Public Network for Contortionists

WHEN SHOULD YOU EASE OFF OF TRAINING?? FEEDBACK PLEASE!!!!!!

Hello to everyone on this great site. I have a topic that I wish to have some feedback on. I am quite flexible and I love doing backbends. I keep pushing myself and I have noticed that the right site of my lower back can be stretched and bent further without any discomfort at all. However my left side is a different story. If I really push my backbending, I can go far back a few times, but afterwards I will experience a little soreness on the left side of me lower back and feel it even more the next day. After 2-3 days the discomfort goes away on my left side. I would like to do more intense training more often. I guess I am wondering should I keep on pushing myself through the discomfort, will it go away?? Or should I wait the 2-3 days each time my left side gets a little sore to heal and then continue with more advanced backbending?? Any suggestions, training tips, or comments would be greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed talking with everyone on this site. Thanks very much.
Vincent

Tags: backbending, flexibility, stretching, training

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Permalink Reply by Jenji Dea on August 22, 2009 at 1:10am: Well I used to get sore on one side then the other...it bounced around. Since I have watched way too may contortion clips I have been pulling my backbend higher in the spine more towards the rib cage and shoulders. I have not been sore. But when I do get sore I either work through it for a day or so then break or back off and do something else for a day and come back If it still sore I take two or three day off completely....and hope to come back if that doesn't work I suffer through it and it goes away eventually. Muscle sore okay sciatica not okay .... or any super sharp pain. Keep the bend high in the spine.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Vincent on September 16, 2009 at 4:26pm: Hi Jenji
Your tips are very helpful with raising the rib cage higher to alleviate the pressure on the lower back. I have also watched hundreds of contortion clips, and the majority of contortionists develop their flexibility through the entire range of the spine, not just one specific area. I think all I am experiecing is a little soreness, again on my left side only. It goes away a little more quickly now, so hopefully my backbending training and development is making it easier to get into much deeper bends, with less soreness. Your pictures are really good too, how long did it take you to get to this stage of backbending? Thanks again for your ideas and I will use them to my benefit. Hope all is well, and that we talk again soon.
Vincent; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MiM on September 12, 2009 at 2:37am: Its okay to keep stretching, but gently. Don't push it too much again and again. Deep tissue massage can also help even up the sides, as you may have a tenancy to lean to one side more when your standing or sit awkwardly, and it sends the muscles into spasm or just makes them really tight. I have this tenancy, and have seen many people about this, it is possible to minimise the difference in sides =). Relaxing those muscles on your left side needs to be a focus. Then it will probably be easier to push your body further, without the few day break being required after every session =) Not sure if that will help, but all the best with it! Patience is key =); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Vincent on September 16, 2009 at 4:18pm: Hi MiM,

Just wanted to write you back with the really helpful advice you gave me on my backbending training. I really appreciate it, and your tips are working great. I hope my body gets to the point where there will be little effort or warm up needed to get into my cheststand, and that both sides become almost equal in terms of flexibility. Your seem to be quite the contortionist as well. Your pictures are great!! How long have you been training for?? Keep up the great work, and thanks again for your advice. I know I will use it wisely. Hope to talk again soon.
Vincent; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kahurangi Bronsson-George on November 14, 2009 at 9:27pm: Cheers Mim, & hello by the way...
Recently come into a few back problems myself, particularly the lower back. No specific side, just the whole area below the ribcage & above the tailbone. After all, it is what bends the most whene'er I bridge, leaving precious little for my upper back & neck to do...
I'm trying to get them up to speed with my lower back so I can rest nice & comfy-like on my chin, & give my ankles a kind massage, & I was wondering if there is anything you can suggest to forward this process slightly.

I know to be patient, but I feel like I'm progressing backwards. Wondering how to coordinate the training with appropriate sabbaticals inbetween. This is my first discussion, it's all new to me :-)
K.B.G.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carolyn Whited on October 29, 2009 at 6:15pm: I always ease up when I feel intense pulling. Usually after a week of icy-hot and mild stretches it works out. I also ease up when ever I fall on my head but thats for a totally different reason... my head just hurts.

Hope it helped you out; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Syf19y on October 30, 2009 at 8:19am: I really like this post (or reply, or is response more apt?), you certainly have a great sense of humour!!; ▶ Reply to This