Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MayaAya on July 24, 2010 at 6:25pm

Just stretching day after day after day. After a certain age we loose elasticity in our muscles so it's harder to be able to do it.

Oh and it's better to stretch after warming up your muscles with a walk or jog.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by dinahmyte on December 29, 2010 at 2:34pm

utlimately, you really should stretch before you walk or jog... but just a basic stretch.. not one to really extend any flexibility.  you might even hurt yourself walking or jogging... >.<

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richie 'Monkey Mooncalf' Isaacs on December 29, 2010 at 2:37pm

Ooh yes, good call, light warm up stretches before the warm up before the major stretches!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MayaAya on December 30, 2010 at 12:18am

Oops...I forgot to mention that :P

 

I have learned a better way to warm up for dance that I learned in some classes that I took this year. It doesn't require pre-stretching, warm up, and then more intensive stretching. It is designed for ballet, jazz, and modern dance which all require flexibility.

The easiest is to lie on your back, knees bent, feet on floor, legs hip-bone distance apart and roll up through your hips for a 6 count until your knees to chest is straight, then roll back down for a 6 count. I repeat it 10 times.

Also for stretching releves is a really good way to gain balance and strength while stretching. And plies...

Basically any ballet warmups.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gabriel-Nichole on July 25, 2010 at 8:06pm

Hey! I learned the splits as a kid in gymnastics and ballet class, over the years I've been more or less able to do them still. Along with the floor exercises you listed you could practice the ballet plie', demi plie' and grand plie' to make the inner part of your thighs more willing to flex, also getting into your splits as far as you can go -near a wall- then laying on your tummy with your legs still in your splits and pushing your legs against the wall as far as you can tolerate -make sure to keep your butt down when pushing twards the wall- oh and just going into your splits as far as you can and holding it, this will gradualy lower you further to the floor over the many times you practice it; and the last stretch you can do is placing one leg up on a wall, keeping the one your balancing on strait and unbending and pressing your body to the leg on the wall then switching legs and repeating *warning this stretch can hurt really bad if you over-do it*

That's all I've really done to maintain my ability to do the splits, you probably shouldn't push your body to hard or to fast to learn it, it will come in time, besides you might injure yourself and sore buns and hamstrings are not fun.

Hope that was helpfull and Happy Hooping :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Meg on August 5, 2010 at 11:11am

I've been wanting to learn to do the splits lately as well. Is 19 too old? :P I did gymnastics as a kid, but I never managed the splits much back then.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gabriel-Nichole on August 5, 2010 at 2:42pm

If you can stretch then you can get it :) I'm 18 and I'm still flexable

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gina on August 5, 2010 at 4:30pm

I am relearning the splits and back walkover at 31, you'll be fine. :P

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Daniela VI on August 5, 2010 at 2:57pm

I am 26, and I am still able to do the splits every time I want. Its not about age, its about working your muscles with patience. Once your muscles learned how to reach that position, it becames really easy and fun! Something that really works is elevating your leg on a banister or handrail and gently pushing your body to the front while shifting your weight to the center of your body. This way your legs will split gradually in a much gentlier way. This is how ballet teachers get students to do it... Good Luck! ;)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Miss Texas on August 6, 2010 at 10:26am

well all of this is great to hear! I've been neglecting my stretches as of late :/ but I am much more motivated now after reading these responses

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tammy Yan on August 6, 2010 at 3:12pm

I could never do the splits as a kid, but I managed to get the front splits at 22. The side splits.. another story lol. I was pretty lazy with it, but I tried to stretch 3-4 times a week for 30 minutes. I eventually got the left split after a couple months.. the right one took longer. I've also heard of dynamic stretching, I guess they use that in martial arts to train for high kicks but I am not too familiar with it. I'm still researching that to make sure it's okay to use for doing the side splits.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tammy Yan on August 6, 2010 at 3:28pm

Oh and I wanted to add that I spent most of my time working on those last couple darned inches. I was pretty excited about my progression then I hit a plateau. So don't get discouraged if you get stuck right before the end.. you'll get it! :)

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page