I want to become flexible enough to do the splits and other such feats of flexibility. How?

do lots of lunges and REALLY stretch them as far as you can and hold it for at least 20 seconds. also do butterfly stretches and again REALLY stretch and put your nose to your toes. sit in a pike and try to put your nose on your knees. hold this too. all of these are great leg stretches for right and left splits (alternate legs on all of these stretches). for the straddle split, just go down as far as possible and hold it. remember to be patient. a full split is difficult and takes awhile to achieve. once you do get your split(s) remember to stretch a lot. if you dont you can lose it. oh and no it would be GOOD for you. being flexible can help prevent injuries. everyone should stretch most just dont

good luck:)

Basically, it would not hurt your performance at all, it would only help. I've been able to do the splits for 8 years now and when I first started stretching it took me a few months to get it where I could go all the way down. Just practice doing the splits over and over again. Don't try to force it, because it will hurt at first (which I'm sure you are aware of). An old cheerleading trick to stretch more efficiently is to lie on your back and put one leg straight in the air. Have a friend push it back for you (towards your body) until it gets to the point where it hurts, then release it and try it again. You'll notice that it during the next try your leg will get closer to your body.

Once you get used to being flexible, it's awesome. It doesn't require a lot of effort at all to maintain and after a while it feels good instead of hurting. Just stretch before bed every night and get used to being fantastic at yoga.

Well what i did was i stretched ALOT and if you want to do the splits you need to really work your calves and upper leg.

1. stretch before doing this. stretch till your legs hurt. (this makes it easier.)

2. go down as far as you can 6 times 3 times a day.

Then in about 2-3 weeks depending on how hard you worked and Natural flexibility you will be able to do the splits all the way to the ground :D good luck!

what you can do is do lunges and then try and do the splits we did this in dance class and eventually i could do them good luck!