How do I become more flexible for ballet?

Storm Chaser: How do I become more flexible for ballet?
I’m thinking about starting ballet, but I’m just about as flexible as a brick. Any advice on how to become more limber?

Answers and Views:

Answer by laholly1
Here is a great article on types of stretching; PNF seems to be the fastest, but it is also recommended that you work with a trainer initially.

You can google “types of stretching” for more google entries, some with illustrations. PNF is also available on youtube.

Answer by Knicole
You just have to stretch out everyday and slowly work on you flexibility cause you don’t want to tear anything. try doing your splits everyday and try kicks and leg lifts. but don’t hurt yourself cause then you will have to start all over again. sorry i couldn’t be more help.

Answer by layne m
Make sure to warm up properly before doing ANY of these!!!!

A straddle is the best stretch for splits in second. Sit up with your feet straight in front of you. Now, push your legs as far out to the side as you can. Then, stretch over to your right and try to touch your ear to your knee. Make sure to keep both your butt cheeks firmly on the ground (or else you won’t get the full benefit on the stretch). Go to your left and do the same thing. Now, go forward and try to touch your belly button to the ground. Try to keep your legs turned out.

After you do this, use your hands to push yourself up and over the splits so your legs are behind you and your chest is on the floor. Go against a wall and do this. While pushing your legs against the wall, try to get your legs as close to the splits as possible.

Sit with your feet straight in front of you. Fold in half and try to touch your nose to your knee. Do this with pointed and flexed feet.

Do the butterfly to increase turnout. Try to get your legs as close to the ground and possible and try to touch your head to your legs while keeping your back flat, not curved.

A resistance stretch is great for kicks. First, lay down. Keep one leg straight. Bring the other up and grab with both hands. Try to get the leg you are grabbing as close to your face as possible WITHOUT bending your leg on the ground (keep it fully on the ground) and keep your back and butt firmly on the ground.

If you want, do the resistance stretch, only have a friend push down your leg rather than you grab it.

Sit in a jazz split position (a split but with the back leg bent and turned out). Lean towards the inside of the split, trying to get your head to touch the ground. Then, lean forward. Try to get your nose to touch your knee.

Do a lunge stretch. Just stand straight up, then slide one foot out in front of you with the knee at a 90 degree angle.

Go into the splits, only bend your front leg at a 90 degree angle, turned out. Your front leg should be completely on the ground. Now, law down over your front leg, trying to get your face to touch the ground.

Lastly, do an arabesque penchee. Now, pulse your leg up 8 times, trying to get it as high as you can.

Then, slide into the splits.

For the back, stand next to a wall with your hip facing it. Put your hand on the wall. Now bend backwards as far as you can only using your back. Keep your hand on the wall. It may hurt the first few times but it works! The goal of this is to get your back bent at a 90 degree angle. Don’t worry though- only REALLY flexible people can actually do that!

Hold all of these for 30 seconds. Try to do these everyday or as often as possible. Don’t push anything too hard ever! Time spent healing an injury is time spent losing flexibility. Use it or lose it!

Answer by Doglover94
Here are some Videos that I found on youtube:

I know that they’re not really ballet stretchs,but they will help! Also, if there is a certain area that you want to improve on, than you can always look it up onyoutube:) Remember to strech every day and warm up before!

Answer by peachypanda
start by doing simple stretches little by little. You can start with the butterfly stretch if you want.
Stop if anything hurts
You can stretch using a theraband, those can be bought at any dance store.
You can stretch while watching TV, reading a book, listening to music, doing hw, etc.