I am so unflexable & it really puts a damper on dancing. I'm just starting out so what are some good stretching exercises I can do to get more flexable????
I am so unflexable & it really puts a damper on dancing. I'm just starting out so what are some good stretching exercises I can do to get more flexable????
I learned an exercise a LONG time ago in dance classes that should help you out, if not help you to do splits. sit facing the wall w/ your legs spread out on either side in an V shape w/ feet touching the wall. stretch to the right, to the middle, to the left and get comfortable doing that for a few days. every day, get a little bit closer to the wall and do the same exercises. this should strengthen your thigh muscles and pretty soon your legs should be against the wall. make sense? it takes time, but just doing stretches every day will help you become more flexible.![]()
Take a few ballet classes. This will help dance better and be more flexible. Or, try pilates.
Smoochies...



I know many great exercises for good flexibility, but it's too hard to explain in words. The best thing you can do is go to your local dance studio (ballet, jazz, hip hop, etc) and take a class or two. Most studios let you try a class for free. If you don't want to actually take the class, then find a studio with a window where you can observe (many studios allow this for potential students). You'll learn an amazing 10-15 minute warm up. It's usually the same exact warm up and stretches no matter what city or school you go to. I was in dance my whole life and it never varied much, but it will improve your flexibility. Remember though, that it's going to take lots of time (about a year usually) and practice to get the results that you're probably looking for.
I always liked the butterfly streach.... doing the normal way and the out way was how i learned how to put my foot behind my head.butterfly incase you didnt know is kinda like sitting crosslegged on the floor or indian style except you put the bottoms of your feet together. its called a butterfly because your knees will most likely stick up and look like a buttefly. the goal is to use your elbows to push your knees down and to bring your feet in as close as possible to your body, you can also lean down while doing this to increase the streach as you get better. the "out" position is where you have your feet together but away from your body, and you lean down to put your head on your feet, its hard to do and you prolly wont get it at first but it streaches well....
also YOGA. lots of diffrent positions, some easy, some hard, great stuff......
and dont just streach during your designated time, do it all day, everytime you stand up just do a quick whole body streach. When i lay on my couch i will periodicly raise my leg up and streach it, its almost perpendicular to me and the couch when i do this, and i have been doing it so long that its just a habit now.......
here are a couple of pics (taken by photodave). the left one is sorta a lotus positon, and the right is a butterfly (not out) but with my body down, thats not an easy one to do, but the pic sorta gives you an idea of that i was talking about....





Ami is right !! Yoga is the best IMO. I also do Pilates but, yoga took me from a stiff person to being very flexible. Pilates,ballet and yoga all use about the same principles and excercises...I have tried them all and yoga is my favorite :wink:
Great pictures Ami :cheesy:
My new love...is me !
Even the greatest authority does not, ultimately, know you as you know yourself.
Jhuka
When someone shows you who they are, believe them.
Maya Angelou
thank you![]()



Interesting, I found yoga to be a great way to maintain most of my flexibility. But if I only do yoga and not any dance stretches, I lose my ability to do the splits all three ways. I do love yoga though for all of it's benefits. Guess that every person's body is differen't. Good luck with your stretching xjulesx.
Yes, Yoga and Pilates are great! Also, check out some books about stretching for dancers. The dancer stretches are always great!
Bookmarks