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Improving flexibility? How often should you stretch if you want to improve your overall flexibility? Something like every morning and night?

Improving Flexibility? I am an extremely non flexible person, especially in my legs (calves, hamstings, ect.) and have tried to improve this, but not had much success. What are some tips and/or routines that would help me improve my flexibility? I'm an already active person and I play varsity soccer which is coupled with club soccer all year round, but I want to be able to run mountain trails without keeling over from bad flexibility.

improving flexibility? in the sports i am involved in, it is very important to be flexible. i run long distance, and cheerlead. try outs are coming up, followed by a running season and i would like to be more flexible. - i would like to be able to do my split in 3 weeks, my elbows can touch the ground, yet i am still inches off. - i also have a bad turnout so its hard for me to have a good straddle, and moreover a good toe touch jump. how can i (specifically) improve it? what are some stretches to make me more flexible? you don't have to participate in the same sports as i, i would appreciate as much help as possible. :-)

Improving flexibility for Martial Arts? I've been out of Karate for several years. My flexibility is not what it used to be. Does anyone have any ideas on how to improve by side and roundhouse kicks? I will try the yoga, for those who think they are being smart with the "stretch every day" comments, your not. I already do that and I am not seeing the results. Please provide constructive comments about specific type of stretches and diffrent programs that have worked for you.

This question has to do with improving flexibility.? Should someone take days off from stretching the same way that someone should take days off from weightlifting?Dose taking breaks help with improved results, in regards to improved flexibility?

Can you develop strength behind improving flexibility alone? I lift weights, Do Squats, Deadlifts, etc. and I'm more of a powerlifter, I lift heavy and very low rep. No more than 5 reps. However, I got a massage and I noticed all these muscle knots in my muscles that were being massaged out. Also when the massuesse stepped on my back I heard a whole bunch of cracking, I guess that came from the squats and deadlifts I've been doing over time. I'm thinking about stop lifting weights it seems to me it messes up your posterial structure and decompresses your discs in your back. I'm being more flexibility minded now. I'm thinking of doing some stuff like Yoga, maybe, However, Can I gain strength through flexibility alone if I stopped hitting the weights as a hobby. Do people actually gain strength from flexibility?

Im a pitcher and need help on improving flexibility? im a pitcher going into college and need help on any stretches or exersizes that would im prove my flexibility because my body is really tight like my muscles and my legs need loosining up any ideas ,,,, please??

Will improving my flexibility help increase my vertical jump? I'm in college about 6 foot tall. I have always been able to jump just about high enough to hang on the rim. I am also very inflexible. For example I can barely reach down past my knees. If I work on my flexiblity should I be able to jump higher and possible dunk consistently?

Can anybody recommend some effective flexibility improving exercises (for kicking)? I'm trying to improve the flexibility I have in my legs so I can pull off some of those high kicks for Karate. So far, all I can manage to do is a high snap kick and a pretty good axe kick, but I need to work on doing a round kick to the head. Details aside, can anybody help me out here?

Improving flexibility for ballet? Hey people! I'm starting summer school at the New Jersey School of Ballet and would really like to improve my flexibility before July 7. So, please offer any tips. NOTE: I'm not at pointe yet :)

Which foods that are best at healing an aching body or improving joint flexibility? Which are best for energy? Where can I find a breakdown of the nutritional value of foods that will tell me the benefits received from different foods?

Improving flexibility safely any decent sites? Alright basically i understand the basics about stretching & what not, but recently i've been required to improve my flexibility & strength in my legs/hips for martial arts. I know that it takes time & practice just i'm unsure how to safely go about improving my flexibility, As for the strenght i assume working out on the legs & just practice holding them at certian heights (ontop of becoming more flexibile) will help. HOW far is far when i'm stretching, like should i just be feeling the stretch or to the smallest extent feeling a prickle of pain? Basically any links or personal info will be appreciated, i plan to ask around the gym too as there are trainers & what seems to be Tai Chi/Yoga practicioners

How can I improve my embouchure flexibility? I have been playing French horn for about 4 years. I am first chair in my high school's honors band. My biggest problem is flexibility. If I am playing a phrase where the notes range more than about 6 or 7 notes apart, I have an extremely hard time and I can almost never get low enough or high enough to play certain parts of the passage. How can I work on improving my flexibility? Does anyone have any tips, or any warm up techniques? Would using a deep cup mouthpiece be beneficial over a shallow cup mouthpiece?

any tips on improving sprint times and flexibility? i am a sprinter and i am becoming more aware that i really need to improve my flexiblity and speed, do you know anything that will help?

