Photo: Kyle Soule

Do Ballet dancers do the splits?

The front split is probably one of the most desired milestones for adult ballet dancers. And there are probably just as many opinions and stretching recommendations for it as there are ballet websites on the Internet.

balletmisfits.dance - Flexibility is Overrated: What you Really Need to Get the Front Split ...

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So here is to one more!

Basically, I want to add to add to the richness of split knowledge from the perspective of someone who:

started ballet at age 37, and not very flexible

was not born flexible, nor flexible as a child - and I never did any siginificant, deep stretching until my late thirties

needed several YEARS to get the front split

tried a huge amount of approaches on the way

has the training/coaching background to put it all together

So if this speaks to you - let’s tackle this beast!

First of all - this article is not a step-by-step outline for how to achieve the front split. If you want that - drop me a comment below or email me at patricia@balletmisfits.dance - if there is enough interest, I am happy to put together something beautiful (along the lines of “The Flexibility Guide for the Anti-Flexible” ;-)). But, what this article WILL give you: A fresh perspective on how to reframe your split/stretch training - which, I am pretty sure, will let you see quicker AND safer progress in achieving your front split.

The Front Split is NOT About Flexibility

So let’s dive right in and and fire away the biggest misconception about the front split: That it’s the hallmark of flexibility. That it’s a relaxed, sinking into the floor. I know I am asking a lot: But forget that view. Thinking of the splits as elongating your tissues and relaxing everything is not only NOT supported by scientific evidence - it also sets you up for injuries and weakness. Which brings us to what a front split REALLY is: A. Strength. Exercise! And it’s not just the split: Science and expert movement practitioners all over the world have been telling us for a long time that flexibility without strength is a surefire way to all kind of problems, like injuries and lack of movement control. That’s why you often find the term ‘flexibilty’ replaced by the term ‘mobility’ nowadays:

MOBILITY = FLEXIBILITY + STRENGTH

Or you could put it like this: Getting your splits means training your leg/hip muscles to become stronger at the extreme range of motion your hip joint.

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