how do I make a start on learning the splits

Hi everyone I fairly new to poling,I was wondering where you make a start at learning to do the splits. Im no spring chicken I am 41 years old and never as much as stretched a muscle in my life!  Bad I know, not since starting Poling anyhow. I am trying to stretch and strength. Im not sure how I am meant to doing it, At the moment I am doing alternate days ...when I remember.. shocking huh!  Just need to get in to a routine with it..Just dont feel I am doing enough really.. Anyway the splits.. eek at my age!!   How do you start on these, is it best to learn the front splits first or side?  how do you stretch for them, any one recommend a good dvd to help. As I need to follow something  while doing stretches fro them.. memory is not good enough, hee hee  ;0)