Thread: Flexibility

A question most likely for the dancers, but others too...

I used to be heavily involved in kickboxing, both teaching and competing so had a pretty good level of fitness and flexibility. The splits, etc were never my goal, it was more a matter of maintenance of stretch/strength ratio. After an eventful two pregnancies I have found it just too frustrating to get any decent level of fitness back up. I'm not off on some New Year whim, I've been very gradually trying to get myself much more active with pathetic results. One of my problems was that I spent 3-4 months of my second pregnancy on crutches as I had spd, meaning the ligaments in my pelvis went a little too soft and caused great pain! Because of this, the flexibility side of things is something I've not pushed. Two years later though I see no reason why I can't start to get things moving again

I waffle, I'm sorry :-). My actually question is... As an adult who has never been able to fully do the splits, but could for example bend over straight legged with my hands flat on the floor, how far am I going to be able to go. Is there a limit because my body never developed the flexibility as a kid?

This may seem a bit random for the burly boards but there's a few of us here trying to develop the performance and dance side of things who may not have been that into it when younger

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Hi honey
I think if you stated to do yoga you could probably do it I think. I no I went from never being able to even touch my toes to being able to put my hands flat on the floor. I love yoga its the best exercise in the world.
Diva x

my speciality! flexibility in adults is something i taught at circus school.

without sounding like paul mckenna, i promise you are

1. not alone and
2. certainly able to gain some if not a lot of flexibility...

the only thing different for teaching adults is that it will take longer than for kids who are more supple and less inclined to worry about snapping something!

for myself, I danced all throughout my teens but couldn't do the splits until i retrained when I was 21. I worked on a lot of Alexander Technique and with chinese contortion tutors to increase my spinal flex but my legs were just me, sitting on the floor reading while stretching.

there is a great online handbook for further stretching, Contortionists Handbook

I would concentrate on enhancing your front bend skills, like touching your toes. It's very hard to explain online but try that an use hot baths to relax muscles etc.

It's a very opiniated subject, medical experts normally freak out when I tell them the techniques we used at school but then my bristol physio did a few reports on my students and took them an international conference and apparently it's challenged medical opinion on contortion..

anyway blether over... if you have any questions pm me, or i can have a look and see if there are any tutors i know around you??

xx

Being a mother of two limits your time to whatever fitness program you take on. Just remember that you really do have all the time you want, so don't miss out on the joy of seeing your kids grow up for the sake of achieving some fitness goal.
I am back on the dance circuit, years after I thought I had put it all behind me. Four to six hours a day. Every day, without fail. And the reason is because I have been chosen to dance on a couple of cruises in May, sailing out of Florida.
I almost turned it down, but I have the most inspirational motivation, her name is Barbara, and I have posted this before, apologies if you have seen it already.

YouTube - Amazing 84 Year Old Dancer

i'm rubbing my eyes in astonishment a broomy!!! yaya!!

oh i wanna see you dance...

xx

p.s. jonathon nosen only started contortion when he was 31 and he's awesome

Originally Posted by frayedknot

my speciality! flexibility in adults is something i taught at circus school.

xx

How fantastic!

At this stage I'm skinter than a very skint thing so no point looking for tutors. But, I know I can get myself to a certain level on my own (now I know its not gone forever) so can and will make a good start. If I get stuck or need some inspiration I'll absolutely be hitting that pm button! I do like that you're not scared of pushing further than super safe techniques so I'd love to pick your brains. What's your view on the old style martial arts leg stretchers for a start?

As for a fitness regime around the kids, they have nothing to worry about. My eldest started school this year and the youngest will have a couple of days at nursery from September so I can up my study hours (part-time OU student too). I intend as far as possible to train at home. In fact stretching whilst studying sounds a bloody good idea! The fitness side of things at this point wouldn't get much further than a few more brisk walks round the park which are easy enough with a pushchair and some bread for the ducks at the other end!

I have no dreams of returning to kickboxing. I've had my moment but now have neither the time nor the inclination. Performing has already taken a back seat on many occasions for the kids, which I don't begrudge at all, they always come first. This is more something else I can do for me whilst being there for them.


OK, off to work my way through that handbook. Who needs to write essays? ;-)

tee hee in regards to pushing past safety levels, my last coach was chinese and he used to pick me up by the arms while in the splits and bounce me up and down...

then he'd sit on me while in a crab for at least ten mins, generally reading... he'd play his ipod so he couldn't hear you whinge!

i know tao didn't treat us half as badly as he was taught, at his school in beijing, they used to tie the kids feet to the ceiling and leave them in handstands for forty mins!

but in taos words, since i left circus school 'veeekeee you got fat...' so i'm not as flexy as i once was haha! but i'm working on it

xx