Day 22 - Middle Splits Challenge
"Sometimes, more is less.....and less is much better"
This is a lesson I just learned through this challenge.
It seemed my progress stalled because I overworked my muscles and didn't give them enough rest.
My research on splits (middle, front, etc.) indicated that the stretching sessions shouldn't be done daily to allow the muscles to recover for subsequent sessions.
Nonetheless, I have already committed to daily training and I plan to continue the daily training until the 30 days; if I don't meet the goal, I will start another challenge with a better streamlined training session.
Anyway, I woke up early and was able to perform a lot of whole body stretches; whole body stretches always feel sooooo gooooood!
The Training
I started my splits warm-up drills: the regulars, straddle lifts, hamstring stretch, leg swings, etc.
The warm-up drills typically take about 15 - 20 mins.
I was ready for the splits session.
The Experience
Because I have reduced my informal session stretches, my muscles actually responded to the stretches.
I could feel my pelvis opening more as I kept pushing back & down; sometimes, I stood on my heels to feel the hamstring stretch; other times, I stood on the outer side of the feet as I kept pushing down.
I was sweating profusely!
After the 5th set was over, I rested for 60 seconds and then, I started 60-second front split stretch on each leg, with 60-second rest in between.
I completed 2 sets of the front splits (on each leg).
Informal Sessions
The only informal sessions I did was wide-leg horse stance; this is to build the leg strength required to perform a split without having to do a lot of warm-up drills.
I also completed some pancaking and back stretches in the evening, but those didn't target the pelvis.
So now, I will continue to reduce my informal sessions in order to allow the muscles to rest.
I will accomplish this goal, a middle splits, soon.