Alyssum was a contortionist, specializing in frontbending.  She retired as a contortionist in 2018, hoping to spend more time educating the public about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, the genetic connective tissue disorder that allowed her to be so bendy. 

She first realized she had the ability when she was seven years old--she saw a picture of someone with their legs behind their head, went home and tried it (as 7 yr olds are wont to do), and was successful.  When she showed her mother, and told her she'd seen the picture in a calendar, her mother told her it was a yoga calendar.  "Then I want to start taking yoga!" Alyssum exclaimed.  And so she did.  She was always more flexible than the other yogis, and was amazed one day to see a short TV documentary on contortionists--she realized most of them had trainers!  She has since worked with various renowned contortionist trainers to hone and tone her abilities.  She may be hired to perform contortion as well as bellydancing.  Click on the Videos link above to see her TEDx talk incorporating contortion.

Alyssum has performed solo and with the Circus of Wonders, based out of Baltimore MD, as well as various shows hither and yon.