# I can't decide if this is fascinating...or frightening. (workplace safe link) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 21, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252 "2008-03-21T19:31:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/1 "2008-03-21T19:31:15Z")
Now [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZNWEXEka60&eurl=http://community.slide.com/fb_funpix/?pxciid=KFypLCuX7_gwa5SZcGtAZXqdT4DbZQ-eF3bdnZTEqMUA__jWKP6TEKJnnhD6TW1zapmW_y18klkiurl=http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5ZNWEXEka60/default.jpg) just blew me away. Funny enough, but I happened to get forwarded this clip just after I got back from my weekly pilades class. With the agony of trying to ‘BREATHING into the stretch, and finding my core’ fresh in my brain, watching this just damn near killed me. Good God I wish I had even a fraction of the flexibility this woman has! ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/2 "2008-03-21T19:37:09Z")
For the workplace-cautious, it’s a girl contortionist in a flesh-colored patterned bodystocking. The long shots makes her look nekkid, but she’s not; in the closeups, you can see the pattern. But a boss looking over your shoulder from across the room is gonna think you’re looking at a nekkid woman. And there’s loud music, applause, and shouts of approval, so he’s bound to come over to see whatcher lookin’ at. ---
**Author:** ![Aithele](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Aithele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aithele)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/3 "2008-03-21T22:48:53Z")
Wow. Some of those moves look like they would be hard on the joints. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/4 "2008-03-21T22:59:03Z")
So what lets her do that? Would she have extra-long tendons or unusually-shaped joints or something? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/5 "2008-03-21T23:32:19Z")
Gah, can we say long hot back and Ben-Gay? ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/6 "2008-03-22T02:39:21Z")
Contortionists skeeve me out. Big time. I get pretty nauseous watching them. Ironically, it makes me squirm a fair amount, too. I only made it about halfway through that video before I was too uncomfortable to continue. I don’t care how flexible you are, I don’t think your body is supposed to repeatedly do those extreme positions, design-wise. I can’t believe that doesn’t cause some damage over the long term. I threw my back out once and watching a contortionist is like reliving that pain. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/7 "2008-03-22T02:52:25Z")
If you need me I’ll be in my bunk. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/8 "2008-03-22T14:38:54Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] So what lets her do that? Would she have extra-long tendons or unusually-shaped joints or something? [/QUOTE] I haven’t watched it, because contortionists squick me out, but many contortionists have [Ehlers-Danlos](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ehlersdanlossyndrome.html) syndrome, one form of which makes their ligaments and tendons extra elastic. Good for contortions, but also good for dislocations. And it tends to be inherited, which is good news for circus families. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/9 "2008-03-22T18:03:22Z")
I think any red blooded male would take a night in bed with a contortionist. I’d just fear in the morning I’d be like “My keys! I can’t find my keys! They could be anywhere!” ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/10 "2008-03-22T18:58:50Z")
“Have you seen my watch, sugar” ---
**Author:** ![Surok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Surok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surok)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/11 "2008-03-22T20:41:55Z")
On a related note: Does anyone happen to know any details of the three girls (triplets?) in [this](http://youtube.com/watch?v=5DJVSP3N5a4) youtube clip? Also contortionists, but wearing a lot more clothing than in girl in the OPs post, and introducing their routine with a song about potato salad. The whole thing is just so bizarre I am desperate to know who they are, and my google-fu is failing me… ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/12 "2008-03-22T21:23:34Z")
[The Ross Sisters](http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/10/potato_salad_co.html) - Aggie, Maggie and Elmira, from the movie _Broadway Rhythm._ ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/13 "2008-03-22T21:32:45Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] If you need me I’ll be in my bunk. [/QUOTE] And [this](http://youtube.com/watch?v=LTIFmD3eNR8) will send you back to it. 😉 (Work safe but has music) ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/14 "2008-03-22T23:23:45Z")
[QUOTE=Surok] \ but wearing a lot more clothing than in girl in the OPs post, and introducing their routine with a song about potato salad. [/QUOTE] The one linked in the OP was wearing a snakeskin catsuit. (To wrist and ankles no less.) She was baring less skin than they were. Really, look again. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/15 "2008-03-22T23:48:01Z")
[Heard](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srqfc5g8KEQ) [of](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1u2Xji959w&feature=related) [rhythmic](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfcsehcVJwk&feature=related) [gymnastics](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cZlyKSId50&feature=related) [?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M10hTweDvKI&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2008, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/16 "2008-03-23T03:18:33Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] I haven’t watched it, because contortionists squick me out, but many contortionists have [Ehlers-Danlos](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ehlersdanlossyndrome.html) syndrome, one form of which makes their ligaments and tendons extra elastic. Good for contortions, but also good for dislocations. And it tends to be inherited, which is good news for circus families. [/QUOTE] I thought the same thing (about many contortionists having EDS) but Wikipedia [disagrees.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contortion). I watched the video and winced through most of it. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2008, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/17 "2008-03-23T12:21:22Z")
Ok, this is the creepiest thread EVER!. We need a new rule: no contortionist videos. Yes, it’s all about me and my comfort zone. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2008, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/18 "2008-03-23T14:02:00Z")
[QUOTE=Mama Zappa] I thought the same thing (about many contortionists having EDS) but Wikipedia [disagrees.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contortion). [/QUOTE] It sure does, but without any attempt at a cite at all. Since I don’t have a cite either, I guess we’ll just leave it at that. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/19 "2008-03-24T00:27:24Z")
[QUOTE=Ice Wolf] [The Ross Sisters](http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/10/potato_salad_co.html) - Aggie, Maggie and Elmira, from the movie _Broadway Rhythm._ [/QUOTE] I think someone posted that before, and another poster referred to as a “lesbian mobias strip”. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252/20 "2008-03-24T00:36:40Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] I think someone posted that before, and another poster referred to as a “lesbian mobias strip”. [/QUOTE] The one who posted it was **Surok** in this thread, who wanted to know who they were. I was just providing the answer link. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-decide-if-this-is-fascinating-or-frightening-workplace-safe-link/442252.md?page=2)