Any tips on improving flexibility? So also I was wondering if there was any diets that might effect it as well

What are some very effective stretches to improve flexibility? I want to improve my flexibility, and I know that I have to stretch a lot to do so. What are some of the most effective stretches that I can do? (I'm a cheerleader, so I really want to try and make my legs and arms more flexible.)

What's the best way to improve flexibility for squatting? I'm a tall guy who's very inflexible but loves lifting weights. I don't want to lift improperly, so does anyone have suggestions on how to improve my flexibility for squats?

What discipline can I study to improve flexibility? I'm a martial arts instructor, and I stretch out every day, but I have still lost some flexibility as I've gotten older. I'm still more felixble than average, but I can feel the tightness in the muscles slowing me down some. I've been thinking of pilates to improve flexibility. Does it work for that? Is there anything better? Does anyone know of a good DVD stretching program I can do at home?

What is the best way to improve flexibility? I do yoga at home for relaxation in my "calm time", usually on weekends with no plans or about an hour after dinner, when I'm alone. I have an easy routine, and I'm having trouble doing a few more advanced poses because of flexibility. I'm not overweight nor have any condition, or anything like that. I'm just really tall and have long limbs, so it's a bit hard to stretch, especially when the hamstring is included. Does anyone know any techniques to improve flexibility? -Thanks in advance! : ) ~Sky

Some exercises to improve flexibility to mount horses? I can never get onto the taller horses from the ground, and was wondering if anybody knew of some exercises to help improve flexibility. It is always the worst on the trail, when I have to dismount for some reason and then have to find a big stump in order to get back on. Thanks!

What can I do to improve flexibility? I need stretches to do to improve my flexibility on ice. I need to get my spirals back up past 90 degrees, especially on my right, when I do them my hip hurts. Just in general, I need good stretches.

How can I improve my flexibility? I am a gymnast but some of the things I cant do need insanse flexibility...I cant do the splits at all, How can I improve flexibility, Or do the splits easier? Thanks!

Is yoga a good way to improve your flexibility? And for that matter are there any other exercises to help improve flexibility, specifically in your legs/lowerbody?

What are some stretching exercises that would increase flexibility? I'm in my midteens and I'd like to take figure skating classes this winter. What are some exercises I could try to prepare myself for them? Or do know any good websites that might help? Oh, and I've never played sports before. I know it'll be a while before taking classes, but building strength and improving flexibility will take time, which is why I want to start now. Thanks! :)

What are some good ways to improve flexibility when I dance? I'm just beginning, started doing it by myself @ my house and I started liking it. not sure I'm confident enuf for lessons. What are some ways to improve sharpness, flexibility, speed etc? Practice or is there something I can do to help it? (Thanks Guys :)

How to Improve Flexibility in Legs/Hamstrings? I have pretty bad flexibility in my legs/hamstrings that I can't even touch my toes when standing with my legs straight. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips, suggestions, exercise moves or anything on how to improve flexibility in my leg/hamstrings.

Can anybody tell me some stretches to improve my flexibility? Can anybody list and describe how to perform some good stretches to improve flexibility in my legs please?

How to improve Flexibility of waist? flexibility of waist as in doing bridge etc. i cant do them, but i really want to. what stretches or workout can help to improve the flexibility or waist?

How to improve your flexibility? I am 13 and I have been dancing for 9 years. My right split is flat and my left and middle is almost flat. What are some good stretches to improve flexibility?? I want to have oversplits, and i waant to have flat jetes.

Has anyone got any stretches to improve flexibility? I have been dancing since I was little and have always had really bad flexibility :-( I couldn't improve coz I rode horses and it can be dangerous to be flexible when jumping. However I have quit horses and really need to improve fast in flexibility for an upcoming exam. PLEASE HELP ME!!! I do ballet, tap, modern/jazz and contempory!!! Thanks :-)

improving flexibility question? hey guys, i was just wondering. i go to gymnastics and i'm not very flexible yet and wen we warm up we are like bending over to reach our toes and things like that, same in a straddle position and i cant do it i was jus wondering is there like a couple of stretches i could do in the morning every day before school. you know something like that that would really help my flexibility

Which stretches will help me improve flexibility for kickboxing? Ive recently taken up kickboxing and my kicks lack power mainly due to lack of flexibility. Could anyone give me a stretching plan which i can fit into 10 minutes of the day? Thanks alot!

Improving my flexibility? Someone pls point me in the direction of a good routine of about 15 mins in length I can use to improve my flexibility. I have made some good improvements but have hit a wall. Also, in what order, if any should I do dynamic, active and static stretches. I asked this before but no one actually answered the question, they just told me to do yoga or keep trying, so answering the questoin would be a good step. Thx in advance.

