karena

Does anyone have any leg stretching advice? I feel like I have a lack of flexibility in my legs, best described through the exercise people do where you sit on the floor, legs stretched straight and directly in front and then bend over to touch your toes. Well I barely even look like I am stretching at all. It is frankly comical So, can anyone tell me what exercise I need to do to stretch whatever it is that is not stretched, please?
Thanks!

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khanjar

Yoga, Iyengar method I can personally recommend, but there are other types.

When I started six weeks ago, my hamstrings were so tight, I had little flexibility, now, I am impressed, my whole stance and movement is more fluid and relaxed. Oh, and all I do of it, is one and a half hour a week with a yoga teacher.

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Pirika Repun

Karena:

Which part of leg(s) do you want to stretch more? There are so many different way to stretch each part of your body. You just want to stretch for general or some particular part(s)?

Anyway, key is “breath” while you stretch, and do not over do your move. If you feel pain, it’ll be too much stretch. When you feel comfortable and feel good to stretch your body, just hold the position (but DO NOT HOLD your Breath). Little by little you extend your comfortable position farter.

If you can’t reach to your toe when you bend your body, don’t worry about it. Just use hip scarf or towel for around the toe and pull toward to your body slowly to support your stretch. Just do not pull hard or push hard to hurt yourself.

Bellydance Oz

The secret to leg stretching is to stretch each part of the leg separately first, then you will get a better overall stretch.

This article gives a good explanation.

Leg Stretches - leg flexibility for the Inflexible!

If you want to do some overall stretching, yoga is very good.

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karena

Thank guys. I will give some of those ideas a try. I think it's every muscle in my legs, I am seriously inflexible!

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Kashmir

Actually, this will depend on a number of factors - such as how well you hinge at the hip. Many people incorrectly stretch from the lower back on this. The secret to stretching is you identify what bits are inflexible and stretch each muscle independently (otherwise the loosest bit does all the stretch).

For hamstrings I like the lying one - "Lie on your back. Hug one leg into your chest. Then straighten and pull towards you until you just start to feel the stretch. As it "softens" bring it in closer." More detail on
Hamstring - ROM & Stretching

da Sage

You might just have very long legs as compared to your body! Seriously, you may not ever stretch as far as your friends, because of how you're "hooked up".

I recommend paying close attention to which muscles feel tight, and doing long stretches (bend a little, hold it for 10-30 seconds, bend a little more, hold it for another 10-30 seconds, repeat until you feel "done"). Breathe slowly, and deepen the stretch on the exhale. Also, stretching is easier after a short walk, or a hot shower.

Yasmine Bint Al Nubia

YOGA!!!
Yasmine

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jenc

Stretching should be done after exercise not before. Although you may feel that your stiffness may be affecting your dancing, your muscles must be fully awake or you will hurt yourself and become more stiff.

One thought, I can't get very far towards my feet when sitting down, although I can now touch my toes when standing. I wonder if the back muscles are involved. I have just realised that I don't sit up enough when sitting on floor and that I need to work on muscles of lower back more to support me in this.