Expected backbend progress?

beaniegoesnuts started this discussion · 8/20/2012

In an attempt to improve my back flexibility, my new goal is to be able to touch both feet to the ground in an elbowstand backbend holding the pole. It took me 22 months to get my front splits so as you can see i'm not naturally bendy at all. Just wondering how long it took you guys to achieve your backbend goals (whatever they may be)? Hopefully it'll give me an idea of how long it will take me and whether its a possibility at all! Thanks everyone!

10 replies

beaniegoesnuts · 8/20/2012
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/427032_10152012992210556_19092666_n.jpgto give an idea, this is where i am currently at. its not good! do you think it'll ever be possible to get my toes to touch the ground?
Lana Lee · 8/21/2012
Everyone progresses at their own rate. I know for a fact that it took me many months to be able to get my splits, and even then it's not exactly there. I've been trying for awhile to do more back flexibility stretches and have noticed very little improvement. Guess it really depends on how persistent you are with your stretches! If you do them everyday then you should progress faster than someone who only stretches twice a week. I got so fed up with not getting much back flexibility that I just signed up for contortion classes. I have only heard good things about it, and my goal is to be able to get into the flying ballerina by the end of the contortion program (September through end of October). Even then my back bend still won't get my feet to touch the floor while in an elbow stand, but I'm pretty realistic when it comes to pole moves lol. Good luck!
Lyme Lyte · 8/21/2012
I did the same move as the picture to check my back flexibility. It sure did feel like I was about where you were and I was about ready to break in half. Once I looked at the video, my back was almost STRAIGHT! Just my legs were bent at the knees. Oh well, I could/should work on it. Just don't think it is a top priority for me at this time.....too far to go! :)
Lyme Lyte · 8/21/2012
I did the same move as the picture to check my back flexibility. It sure did feel like I was about where you were and I was about ready to break in half. Once I looked at the video, my back was almost STRAIGHT! Just my legs were bent at the knees. Oh well, I could/should work on it. Just don't think it is a top priority for me at this time.....too far to go! :)
Hazelnut · 8/21/2012
i can see a slight problem here though, or maybe i'm wrong - aren't you limited by the fact the pole is between your upper thighs? so unless you walk your hands/arms forward, you are going to hit a point where you physically can't move down anymore? YOu want the bend to be through your whole back, not just at the hip joints, so you need to be able to slide your bum down and get your feet to the ground. Am i making sense lol?! i did a contortion class with justine mclucas this last weekend and she had some really good back flexibility stuff (which i couldn't really do as i'm not very bendy)... we did alot of bridges/crabs, and also these stretches where you stand with your feet about a foot from the wall, and put your arms up above your head (hands together) and try to push your armpits into the wall while looking up at the ceiling. you're keeping your lower back/bum straight, so you should feel it in your upper back and it is supposed to help it get bendy!!! lol sorry for the long post!
Veena · 8/21/2012
It's so great that you have a photo to look back on!! I don't have a pic of my starting point, but at 2:20 in the vid you'll see where I use to be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbW-t8Fsdvc&feature=channel_video_title I would also suggest using a slightly different pose. It's pretty much the same only your farther away from the pole, and you've place a leg straight along the pole like this pic on my profile. https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/4db05424-5cb8-4531-8ae5-099c0ac37250 I honestly don't know how you guy's use that pose...it would smash my lady bit!! ouch. lol I feel that a lot of back mobility is learning HOW to use your spine and how to contract the muscles in the right way. Lengthing through the whole spine not just the low back. I started off with poor back mobility and I believe everyone can improve there mobility, but to what degree depends on gentics, times spent/effort, and attitude. The lessons I have in the stretching section and in the back mobility routine, are all using stretches and exercises I have personally used myself with amazing results! I feel slow and steady is best, 1-2 times a week is good for starting your mobility work and NEVER push to the point of intense pain. It's your spine, it's not worth trying to push too far!! 😉
kasanya · 8/21/2012
@ Lana Lee: Are you taking the Beginner's or the Bendie's level contortion class?
beaniegoesnuts · 8/21/2012
thank you so much for your advice and encouragement! lana lee- im scared of contortion, it seems too extreme for my back at the moment but hopefully one day... good luck with your classes! lyme lyte- i know exactly what you mean, i always feel like yeah! i'm so low today, then i look at the pic and its a sad litle bend... hazelnut, i have to try that wall stretch, it sounds amazing! miss veena- you are sooo bendy! i've never thought about it as lengthening my back before but that makes lots of sense! i shall try and stretch up as well as back! its so encouraging to see that it can be taught and doesnt have to be genetic. all of my bendy friends have a genetically bendy back and i dont but that just makes any progress so much better! can't wait to try these tips out in my next stretch sesh!
Lana Lee · 8/21/2012
Kasanya, I'm taking the Beginner's! I cannot yet do the splits, but I'm almost there!
kasanya · 8/22/2012
Then I'll see you there! =D