How can I stretch to improve my flexibility? I am a dancer and I have been dancing for 2yrs now. I need to work on my splits and flexibility. So what kind of stretches or techniques can I do to improve my flexibility everyday.

How can I drastically improve my flexibility? I'm trying to improve both my arm and leg flexibility because I got a flexibility test coming up soon and my flexibility is awful, I can't touch my feet with my hands without bending my knees.

How to improve your flexibility at home? This question is for all the gymnasts, cheerleaders, dancers, etc... How can you improve your flexibility by yourself, exercising alone? Which exercises are the best? Você é do Brasil, não fala Brasileiro. Mas eu traduzo para português...:p Como melhorar a sua flexibilidade através de exercicíos em casa?

How Can i Improve my flexibility for kickboxing? Ive recently taken up kickboxing and was wondering how i can improve my flexibility for the kicks or how to improve power for the kicks as my punching is so much better. Any help is much appreciated!

What kind of exercises are important to improve flexibility and strength? is pilates very good for flexibility

How liquid rubber improves the flexibility of roofing structure? and how much they can assure it? How liquid rubber improves the flexibility of roofing structure? and how much they can assure it?

Any ideas to improve my flexibility in your sleep or in simple situations? like any tactics to improve? my flexibility is terrible and i need help! besides stretching for 10 minutes everyday is there a way to stretch for a long period of time in a comfortable manner?

How can I improve the flexibility of my back? I'm still a few inches away from being able to lay on my stomach and touch my foot/feet to my head and in the future I'd like to be able to go a lot farther. What can I do to improve the flexibility of my back? What are some good stretches?

Good ways for a guy to improve his flexibility? I do ballet, jazz, tap and want to improve my flexibility. I know the most basic way is to stretch, but is there any other ways that i can see quicker results? or any certain stretches that improve it more than others? Thanks!

Is it possible to improve my flexibility in 2 weeks? I have a gym test in 2 or 3 weeks on flexibility. I have to measure how far my back can go in front of me while i'm sitting down. Is there anyway to improve my flexibility in this short amount of time?

How can I improve my flexibility in dance and my developpe's? I have been dancing for 13 yrs and I am now 16 yrs old. I have always had a slight problem with flexibility. I have my right and left split just not my chinese or middle split. I want to be a dancer and I have been working so hard for so long but nothing seems to work. I also want higher developpes. Any suggestions would help. And anything that can help me improve fast would be great. Thank You! -dancerindistress

How do i improve the flexibility of my back? I'm a dancer and I wish to improve the flexibility or loosen the muscles of my back as my back is rather stiff. Thus I tend to look too 'pulled up' when I'm dancing styles like hip hop.

How Can I Improve Flexibility to Get My Karate Kicks Higher? I'm recovering from surgery and have lost my flexibility, which was minimal to begin with. Basically, my kicks for karate are awful, and I have no instructor for a bit. My front kicks are barely waist high, and i can't get side kicks or back kicks above my waist. what stretches will increase my flexibility so i can kick high? thanks.

How do I improve my flexibility? I want to touch my head to my knees and be able to do really good back bends, and splits. Whats a good way to improve your flexibility at a good rate? I had good flexibility years ago but I quit stretching. I started stretching again but my progress hasn't been as fast. Its limiting the movements I can do.

what is a good way to improve your flexibility in a short amount of time? I know that working on it everyday helps. I only know a few stretches from my dance class and some basic ones I already know. Other than that what are some good stretches or tips to help me improve my flexibility for tryouts coming up in mid May? for dance by the way

What's a good stretching schedule to improve leg flexibility? I would like to be able to do the splits, and be flexible enough to do a lot of the tough breakdancing stuff I've had trouble on. I would like to know a good plan to follow that will improve my leg flexibility in both doing splits and doing high kicks. Links to exercise instructionals are especially appreciated!

what's the best type of yoga to improve your flexibility for running in track and field? I'm a 400m runner for my track team and one thing my coach says I need to work on is my flexibility...regular stretching doesn't seem to work well enough, so what type of yoga should I look for to improve?

How can i improve my flexibility? I'm 17 and I do Performing Arts in college. Our teacher is teaching us to do the splits by using the 'bar' but we rarely get to use it, only about once a week or so - which is not gonna help that much... Any ways I can improve my flexibility quicker and any ideas what I can do? Thanks for the help! Plus! I actually want to able to do the splits more than anything :D

improving my flexibility.....? thanks to all who can help!!!! im 5ft4" and always been active through my life dancing sports etc but have never been overly flexible, id love to be able to do the splits and when stretching be able to get my head to my knees etc, im not completely rigid and do have some degree of 'bend' in me!!! is there anyway i can achieve an improved state of flexibility at all????

