How do I learn to do a split?

Question

I take martial arts classes and I need to learn this to better my kicks.

Answer 1

First learn how to stretch properly. Many people who stretch to gain flexibility to do the splits put to much stress on their hips and supporting ligiments. Read up on some of Bill Wallace's articles on stretching and look into Tom Kurtz, he has an excellent program. Also check to see if your body can actually do the splits. Stand next to a table or counter the same height as your waist, put your leg out to the side foot forward and see if you can stand straight up, next to the same thing on the other side. By doing this you will see if you have any bone structure or legiments that mind prevent you from achieving full splits. Here is Kurtz's link to his website.

http://www.stadion.com/column.html

Answer 2

you don't actually have to LEARN how to do a full split, it's just a matter of stretching yourself little by little each day and pushing yourself further if you feel that you're too comfortable in your current range of motion.

if the school has a stretching machine then I reccommend you use it before class starts, if not then you might want to see if you can order one online from awma.com.

or ask a fellow student to push (carefully, because you don't want to tear a muscle, or ligament) on the insides of your ankles with their feet while holding on to your wrists for support, or you can brace yourself against a wall, to keep from sliding backwards.

it'll take a couple of months of stretching to get there, but you can do it eventually, just make sure to stretch further a little bit each day for best results

Answer 3

i recommend taking yoga.
opening of the hips and using the joints differently is important.
take a yoga class (even private) and tell them this is your goal.
they can teach you to use your hips differently to do this.
of course some muscles have to learn to let go, too.

Answer 4

u cant really learn how to do the splits, u just have to stretch and work on your flexiblity