How Do You Develop An Awesome Spiral?

How Do You Develop An Awesome Spiral?

I'm just wondering if anyone has any hints or tips for developing a great spiral?

My Pilates classes are helping develop greater flexibility, but are there exercises or other things I can do to get that leg to go up there and stay up there? I know I won't turn into Sasha overnight, but I'm tired of looking like Mr. Ed! :rollin:

spirals

STRETCH!!!! Everynight before you go to bed, or when you wake up in the mornings, stretch for a good 5 minutes. do straddle position stretches, the pike(both legs together in front of you, straight) position, etc. Then work on getting the spilts. Hold onto something like the back of a couch, and get into the spiral postition, hold this for 15 to 20seconds. if you have someone who can push your leg up when your in this postition, that would help a lot more.but remember, never stretch on cold muscles. stretch after skate practice or a hot shower/bath. hope this helps!
Sk8Bunny
p.s. i used to not have any flexibilty, well, i had the potential, just didnt fullfil it. so i started stretching everynight about 2 years ago. now, im one of the most flexible people at my rink. it just takes time and patience. its not something you can learn overnight. good luck!

Re: spirals

Great advice, Sk8Bunny! I was hoping to hear from people with experience, like you. Those stretches should also help my Ina Bauer and hydroplane, both of which are much less existant than my spiral. :lol:

Re: spirals

Along with flexibility you need strength to keep the leg up.

Re: spirals

Although I only get mine just above hip height (and at age 45 it ain't going to get a lot higher....:rollin: ), the best change my coach made for me was having me place the free leg in "attitude" position prior to lifting it. By doing so, I'm able to get better lift and extension and position the free foot/toe properly. It has made a huge difference in my spirals.

Re: spirals

dlksk8fan - Good point about the strength.

Yazmeen - funny, I find the same thing is true about opening up first in the attitude. Both of my spirals are above the hip, but I'm really hoping to get an even better "champagne glass" look to them, even at 45! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">

I appreciate the help. I have a video/DVD of my spiral. I'm going to start the stretches, etc. and mark my calendar for four weeks from now and then record them again to see if I notice the teeny tiniest improvements! Ditto for four weeks after that. Maybe it will motivate me to keep trying.

Awesome spirals

This may sound funny but don't forget to use those butt muscles, this helps alot rather than trying to just lift the leg up without using them.

Re: How Do You Develop An Awesome Spiral?

I saw on some skating website that there was something one could buy that you'd attach to a door or something and hook it on your foot (looked like it to me) and it improves your extension. Iwas like, "Ooh."

Re: How Do You Develop An Awesome Spiral?

Lanechka -- hmmm, that sounds more like it comes from the medieval torture website! :rollin: