Dancers who used to be stiff and are now extremely flexible, how did you do it?

[u/D3sire_97]

Hi everybody! I'm a dancer, been dancing for 12 years now and I'm trying to become super flexible! I love love love ballet and I'm trying my best to become really flexible. What are your routines? How long did this take? I've never been really flexible, I can do kicks and I'm getting closer to my splits on my left side and I'm definitely getting limber from my stretching. But what have you guys done to become even more bendy? :) <3

Edit: I know how to stretch but Ive never really been that consistent with it, I can do basic turns and kicks and adagio etc. but I think that consistency is the key to becoming even better. As dance is my passion I'm doing my best to improve!

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[u/bodhisattvameg]

Maybe not the answers you’re looking for, but coming from someone that has higher than normal muscle tension, getting a deep tissue massage and feedback from a good massage therapist can help you identify areas that need to be stretched more or areas you didn’t know were painful. A physical therapist would be super helpful in the same way. Also, for the longest time I blamed myself for not being more flexible: “I must not be stretching enough, must not have toned my muscles enough, etc.” But then I found out I have multiple hip impingements that make it physically impossible to be more flexible. It helped me feel better to know I am working hard enough, it’s just the way I was born. All of that to say, as annoying as it is, you might have a skeletal limitation. However, the fact you are already getting close to the splits on the left side is super encouraging so keep it up! Just take good care of yourself 💜

[u/Least-Birthday8149]

strength training. your muscles have to be strong enough to put your body in extreme positions. building muscle HELPS with flexibility

[u/Nice_Drummer6]

My flexibility got better once I stopped deep stretching everyday. Let me explain: I still move daily and practice either yoga or dance, but I only practice splits/oversplits/needle/any other challenging "advanced stretching" poses once or twice a week. I find that I get less tired and sore this way, and also less depressed when if I have a "bad" stretching day.

On top of that as another user pointed, strength training makes a difference.

I will also add to pay attention to you cycle if you're female, as during the luteal phase your body can feel stiffer.

[u/cool-beans1013 → u/Nice_Drummer6]

yeah i stretched daily and got rly deep but strained my hamstring so now im probably back to square 1 ( i haven't tried yet bc it still hurts lol) but if u stretch only once or twice dont u still feel like u dont make progress?

[u/D3sire_97 → u/Nice_Drummer6]

Thank you thank you thank you for thisss! Not in luteal right now but that is so good to know omg. I'm not even flexible enough for splits etc. atm but I'll keep that in mind if (WHEN!!!) I get that flexible. I'm getting better though, and I'm finding as days pass my hips are looser and my kicks sit much more comfortably. :) Thanks for the tips!