Acro Dance, Gymnastics, and Contortion Problems

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The discussion highlights concerns about the increasing emphasis on flexibility in dance, particularly influenced by competitive circuits and social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Participants note that many dancers feel pressured to incorporate acro, gymnastics, and contortion into their routines to succeed, often at the expense of traditional dance techniques. This trend has led to a rise in injuries, including back pain and dislocated hips, as dancers push their bodies beyond safe limits. The conversation also touches on the influence of popular figures like Anna McNulty and Maddie Ziegler, whose tutorials may not adequately address the risks involved. While some acknowledge the benefits of flexibility training, there is a strong warning about the potential long-term health consequences, urging dancers to be mindful of their bodies and the risks associated with high-intensity flexibility practices.
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):



 

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