- Joined
- Jan 14, 2008
First, re: definition of flexibility - Can we just stipulate for the purposes of this discussion, that we are talking about muscle, ligament and joint flexibility in humans, which, in the dance and sports world means range of motion or the ability of a muscle to stretch?
Second, re: sitspins and adult flexibility:
- Sitspins - Actually require strength (leg, abdominal and back), balance, timing and technique, AND some flexibility in the lower back and achilles tendon.
- Developing flexibility as an adult - very difficult for some things (i.e., the back bend required for laybacks & Biellmanns), irrelevant for other things (hip turnout, which is determined by the position of the hip joints, which is hereditary) and challenging but definitely achievable for other things (splits).
BTW, for my fellow adults with flexibility envy, simple muscle flexibility (like splits) is probably more attainable than you think, with a little discipline and some stretching instruction from a good physical therapist, yoga instructor, etc. FWIW, I did the splits for the first time in my life in my early 40's and two years later can now do a slight over-split. Now I'm working on translating my Y-spiral position on the floor to a good Y-spiral on the ice (yes, flexibility AND balance is even harder, LOL!). So whether or not you find it attractive, I can definitely appreciate the combination of strength, flexibility and balance involved in Shizuka's Y-spiral with the release! WOW.
Second, re: sitspins and adult flexibility:
- Sitspins - Actually require strength (leg, abdominal and back), balance, timing and technique, AND some flexibility in the lower back and achilles tendon.
- Developing flexibility as an adult - very difficult for some things (i.e., the back bend required for laybacks & Biellmanns), irrelevant for other things (hip turnout, which is determined by the position of the hip joints, which is hereditary) and challenging but definitely achievable for other things (splits).
BTW, for my fellow adults with flexibility envy, simple muscle flexibility (like splits) is probably more attainable than you think, with a little discipline and some stretching instruction from a good physical therapist, yoga instructor, etc. FWIW, I did the splits for the first time in my life in my early 40's and two years later can now do a slight over-split. Now I'm working on translating my Y-spiral position on the floor to a good Y-spiral on the ice (yes, flexibility AND balance is even harder, LOL!). So whether or not you find it attractive, I can definitely appreciate the combination of strength, flexibility and balance involved in Shizuka's Y-spiral with the release! WOW.