Doing the splits, yoga and knees safety advice

sarajenivieve
sarajenivieve Posts: 303 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So one of my 2017 goals is to do the splits by summer.
Im current not super flexable, I do lunges, high and deep, hamstrings, and pigeon pose.
Iv found particularly with pigeon pose my knee gets sensitive after.
I keep my foot flexed as i read that can protect from knee issues. Lately when i sit with my left leg under me as i usually do with my knee in a similar position as in pigeon it hurts , it seems to be hurting a lot more often since iv started this does anyone havew posture tips or other tips to protect my knee and learn the splits?

Replies

  • thelovelyLIZ
    thelovelyLIZ Posts: 1,227 Member
    Splits are actually on my goal list for 2017. I don't know about the knee pain other than that you may be trying to do too much too soon. Splits take a looooong time in my experience.

    You might need to dive into some sources. I've been mostly getting my split stretches from dance and gymnastic sources. Dancers in particular are pretty protective of their knees that might be a good spot to start
  • sarajenivieve
    sarajenivieve Posts: 303 Member
    I actually was thinking of doing dancer workouts for my non gym days I know there are some good videos for it i may download one to bring with me and follow for my cool down
  • lisamerrison
    lisamerrison Posts: 90 Member
    I used to be a gymnast, and whether or not it is a good idea but the way I did the splits was to get into the split position as far down as you can go and I had someone gently bouncing me on my shoulders, eventually you will be supple enough to get all the way down. Obviously warm up with stretches first
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    I used to be a gymnast, and whether or not it is a good idea but the way I did the splits was to get into the split position as far down as you can go and I had someone gently bouncing me on my shoulders, eventually you will be supple enough to get all the way down. Obviously warm up with stretches first

    no not a good idea.
  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    "Bouncing" like that is still fairly common practice in the gymnastics world, but that's generally for pre-pubescent girls and boys. And even then, it's linked to issues later on in life. DON'T DO IT.

    If you're trying to do splits later in life, understand that we're a lot less flexible than in youth. And don't do just getting into the splits position...as you've noticed there are a lot of muscles, tendons, etc. involved and you can mess up and strain soooo many things.

    I'd recommend yoga, Pilates, and other all-over stretching activities. If you do splits, don't try to force anything.
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