What are some tips that I can use that will help me with my splits?

I am so close to getting my splits but it just seems like I can't get that last two inches to get to the ground. Please any tips!!!What are some tips that I can use that will help me with my splits?
I'm not sure what you're doing to get your splits now, but try these things, and I'll give you a link to a video for stretching, too.





Go down into your split as far as you can. Hold it there for about 15 seconds and then take a big, deep breath in. As you exhale, slide into the split a little farther. You'd be surprised at how well it works. Hold that there for a few seconds, and if you feel comfortable enough do the exhale and slide again. If you don't feel comfortable, or you continue doing the exhale and slide until you don't feel comfortable doing it anymore, hold the position you're in for as long as you can. And when you feel like you can't hold it anymore, hold it for 15 more seconds and then relax.





Or you can sit down on the floor close to a wall. Lie down on your back and scoot your butt up to the wall as close as you can. Let your legs rest up against the wall straight up, as if they would be if you were sitting on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Then, slowly, drop your legs down as close to a straddle position as you can. And hold it for at least a minute. Then drop your legs farther, and hold it. Drop them farther, then hold it.





You can also stretch in the door frame. Go to the door frame and put your back up against one side of it, and then put your leg up on the other side. Then slowly try to get your foot higher in the doorway, and your body closer to your leg.





Whatever you do, make sure you do it slowly, and if it hurts more than a normal stretch would, stop. Trying to get your splits too fast can lead you to serious injury.





And here's the video I promised:





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsgwGBN2z鈥?/a>





I know it says beginnner, but it will work for you and any form of dance you're in.





Good luck!What are some tips that I can use that will help me with my splits?
To work on my splits, this is what I used to do:


Take a gymnastics mat that is a couple of 4-6 inches off the ground. You can use other things, such as folded up towels or a box, but make sure it is sturdy enough to hold the wight of your leg. Go into a split, but have the front foot on top of the mat, and hold it their for a couple of minutes. For you right split, you right foot will be on the mat, and same goes for the left. It will be hard, and it may hurt a bit but when you take the mat away, you will find that you can go down lower, easier! Hope this helps!
If you do the following stretching exercises regularly, they will help you do a split. It will take time to improve your flexibility, so don't rush things or you could injure yourself.





Warm up first by skipping a rope or jogging in place for 5 minutes.





Keeping your back straight, bend down from the waist and try to touch your toes. Hold this position for half a minute.





Next, sit down on the ground with your legs straight out in front of you, knees together. Reach forward, bending at the waist, and try to touch your toes Keep your back straight and try to get your chest as close to your legs as possible. Hold for half a minute.





Now kneel down and place your hands on the ground on either side of your body to support you. Stretch one leg behind you and relax. Let your body sink toward the ground. Hold for one minute and then switch legs.





After each stretching session, go into the split position and see how low you can go. As your flexibility improves, you will find you can go lower and lower. Don't strain yourself. If you feel any discomfort, stop immediately. Some people are more naturally flexible than others, so don't compare with your progress with a friend.





TIP:


Always wear loose, comfortable clothing and sneakers while performing these stretches.





I hope this helps!
we did this in ballet and i was surprised at how well it really worked :





*do this stretch near a wall (with nothing near it)


- sit on the ground with your butt against the wall.


- lean back onto your elbows


- (while keeping your legs straight and against the wall) lower your legs into a straddle


- make sure your butt is still against the wall, and lean in to the middle (between your legs)





you should feel stretching in the leg muscles you're probably not used to using.


this stretch helps loosen your hips, and that should help you get your split.





*hold stretch about 2 minutes





*do this every night (your muscels are more tired at night and will give you a better stretch)





*after a month (at the most) you should have your split!!!!






Okay. Splits take lots of time to achieve. All you have to do is STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH, and then slowly go down into your vertical split, and hold it there as long as you can until it hurts. Then STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH again, and go down the other way. Do this every day or so and you should be able to do splits within 6 months to a year. JUST MAKE SURE YOU STRETCH. but since you are a dancer, you should know that. lol anyway. Hope i helped.


ps. Horizontal splits usually take even more time, but you should try to perfect those too. just ALWAYS be careful. ^_^ Good Luck!
Make sure your posture is correct.





I found this site: http://www.body-fizzeek.co.uk/splits.htm





I remember my ballet teacher always getting mad about bouncing too.





Keep trying and good luck
I had the same problem last year. (now i have my splits) Stretch like at least 2 time a day. When ever you have free time, like when you are watching T.V. or reading STRETCH. you'll get them!