let's see PF trying to be Anna McNulty, and watch for our members in hospital as the result.
 
Maddie Ziegler from DanceMoms also have gymnastics tutorial:



What do you think about dancer-trying-gymnastics?
 
Looks easy.
I have no clue what DanceMoms is and don't really care if is just some showing off their kids.
I guess, as I said before, it gives others a chance to see what can be done.
We had gymnastics is school and the front hand spring is not that difficult.
Even spins off of a spring board, which gives a bit more boost.
I never could do the cartwheel, or the back hand spring though, backward flexibility limitation I suppose.
Hand stands and hand 'walking.'
Rings, balance beam, in the gymnasium, all that stuff for gymnastics.
Spotters were necessary, and I fear that some of these videos probably do not emphasize that well enough.
 
Like most things involving human abilities, there are components of both intrinsic capabilities and learned (or acquired through exercises) abilities.

I had a roommate who was gymnast. Gymnasts have specific ways (exercises) to increase flexibility. I have used these techniques and they work, within limits.
Any competent gymnast (like any athlete) would limit their actions to those that would not damage themselves. Its not that difficult to tell when you might be approaching your limits when it comes to streaching exercises. I would assume competent dancers have the same issues and awarenesses.

Those that ignore what their body is telling them can damage their body.
This is something they can avoid if they are mindful of what they are doing.

I have read that some Chinese gymnasts work out from an early age, which I would expect to give them significant advantages.
 
Some gymnasts, like Rachel Marie (the content creator) are also good at contortion, although she stopped it because of back pain (contortion's risk):