How does practicing contortion influence mental calmness and overall life perspective?
Contortion is not just about physical flexibility but a mental practice of finding calmness.
The only way to do it, was to be calm. You can’t— It’s physically impossible to do it anxious. There’s just no way. So you have to [find] calmness or… or nothing.
~ Tori Kubick (11:33)
The conversation explores the transformative aspects of contortion, emphasizing how the practice fosters mental calmness alongside physical flexibility. Tori shares how she transitioned into contortion as an adult and describes it as a discipline that connects mind and body. She highlights the need for internal calmness, which allows practitioners to push beyond perceived physical and mental limits.
Other topics include the parallels between contortion and problem-solving in other movement practices, such as parkour and aerial arts. Tori discusses the importance of strength complementing flexibility and explains how contortion helps practitioners discover new ways to navigate challenges, both physically and mentally. The conversation also touches on the introverted nature of many contortionists and the rare sense of community they share.
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