#25 Front Splits: Lessons from a Stretchy Adventure

A while ago, I had a surprising revelation: I can do front splits.

If front splits aren’t your thing, don’t worry. Keep reading. This is not a guide on achieving them but rather about the process of triumphing over difficulties and the lessons that come with it.

How It All Began

After a weekend chasing waves in the water, my hips and lower back felt tight and tired. I wanted to rest my overused muscles but also desired movement to combat stiffness. Thanks to years of Pilates practice, I intuitively understood that merely resting or stretching wouldn't be enough.

Unique Set of Needs

Hip and lower back issues are common in modern society, but the causes can vary greatly among individuals. That means everyone needs distinct solutions. Addressing these physical issues requires different approaches for someone who spends their day glued to an office chair compared to someone who is active all day long.

Working with knowledgeable teachers who truly understand my body has been immensely valuable in helping me understand its needs when I feel tired. And what a game-changer this has been!

Movement Heals

To combat my stiffness after the weekend, I started with some basic Reformer exercises to warm up my body. The Reformer is the perfect piece of equipment to invigorate and pamper the body at the same time. And within thirty minutes of mindful yet strong movement, I felt like an entirely different person.

Hello, endorphins!

To wrap up the session, I decided to do Leg Springs on the Cadillac. Although it’s not an exercise I usually enjoy, I knew it could do wonders to energize and loosen up my tight hips. And to my surprise, it actually felt good.

During the series, there's a specific transition in the Sidekick exercises that takes you from one side to the other through a front split. Feeling particularly good at that moment, I decided to attempt this challenging move that I would typically avoid.

And voila!

Just like that, there I was, magically in a split position!

Out of nowhere, the exercise that once filled me with dread became effortless and simple.

Front Splits: The Journey and Lessons

Reflecting on the past two years, I discovered the key factor that helped me conquer this once-hated exercise. And I realized that the lessons from my front splits journey can be applied to various life situations when pursuing a specific goal, regardless of your chosen field.

Here are the five lessons I learned:

1. Choose the Right Teacher

Find a teacher who truly understands and supports you, rather than being swayed by diplomas on the wall or social media popularity. Working with teachers who have personal experience with similar challenges will provide a foundation of understanding and help develop trust.

2. Embrace the Role of a Student

Merely signing up for a class or course isn’t enough. Take full responsibility for your progress, expect challenges, and be prepared for moments of frustration. Embrace the fact that you will not be perfect and won’t master everything right away. And guess what? It’s totally okay!

Accept it.

3. Commitment and Consistency

No one can do the work for you. Show up every day and put in the effort, as each step contributes to your future success. Cultivate discipline and consistency in your mindset. Too many people give up too early on too many things. Know your priorities and don’t compromise on them.

4. Trust The Method

Have faith in the process, even if certain aspects seem unconventional at times. Results may not be immediate, but each small step will eventually lead to your desired outcome. Trust that there’s a reason behind each exercise, task, or technique. Sometimes you’ll feel confused and question everything along the way. Trust that there will come a day when all the pieces fall into place, and everything will make perfect sense.

5. Embrace Your Unique Journey

Don’t compare yourself to others, as everyone faces their own challenges and learns in their own way. Focus on self-improvement, understanding your body, your mind, and finding joy in the learning process. Remember that there are many paths to achieving your goals. Don’t hesitate to take your own route, even if it diverges from the crowd.

Conclusion

Finding the right teacher, embracing the role of a student, committing to consistency, trusting the process, and embracing my unique journey have been key for me in conquering challenges and achieving goals.

The lessons are a daily reminder to seek guidance, take responsibility for our journey, stay committed, have faith in the process, and focus on personal growth rather than comparing ourselves to others. Whether it's mastering an exercise or pursuing any goal, these principles lead us to growth and, ultimately, to fulfillment.

So let's embrace the adventure and keep stretching towards our goals.