Can anyone recommend some flexibility/stretching apps or videos?

[ScottishDancerMum]

Hello!

My daughter keeps trying to contort herself into more and more extreme stretches but I get concerned about her pushing too hard or doing herself some damage.  I asked another dance mum and she said she uses a flexibility app with her kids.  Can anyone recommend anything she can use to ease into things safely?

Thanks x

 

[drdance]

I'd always worry about young dancers trying to follow any sort of 'generic' app or YouTube tutorials etc by themselves as they are just that - too generic. They don't account for the dancers age, experience, physique, bone structure, strength etc etc etc 

 

In my opinion the best way to work on flexibility is to spend some time with a specialist conditioning teacher, dance or sports physio, or similar professional who can help you put together a programne (that you can supervise) based on what she wants to work on and where her strengths/restrictions currently lie.

[ScottishDancerMum]

I like this idea, DrDance - I'm just wondering how to find the right person, and is it overkill to get a physio for an 8 year old child who isn't injured? (not that I want her injured... I just don't want to be seen as an overbearing stage mother.)

 

[Picturesinthefirelight]

It's very expensive but i ordered the Lisa Howell front splits fast programme for dd. It helped her a lot but she was 12 when she began to use it. 

[trog]

The best free resource that I know of is Brad Appleton's Stretching FAQ - this has been quoted in several books, including Stretching Without Pain by Paul Blakey.

 

I also like the Sleek Technique DVD, especially the parts on flexibility. I've seen an improvement in my flexibility, although I'm far too old to reach the splits.