Ballet Stretches...Pikes ?

Question

Ok so I've been dancing for about 5-6 years (started at 5 1/2) now I am 14 and I am restarting. I was amazed to see how fast I could get back into being flexible because a year ago icouldn't do ANYTHING..trust me. Now i'm about 10cm away from the floor in my right split (still working on my left split ... much harder) anyway theres just one thing i wanted to know... when I do my pikes (both legs straight out, bend forward at reach) my legs BURN.. Literaly burn. Is that supposed to happen ?? When I stop though, they don't hurt anymore. Also any tips on how to get my middle splits and left split ?? Thnx in advanced__xo

Answer 1

It feels like your muscles are burning because they aren't used to being in that position. As for splits, practice them everyday, and do whatever you can do stretch out your legs!

Answer 2

This will be totally normal. this means your working with your muscles and your stretching them. try not to pull to hard because that can hurt them. it just means your not as flexible as you used to be. its fine.

For your middle split- sit in a straddle position and lean over forward untill you are in your middle split. After you get there, hold your middle split for as long as you can. it takes over 20 seconds before your muscles strt to stretch.

For left splits (or right splits too)- Find a place that is open and something to hold onto in the place of a barre. one hand on the barre, grab your ankle farthest from the barre with the hand farthest from the barre and try to straighten your leg without letting go. Another go stretch is to put your foot on a barre and stretch over your foot for 32 counts. After that, slide your foot down the barre (standing foot completely still) until you've reached your split.  When you do this, make sure your foot is directly in front of you. After 32 counts, you can switch so your foot stays in place but you know face the wall, and you tretch to the side. Repeat back, with your leg completely behind you. instead of stretching towards your leg on the barre, stretch forward towards your standing leg.

i hope this helps and have a fun time dancing!!!

Answer 3

It sounds like you are stretching too far too soon. Go very slowly when you are stretching, in the beginning.

Answer 4

That burn you feel is because your muscles aren't used to being pulled that way. So my advice would be keep stretching and just grin and bear it.

Answer 5

before you dance do u stretch every muscle in your leg if not that's is why it is burning and if you do stretch do it for longer then you no that it is better and it wont burn as much

Answer 6

No, it's just your muscles yelping in a painful stretch - I wouldn't worry about it b/c I got it every single time I had to do that stretch (as a result, I hated that stretch and avoided it as much as possible, lol).  

Um....middle splits - lie with rear against wall and back on floor and do middle split with legs against wall and hold it for as long as you can stand (maybe 5-7 minutes?).  What will also help is if you add weights (the kind that you can wrap around your ankes/arms) to your ankles.

Left split - lie on back with both legs on floor.  Slowly bring back left leg - the goal is to get it to the floor next to your ear.  Do the same with the other leg.

**Hope some of this helps - good luck!!**

Answer 7

The burn is from the mussels working, if it hurts really bad and you can not stand the pain your going to far into the stretch. For getting your left splits bend your left leg (the one in front) and have your right(the one in back)  leg strait out. Sit like that when watching TV and you will get it soon enough.