As I transitioned into being a coach, I was naturally much more interested in teaching safe practices. I had some coaches push me too hard when I was training, which resulted in injuries that cut my career short, so my main goal was to figure out the most effective and safe ways to teach extreme flexibility safely.
I’m a former professional contortionist, dancer, and acrobat. I started out as a dancer, mainly classical ballet, modern, and jazz. I also did power tumbling and competed in the Junior Olympics when I was 14. When I was 15 I developed really bad shin splints and dancing didn’t seem to be a possibility anymore, so I started developing more of an interest in contortion.
At the time there was only 1 place to learn contortion in the US, and learning online wasn’t an option, so when I was 16 I moved to San Francisco to train with the coaches at the San Francisco Circus Center, 'Now Circus Center'.
2. How did you develop an interest in body flexibility?
Through dance! You need flexibility for dance in general, but one year I was attending a summer dance camp, and a friend of mine showed me something she had just learned, which was a chest stand/chin stand. I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen, and from that point on I’ve been obsessed with contortion and flexibility.
As I transitioned into being a coach, I was naturally much more interested in teaching safe practices. I had some coaches push me too hard when I was training, which resulted in injuries that cut my career short, so my main goal was to figure out the most effective and safe ways to teach extreme flexibility safely.
3. What do you do to ensure you stay strong and fit enough?
At this point, I primarily teach and don't necessarily have the time to also focus on maintaining an extremely high level of flexibility. But I do general mobility work on a daily basis and cardio-style workouts 3-4 days a week.
4. In your opinion what is the most important aspect of flexibility training?
Mindset. People often start working on their flexibility with their long-term goals in mind and then get really discouraged when they don’t reach those goals within a few months. Flexibility takes time, patience, and consistency.
And sometimes you have to go back before you can go forward. So having a realistic mindset is super important. Setting short-term goals, focusing on developing strength at the same rate as flexibility, and getting a good coach are all extremely important as well!
5. What was your biggest challenge when you started your career and how did you overcome it?
As I mentioned before, I had a coach push me too hard which actually cut my career short. But I’m almost happy it happened now because I’m a better coach because of it.
Having been through that experience, I learned how to not push people too hard, the importance of building strength, and it made me focus on breaking down movements so students don’t overuse one part of their flexibility because that causes problems in the long run.
6. What is the most common mistake people make while doing flexibility training?
Not focusing on the strength aspect, and relaxing in their stretches. A lot of people think of stretching as relaxing, but if your goal is to get more flexible and be able to use that flexibility, stretching in a relaxed state is the easiest way to end up injured or just not see improvement. So I recommend working on developing strength at the same rate as flexibility!
7. What message would you give to people wanting to start training?
Set your ego aside and focus on the basics. Building a strong foundation is the most important thing you can do when just starting out. And be consistent! Sometimes flexibility training can be discouraging, but if you make it a habit and work on it consistently, you’ll reach your goals.
A really good starting place is my Flexibility Starter Pack which is great for those who are new to flexibility training!
Catie is a world-renowned flexibility and contortion instructor originally from San Francisco and currently based in Munich, Germany. Her clients include professional circus performers, pole dancers, aerialists, yogis, handbalancers, acrobats, dancers, and weight lifters, among others.
Interviewed By - Anshika Maurya
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