Deja vu moment (back bending again)

Hey all! I have not been blogging at all since experiencing a pinched nerve (which has disappeared completely, and which I said I was going to make an entry on, but never did, ha!).

So again, this is familiar territory. Yoga continues to be a mainstay in my workouts. Contortion, on the other hand, has not been getting my focus that much this year.

I would not say I am officially back at it. But I am happy with the base I am starting with in regards to flexibility.

♥ Bambi

Contortion update: Ankle-grabbing... getting there... sorta!

So... we are officially entering Autumn tomorrow! With the changing of the seasons, my stretching practice times have shrunk considerably with school and work :/. I have not lost any of my newly acquired (ninja) skills over the Summer, but I have been doing just enough to maintain them and to progress at a snail's pace... which is still progress, but very frustrating!

I have been practicing doing oversplits and needle scales over and over and over, in addition to basic stretches. All of this just to gain more flexibility in my back. Like I said in a previous post, when it comes to flexibility, there just seems to be no end in sight! So now that I can get into a chest-stand, next up is being able to grab my legs while back-bending. Starting at the ankles, and then working my way up.

I will be going on vacation soon (will still be stretching every day, of course!), but hopefully I can twist and mangle my schedule enough to allow for those long serious stretching sessions of Summertime when I get back.

♥ Bambi

Some videos from before.

My camera records only 30 seconds at a time, so they are really short clips, and you can see me sort of rushing through the poses to try to fit them into the time frame.

These are from a while ago.

The first is of me doing a back-bend against the wall. By constricting myself against it, it will help make my bridge be "tighter" and more compact. And please ignore all my funky body spasms! LOL :/ Normally I am MUCH smoother in my transitions, but again, I tried to fit it all into 30 seconds.

This is of me doing a back-bend / bridge without the support of a wall. Obviously, it could be better. As my back flexibility increases, the better it should look.

♥ Bambi

Back-bend progress.

Hey everyone.

I am going to use this a photo blog as I progress along in gaining more flexibility. Strength training is not my primary fitness goal as it is with many of you, however, I am testing out some exercises to strengthen my core and back. It will be a little added diversity beyond just doing crunches and ball exercises.

Some background: Although I have been a "flexible" person for most of my life, I have actually started contortion training only just late last Fall (~6 months ago). It is a late start, (especially when you compare it to people who have been training since they were 6!!!) and the chances of getting to do this on stage is much slimmer... but you know what? I love it. I love reaping the benefits from the progress I have made, and I want to see how far I can push myself and excel in. But it really comes down to this: it is never too late to try something!

So... I feel I have made some good progress in the past month. The momentum has definitely picked up considerably compared to the slow start of the first few months! As of now, I can do a back bend / bridge, comfortably, from standing posture, although there is room for improvement to make it tighter and more graceful.

And now some stretching poses, with a few unflattering ones...

♥ Bambi