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Question: How to get flexible rather quickly!?
So I've been dancing for most of my life, I started when I was 3 and I'm 14 now!. I've never been very flexible and I always try my best but it doesn't get me far, it's like my body doesn't want to be flexible! But this year I made my high school dance team and they are state champs and take it very seriously!. We just recently tried out for our kick routine and I barely made it and they said I need to stretch, an obvious reality check!.

I already dance an hour on Monday, 2 hours on Tuesday and Thursday, and 3 hours on Wednesday, and I practice throughout the weekend a little bit, so I don't really have much time to do too much!.

I can do my right split, but neither of my other ones!.

I also am 5'9" and skinny, and I have bad knees!.

Thank you for any advice!Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Flexibility is a tricky thing, sometime even diva-esque!.

Before you stretch, make sure you always warm up!. In ballet, we usually do 15-20min of barre work, 1-2min of barre stretch, then we go onto the center floor for splits and straddle stretching (as well as some other stretches)!. I'm not saying that you have to put in 16-22min of warm up, I'm saying that you need to get your blood flowing and your body warmed up before you do any kind of stretching!.

also, you need to stretch everyday to achieve a certain amount of flexibility!. It's one of those things that you have to keep at or you'll lose in a freaking day!. Yes, a day!. You can stretch all you want one day, but if you don't stretch for a day, that's like offsetting 3 or 4 days worth of stretching!. So even if it's for 15 measly minutes, stretch everyday!.

Another thing: how long do you hold your stretches and how much repetition!? Always make sure that you hold your stretches (without the bouncing motion--keep still!) for at least 20 seconds to really let your muscles get a feel of what you're trying to do!. (I say hold it for 45-60 seconds if you can)!. Try and repeat 2-3 times at the least!.

Do not every push yourself more than you can!. If it burns, stop!. Because in a minute or so, you can feel your muscles tighten up because of that and you'll probably not be able to do that stretch again like you could a minute ago!. Only stretch to a comfortable amount of pain (if that makes sense)!.

Basically: stretch everyday, warm up before you stretch, hold and repeat, and don't push yourself!.

For some people, it's hard to gain flexibility!. Like my sister can't touch her toes for her life without bending at her knees!. For some people, it's relatively easy, which is me, and then for some people, it's like sitting (double jointed people, people who have been developing flexibility since they were a baby, born with it, etc!.) Don't get stressed over it!. Just do what I said above and you should see improvements in a month or so (yes, it can take a long time to see a tiny about of improvement)!.

If you want a list of stretches that would be good for you, email me
breathexsuffer@yahoo!.comWww@QuestionHome@Com

Congrats on making the team!!

Always warm up before you stretch! It will make you loose!. Get down into your spilt and stay there and count to thirty!. (if your right split hurts then stay there until the pain gos away) then place your right leg on something off the ground such as a short stool (while you are in a spilt) so that your right leg is elevated off the ground and you really feel all your muscles stretch out!.

To get a straddle split ( when both your legs are next to you) Go against a wall!. And push yourself towards the wall!.( You want the front of you to be facing the wall) remember to keep your knees strait!

to get your back more flexible have your back facing the wall ( but not touching it about a foot and a half away) bend down like you would touch your toes and hold on to the floor!. Lift one of your legs behind you and place it against the wall!. Lift your back up towards your leg
(you may want to have some one help you by holding on to your hands as you go up) and stretch out your back!.

stretch all the time while you watch TV go for both your splits, just make yourself stetch the time and it will really help!Www@QuestionHome@Com