Ballet......muscle strenghth and flexibility...?

Question:i have been doing ballet for 6 months now and i am 17. It's been most difficult for me to build myself up and become flexible. It's like i'm never going to be flexible. I find it hard to do some of the movements because of this problem. And i do realise its harder for older people like me because our bones are not suttle, but how can i really push myself to become flexable. What exercises are needed?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: i have been doing ballet for 6 months now and i am 17. It's been most difficult for me to build myself up and become flexible. It's like i'm never going to be flexible. I find it hard to do some of the movements because of this problem. And i do realise its harder for older people like me because our bones are not suttle, but how can i really push myself to become flexable. What exercises are needed?

Some people are just naturally more flexible than others. And yes, you do get less flexible as you get older but you can't do anything about that. However everyone can improve their flexibility no matter what your starting point is.

There are many many good flexibility exercises and the key is to do them every day or almost every day. When doing stretches, hold the stretch for 30 seconds to a minute (or even longer) instead of 'bouncing' (which can lead to injury and doesn't give you a good stretch) Aslo stretch when your body is warm and it will be more effective and you will get fewer injuries.

Strecth after hot baths and practice everyday you will get it!! Do it every comerical and sooner and soner you will get it and be more flexible.

Stretch, Strech, Stretch

do lots of strecthing i started ballet when i was 14 and was stiff but now my muscles have loosened up and im alot more flexible now..im 17..stretch stretch stretch correctly

Yoga makes you more flexible. It takes time, drink a lot of water, stretch daily, be patient, you will get better.

I have been doing ballet for twelve years and I have very high muscle tone unlike most other people i also play a lot of sports so my muscles are constantly being stretched tightened i suggest you stretch on your own every night do splits do each stretch for at lest 20 seconds over time you will notice a difference good luck and stay with it ballet is a very moving type of art.

It probably would be helpful to start a yoga class or just practice yoga at home. It really helps your body endure certain positions and steadily increases your flexibility. Good luck!

if you are in los angeles , consider joining the lula washington dance company. they may be able to help.

i suspect age may have something to do with it.

if you had started when you were 6, likely you would not have this problem.

no exersises are needed. try touching toes on the groung wile keeping the legs straight. You have started ballet when you where 4 or 5. consult a physicion on your feet. because if you have flat feet then it will be a total nighmare. make sure you have curved feet

Yes, some people are less flexible than others, I am deffinatly one of the ones that aren't that flexible and I have been dancing for almost 9 years. I still don't have my split and some of easy stretches that some of my friends can do. My point is, I am a lot more flexible than I would be if I hadn't danced for so long, so it just takes time and if you are motivated enough and if you stretch everyday, you can get much more flexible.

And yes it is true that the older you get the less flexible you get. I help with this little kid's class, they are like 3 and 4, I am so envious of them, they do a center split without even knowing what they are doing.