Acrobats, France, 1900s

French acrobat Solea and his female assistant demonstrate their prowess at balancing for a portrait in a photographer's studio, France, 1900s — French acrobat Solea and his female assistant demonstrate their prowess at balancing for a portrait in a photographer’s studio, France, 1900s. | src Getty Images

Bending over backwards

Ron Bull :: Cindy Shatto dips her head into a downturn in the final of Olympic platform diving. Canada, July 25th, 1976. | src Getty Images — **Ron Bull ::** Cindy Shatto dips her head into a downturn in the final of Olympic platform diving. Canada, July 25th, 1976. | src Getty Images

Bending over backwards: Cindy Shatto of Toronto dips her head into a downturn last night in the final of Olympic platform diving. Miss Shatto was in second place after three dives; but fell back to fifth at the end; one rank ahead of teammate Teri York of Vancouver. Elena Vaytsekhovskaia of the Soviet Union; who said she took to diving because swimming is dull; was gold medalist. Canada. July 25th, 1976 (Ron Dull for Toronto Star)

Albertina Rasch dancing

"Rasch dancing" The Viennese ballerina and choreographer Albertina Rasch, glass negative. George Grantham Bain Collection. Shorpy date it 1915, while in the Library of Congress it's dated between 1920-1925. — “Rasch dancing” • The Viennese ballerina and choreographer Albertina Rasch, glass negative. George Grantham Bain Collection. Shorpy date it 1915, while in the Library of Congress it’s dated between 1920-1925.

The Viennese ballerina and choreographer Albertina Rasch, circa 1920. George Grantham Bain News Service | src Amazon

Photograph shows choreographer and dancer Albertina Rasch (1891-1967) dancing, between 1920-25. Glass negative. George Grantham Bain Collection. | src Library of Congress

Dancer Stella Gojo (1928)

dancer, neck bent back, portrait, 1920s, magazine

Becker & Maaß :: Dekorativ und mondän. Die Tänzerin Stella Gojo. Scherl's Magazin, Band 4, H. 11, November 1928 — **Becker & Maaß** :: Dekorativ und mondän. Die Tänzerin Stella Gojo. Scherl’s Magazin, Band 4, H. 11, November 1928

Isa Tribell by Riebicke (ca 1928)

Gerhard Riebicke :: Isa Tribell. Welche Zukunft hat der Kunsttanz? | What is the future of artistic dance? Scherl's magazine; Band 4, Heft 11, November 1928 — **Gerhard** **Riebicke** :: Isa Tribell. Welche Zukunft hat der Kunsttanz? | What is the future of artistic dance? Scherl’s magazine; Band 4, Heft 11, November 1928

Dancer bending backwards

Paul Jsenfels :: Dancer, Stuttgart Dance School, 1920s. | src liveauctioneers

Jsenfels’ Getanzte Harmonien

Gelöste Linien • Dissolved Lines „ . . . only the plants can do something similar without being able to change its point of view…” (Rudolf von Laban) „ . . . nur die Pflanze vermag Ähnliches, ohne aher ihren Standpunkt wechseln zu können… “ (Rudolf von Laban) (Aus Isenfels ,,Getanzte Harmonien“, Verlag Dieck & Co., Stuttgart) Uhu August, 1927

Paul Jsenfels :: Dancer, Stuttgart Dance School, 1927. Photoengraving. | src liveauctioneers — **Paul Jsenfels ::** Dancer (nude, bending backwards), Stuttgart Dance School, 1927. Photoengraving. | src liveauct ioneers

Psychiatrie-Patientin, 1890

Eine junge Psychiatrie-Patientin in einem ekstatischen Zustand, aufgenommen am 2. Januar 1890 in einer französischen Klinik. | Young woman in an ecstatic condition, France, ca. 1890. Image © adoc-photos Corbis via Spiegel

Young woman in an ecstatic condition (France); ca. 1890. Image © adoc-photos Corbis via Getty Images

A young psychiatric patient in an ecstatic state, photographed on January 2, 1890 in a French clinic. | Spiegel Geschichte

Hypnotized: Some psychologists diagnosed at the end of the 19th century that specially women were at particular risk of infection from the “Wagner virus” because of their weaker nerves. His music can trigger hysteria or “inappropriate sexual arousal”. Quoted from article