Exercises: How to Do the Splits

Doing the splits is something that is needed for many many hobbies. Dancing, tae Kwon Doh, Karate, and even yoga to name a few. But how do you get from barely being able to move your legs apart to actually bringing your leg to your head? This is a process, but it can be a achieved by anyone.

You must start with stretching. No matter what, you're not going to get anywhere with out stretching. With any new exercise or fitness regiment, stretching is the most import an thing you can do. It gets the blood flowing, it lets your body know what's about to happen, and it gets you ready to accept everything that is going to happen. it;s like talking to your body and saying, you can do this and you're ready for this.

The first stretch is a simple stretch: Stand with your legs spread just past your shoulder width. Lean toward one side till you feel your inner thigh pulling. Repeat on the other side. Hold each stretch for 30 seconds. Do 3 reps of each side.

Now, standing in the same stance, reach directly down and try to place your palms on the ground. Do not get discouraged by how far you can or can't go down. Just stretch till you feel the pull, for 30 seconds. Do 2 reps. Every time you're done reaching down doing this stretch, stand up and reach straight up to stretch out your spine. You don't want to neglect any of the other parts of your body.

Sit down and keep your back straight. Posture is very important with this stretch and really in all stretched. Put the soles of your feet together and pull them as close to your body as possible. Push down your thighs with your own power till you fill them pull, and hold it for 30 seconds. Do this three times. Move your legs into whatever position yo u want for a few minutes, and then put them back into the same position again. This time, push down your knees with your elbows. See how far you can push them down. Each time you push those knees down, hold it for 30 seconds.

Continuing your sitting position, spread your legs as far as you can. Reach out, pulling yourself farther and farther with your fingers. When you can't take any more hold it for 30 seconds. Do not repeat this. Stand up and walk up to a wall and sit down facing it. Spread your legs again, but this time scooch up so the you can place your heels on the wall. Push your body towards the wall, using your hands behind you if you must, forcing your legs farther apart. Hold for 30 seconds. Try these wall exercisers 3 -4 times.

NOTE: After each of these stretches, feel free to get up, pull your legs together, anything that makes you feel better. Remember, the4se are happy stretches. You're not in boot camp, you wan to do this and that's why you are doing it.

The next stretch is with a partner. You must feel comfortable with this person because they are going to have themselves between your legs, and this is a sensitive spot for most people. Lie on your back and lift your legs straight up. Have your partner sit in front of you,so that if you put down your legs you would smack them in the face. Slowly lower each leg so that it goes into a split. Ask your partner to take each leg and slowly push them down. Let them know when it is starting to feel uncomfortable, when it's starting to hurt, when to go slow, and then when you need them to STOP! At that moment, hold this for as long as you can. If you'd like to go further you can. It's up to you. Try to do these stretches everyday. If you're the type of person who gives everything they have on each stretch, every other day.

Now that you can do it, your body will want to go back to its other way of being. It's because your body believed that that way of being was natural, not this way of being. You now have to train your body to understand what is natural and not natural. Continue practicing, continue working on this every day. Eventually, your body will get the idea what is your normal, and you will be more flexible for a very long time.