Stretching For Splits

[stevj016]

Hello everyone,

I'm a dancer in training, and need to vastly improve both of my splits, right now my flexibility is awful and my splits are way off. I've found this DVD:

http://www.elasticsteel.net/Splits_Flexibility_Stretching_Training_Video_p/es-dvd.htm

Would this DVD be suitable for me? It seems to mainly be for martial arts purposes, whereas I am a dancer. I'm guessing it would be fine, but I thought I would ask your opinions first.

Thanks,
Stevj016.

[Van Zandt]

The principles of flexibility training remain the same regardless of your sport or activity. I will be the first to admit that Paul Zaichik is a flexible fellow, but I'm not a fan of his products. They are poorly put together and he seems to have half a dozen products for the same purpose. This is of course just my opinion, but it's you and not a book/DVD which will make you achieve full splits. With that in mind, all the info you will ever need is right here on the MAP forums. I'd suggest you start with the sticky titled "Beginner's Guide to Flexibility" and go from there.

And a book/DVD can't answer your questions ;)

[Mitch]

The principles of flexibility training remain the same regardless of your sport or activity. I will be the first to admit that Paul Zaichik is a flexible fellow, but I'm not a fan of his products. They are poorly put together and he seems to have half a dozen products for the same purpose. This is of course just my opinion, but it's you and not a book/DVD which will make you achieve full splits. With that in mind, all the info you will ever need is right here on the MAP forums. I'd suggest you start with the sticky titled "Beginner's Guide to Flexibility" and go from there.

And a book/DVD can't answer your questions ;)

You want to recomend anyone in particular VZ? :whistle:

Mitch

[Van Zandt]

:D

[Mitch]

:D

What's that up there? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's jwt clinging to the ceiling! :D

Mitch

[Van Zandt]

Not making the mmm-mmm game that easy Mitch!

[YouKnowWho]

I have seen that the way dancers stretch are different from the way that MA guys stretch. When dancers stretches on the bar, they like to point their toes forward (I could be wrong on this). When MA guys stretches, their like to pull their toes back. There are 4 different stage of bar stretching in CMA (not sure it's the same in TKD). There are:

1. 頂(Ding) - head touches your toes.
2. 扣(Kou) - nose touches your toes.
3. 吻(Wen) - mouth touches your toes.
4. 拂(Fu) - chin touches your toes.

It gets harder and harder in different training stage.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7544/stretchg.th.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/stretchg.jpg/)

[Van Zandt]

Er... I'm pretty sure it's anatomically impossible for your chin to touch your toes with your leg locked out straight.

[YouKnowWho]

Er... I'm pretty sure it's anatomically impossible for your chin to touch your toes with your leg locked out straight.
You may find some real pictures and clips if you do a google search.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/6392/stretchw.th.jpg (http://img69.imageshack.us/i/stretchw.jpg/)

YouTube- Wushu Acadamy Stretching

[Van Zandt]

I'm not sure how much stress that causes on the achilles tendon and knee ligaments (the foot looks raised way too far back to the point it may cause instability in the ankle joint and the knee looks like it is starting to bend the wrong way). I can kiss the back of my leg in a hamstring stretch, but even to me this stretch feels unsafe. Perhaps I should rephrase my other post to say, it's anatomically impossible from any rational training method.

And don't get me started on how ridiculously stupid that stretching video is. Never ever do ballistic stretching unless you want mobility problems later in life.

[deathmaster]

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7544/stretchg.th.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/stretchg.jpg/)

this pic was taken from a book if anyone can tell me it's name and thx in advance

[Patrick Smith]

this pic was taken from a book if anyone can tell me it's name and thx in advance

I don't know the name of the book, but if you're looking for a list of stretches to do for martial arts you should read Van Zandt's threads here in the Flexibility section.


http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85373

http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89245


Here's a nice list of stretches too: http://www.drillsandskills.com/stretching

[deathmaster]

thx PatrickSmith but i wanted to know the name of the book cuz it contains many good stuff other than stretching