I want to be able to do the splits

[hollie0551]

Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction on what stretchs or excercises to do to help me to be able to do the splits again?

[schmoggie]

there is a good selection of splits stretch exercises on YouTube (sorry, my computer will not give links at the moment, but you just need to enter the word 'splits' and it will give you several including yoga and shaolin exercises).
I am trying to do the same thing again myself...if you've done the splits before then it must be possible to achieve it after a bit of practice...

[Eve]

OOOh a long time since I've been able to do the full splits.

If your body was there once then it should be easier to get back to it. I did ballet and other dance and gymnastics and am still very flexible but not having done that kind of work and now having arthritis has put paid to being quite that flexible :)

Some tips here...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blast/dance/advice/tips/d oing_the_splits.shtml

Take it easy though, if you've not been that flexible for a while then don't risk overdoing things and causing yourself an injury by pushing it.

Yoga and pilates should help with general flexibility and they should teach you how to go through levels and extentions at a reasonable pace to get body ready.

[Velvetee]

There used to be a guy at the gym I work at, who could do the splits. It was mesmerising.

[Ice.Maiden]

Bet it was INTERESTING as well, Velvetee! : )

[hollie0551]

Thank so much for your help, i'll let you know how i get on :)

[joggerjayne]

I'm curious ... why do you want to do the splits?

[Scarlett]

I learned how to do the splits in both directions simply by keeping practicing and keeping pushing! The muscles eventually stretched and then one day I tried it and could do it easily! That was 30 years ago..

[terambulan]

the splits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWgJM0qW438&fea ture=related

[saxy_jag]

When I was at school, a ballet-dancer/gymnastic friend undertook to teach me how to do the splits. I never fully got there, but the flexibility in my hips certainly improved as a result of the exercise.

Basically, you find a solid piece of furniture or a rail at about hip height. The back of a sofa worked for me. Stand alongside it and bring the knee that's closest to it up and onto it, your lower leg resting along it and behind you. Then you bend and touch your toes several times, holding the stretch each time. You then turn and repeat the exercise on the other side.