What should I be doing to improve flexibility in my legs? I have recently started thai boxing and am really enjoying it but I am having problems with high kicks; I am not very flexible. Can anyone recommend a stretch routine that would give quick results? When finished I would like to be able to do the splits and touch my forehead with my foot. Is this a realistic goal? Also I don't have time to start a yoga class.

How do I improve my flexibility? I want to touch my head to my knees and be able to do really good back bends, and splits. Whats a good way to improve your flexibility at a good rate? I had good flexibility years ago but I quit stretching. I started stretching again but my progress hasn't been as fast. Its limiting the movements I can do.

How can I improve my flexibility? I do ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and production, what exercise can help me to improve my flexibility?

How do you improve flexibility? I was just wondering, because I used to be really flexible, and a friend and I were doing splits the other day, and I could barely do one anymore, haha. Are there certain stretches that help the most?

How do you go about getting powerful legs and yet continue to improve flexibility? I've done martial arts like Tae Kwon Do and Ju Jutsu, but, nothing's really changed my leg power drastically.

Are there any stretches that can improve my overall flexibility? I am a gymnast and i do gymnastics twice a week but i need to improve my flexibility, especially in the back, legs and hip. I was wondering if anyone has any tips or any stretches that i could do and how often. Thanks ... hope to hear from you soon =D

Are there any stretches to improve flexibility that will help with the splits? i really want to get the splits but i'm not flexible enough at the moment!

Can massage therapy and stretching be used to improve flexibility in the hips? In the past, I have had a combination of massage therapy and stretching to help relieve tightness and discomfort in a tight knee joint following an injury as part of rehabilitation for that knee. I am hoping that there are also similar techniques for alleviating tightness in the hips. Does anyone know of such a regimen for the hips (involving stretching and massage)?

What is a good at-home way to improve flexibility?

How can I improve my finger flexibility to play the guitar better? I've only been playing for a few weeks and I find that it is hard for my fingers to properly to reach all of the chords. Outside of regular practice, are there any particular stretches, exercises or devices that will improve my finger flexibility so I can play chords easier?

How can I improve my overall flexibility? I've always been active since I was a little kid and remain so even up until now (17 years old). Still though, I am not very felxible. That being said, I really can't complain because I do not stretch because it is not a habit that I can get in to. When I do try I just get annoyed because I can't even reach my toes without bending my knees. Any other alternate methods to improve not only the flexibility to be able to reach my toes, but in all parts of my body? Help! Thanks.

What exercises can I do to improve my flexibility? I used to be able to do the splits (about 9 years ago.. lol) and i'm now 15. I really wish i was more flexible as I can't really do anything flexible. at all. Are there any at home excersises i could do to improve my flexibility? THANKYOU.x

Easy, less painful ways to improve flexibility? How? Well I have been stretching for a little over a week now and my legs hurt like heck! I stretch my legs as far as I can so I can be able to do the splits and all that good stuff, but the pain is so excruciating that I just chicken out. I hate doing this, but I'm not that big a fan of pain. Is there some less painful easy ways to improve flexibility? Especially in my legs and thighs? If not, how can I at least warm up my muscles to where stretching doesn't hurt so badly?

Any suggestions on how to improve flexibility? I'm in reasonable shape but i'm not very flexiable any suggestions how i can improve?

how do you stretch your abs to improve flexibility? hi, what are some good abs stretches that will help lenghten my stomach and help flexibility. when i arch backwards my stomach muscles pull rite at my bikini like and it hurts. thats what i want to stop. please help and thanx :-]

What is the best strategy to improve flexibility?

How can I improve my flexibility for dance? For anyone out there that's a dancer, what are the best stretches to do for flexibility? My goal is to be able to do a split before summer ends, and so far I'm not making very much progress. Help???

I'm 27 y/o & started dancing lessons, what are some easy things to do at home to improve flexibility? I want to be able to do the splits, etc. Am I too old for this? :) I should mention that I'm in good shape and run a lot, but I don't do any yoga, etc.

How do i improve my leg flexibility? Anybody know any routines or stretches i can do to improve my muscle flexibility, particuarly in my legs? Thanks.

What are some GOOD stretches for dancers to really improve flexibility? please give me good details. thanks

How does volleyball improve muscular strength & flexibility? Okay, so I have to write an essay on volleyball (ugh) and I must explain how it improves certain things. I wanna know how volleyball improves muscular strength and flexibility. (Like, it works out the muscles when you ____ and ___ .) We canNOT say flexibility is related to volleyball because you stretch! Thanks in advance!

What are some ways to improve flexibility?