Working on middle split

jtbsdca2349 started this discussion · 6/21/2015

Finally starting to get a little of an over split .i would like to be able to do this cold (absolutely no warm up ) I feel it would transfer more to being bendy on the pole . Any comments or suggestions greatly appreciated :). I would like to share that just s few days ago I bought s balletband to help w my straddle split and I think it is very helpful for keeping hips aligned and when sitting in straddle and anything straddle /middle split related

15 replies

Phoenix Hunter · 6/21/2015
That is a beautiful split! However I don't know that it is a good goal or even a possible goal to want to do this without a warm up. I'm sure some people may be able to and it totally may be possible for you too. But it's not so terrible having to warm up for splits or pole. So I can't tell you how to be able to do this without warming up. But I think your split looks great. I have found that I need less warming up with splits if I am very consistent with working on my active flexibility . Try working on getting your active flexibility as closest to your passive flexibility as possible . I have friends who are amazingly flexible and strong contortionists and they take pride in warming up their body. It is just really a part of the process and keeps you from injury. Warming up is a chance for you to connect your mind to your body so you can get your best performance. I wish I could just do things without warming up too, but I've come to really enjoy warming up. It's kind of a meditative process that is easier to accept rather than fight against. But that being said, a lot of people can do amazing things without having to warm up, I'm guessing they usually have been blessed with genetics that allow that.
Phoenix Hunter · 6/21/2015
Also I'm glad you mentioned the ballet band , I was thinking of getting one. Glad to hear you liked yours:) again, that is an amazing split.
jtbsdca2349 · 6/22/2015
Thank You for your input and suggestion . Your right about warming up and gonna start seeing it more positively . If you get the ballet band , experiment with it . I don't feel it if I just do like the direction says . But if i have it on when I go into split as above I really feel it. If you get one and would like more tips lmk:)
AllysonKendal · 6/22/2015
Awesome split! I got a ballet band and returned it.... are you talking about this one? http://www.amazon.com/SUPERIORBAND-Ballet-Stretch-Gymnastics-Training/dp/B00J1QXDQ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434985300&sr=8-1&keywords=ballet+band this stretch: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71fX3OcpAUL._SL1500_.jpg just was not do able with the band for someone of my height. Once hooked on one leg I couldn't even pull it to my belly button. There is just noooooo way I could put it on my other leg. If you have a longer one let me know!
jtbsdca2349 · 6/22/2015
It looks exactly the same but i ordered mine from balletband.com. I looked on the web site and it didnt give dimensions . I have a friend that must be 6' use and it worked . I definitely feel tension when i put my legs out to straddle . Hth
AllysonKendal · 6/22/2015
yeah, I'd be interested in the dimensions... If you ever get around to measuring it let me know! The one I returned said "Long at 45 Inches Flat = 90 Inches in Circumference". Maybe it needed to be broken in or something.... But I honestly had my husband try and help me. We hooked it on my left leg and could barely make it to my right hip... and it seemed dangerous at that point.. like if it slipped or snapped someone would lose an eye... So I gave up and just returned it.
skramamme · 6/22/2015
I'm interested in this stretching aid which somehow can work as a partner would in some stretches- it's used a lot for soccer, martial arts, ice hockey as well as cheer leading stuff http://www.stretchaflex.com/
Wcox · 6/22/2015
I purchased this contraption for help with my middles https://youtu.be/ZkQqvt4XNCY It shows the degree of your split so it's super easy to measure progress.
Phoenix Hunter · 7/25/2015
I just ordered a ballet band! will update you when it arrives! I'm really interested in doing standing scorpion and standing splits with it! all those standing flexy things. and straddles of course! :)
mystical · 7/25/2015
Haha that would be awesome, good luck :)
jtbsdca2349 · 7/25/2015
Glad you ordered it!! It's been great for me .
I polekat I · 7/26/2015
Allyson this might help, I saw a video on fb of a girl getting into hers. She starts sitting with both legs bent in close, feet close to her bum, kinda like a sitting up frog. That way she can loop it over both feet at the same time, then she stretches both legs out at the same time. Maybe this will help if u haven't tried this way?? =]
AllysonKendal · 7/27/2015
Thanks! I returned it. My husband was helping me, and honestly there was just no way... Even with two people pulling with all their might it was like the length of one of my legs. It got to the point where we both realized if by chance I did manage to hook it anywhere it would be really freaking dangerous. It would either break my legs in half or snap and seriously hurt someone. I'm wondering if the ballet band is larger. Curious on the measurements.
Phoenix Hunter · 7/29/2015
Allyson, When I get my ballet band I will measure it and see how long it is. I tried to look for measurements on the website and couldnt find any.
Phoenix Hunter · 7/30/2015
Ok,my ballet band is here! I'm not gonna use it today cause I'm sore from flexibility yesterday. but I did measure it and it is also 45inches long. it is a green rubber loop. I was kind of worried cause I thought, oh my god there's no way I can sit in a straddle with this thing on but I did it. it has some minimal instructions with it. you sit in butterfly position, wrap a loop over each foot and extend into a straddle. it doesnt feel super tight or anything. it was pretty comfortable to straddle in. I am a little bit over 5ft 5inches. I think you are taller than me but I still think someone taller could use this strap. So, I'm wondering if maybe you got a different brand? I've seen other bands that look similar. well, anyways, next time I work on flexibility I will try some other things with it. my main thing I want to work on is needle scale and standing splits with it.