Day 5 - Middle Splits Challenge
Day 5 was a Saturday, which is dedicated towards resting, stretching, and informal activities.
So, I became a couch potato and laid on the couch for about 2 - 3 hrs.
Eventually, I began watching splits videos on Youtube and found this gem:
Eventually, I began to perform some minor body stretches and mobility & flexibility exercises.
Before I knew it, I began to perform some minor body stretches as well as mobility & flexibility exercises.
The Training
The flexibility exercises led to warming up with three sets of butterfly poses (with 15-lbs weight disc on each thigh for 60-seconds), which could only lead to one thing: middle splits training time
I also warmed up with some dynamic minor horse stance.
And thus, I began the splits training.
The Experience
My thighs were burning after each set; because I was propping myself up with my hands, my arms were also getting some exercises and thus,were getting tired.
By arching my back as advised in the previous videos, I really could feel my pelvis opening up.
By the time I completed the 4th set, I knew I needed more resting time for the 5th set; so, I modified the training program so that the 5th/final set would have a 2-min resting period.
With the modification, I still complete the training in 10 mins and the extra 60 seconds resting period helped with the training.
My ankles are actually touching the ground now during the training; this indicates progress.
After the training, I completed another three sets of butterfly poses.
I also stretched my lower back using one of the techniques mentioned in the above video.
Informal Sessions
I practise stretching almost everywhere now; I can't sit down without trying the butterfly pose, with or without additional weights.
I can't brush my teeth without performing standing stretches.
Later in the evening, after completing a 4-mile work to meet my daily 15k-step goal, I completed another middle splits training session.
And at bedtime, I couldn't help it; I middle-split before jumping into bed.
Conclusion
This goal is addictive! Each completed session makes me want to do more and the beauty of it is that it can be practised anywhere, anytime.
So, I'm going for it! See ya tomorrow.