Alyssum is a contortionist, specializing in frontbending.  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 can be hired to perform contortion as well as bellydancing.