What you need is dynamic stretching, that is much safer and has better results. Unfortunately, older instructors like to stretch their students like they used to in the good old days, and don't learn. Many of the stretches they do are fine for people who are already flexible, but are terrible for people trying to BE flexible.
Read up on Tom Kurz methods, http://www.stadion.com I have his books and DVD and they're awesome.
My chiropractor also tells me there's a guy with a youtube channel who's also very good - Elastic Steel.
Yes it is and I know people who have done that. The interesting thing is though they did not maintain the flexibility. They went through months of pain from that one stretch and that one time being all the way down in the split and when they finally quit hurting after months and were able to walk more normal and stretch again they still could not do the split. Yes, you can stretch by force and if you are lucky and don't rip something you still seem to have not gained a thing despite all the pain. The secret is slow and steady if you plan on keeping your flexibility instead of a one shot deal with lots of pain. It's not like once you get all the way down it's permanent. You will still have to keep at it and you will have good days and you will have days when your body just does not want to stretch and then you just stretch to maintain instead of stretching to gain.
It is possible but it's insanely risky.
There are stretching machines that can do it with a lot more precision than the rope and pully system but even then you have to take it slowly and carefully. Don't rush and be careful.
its possible to rip your muscles by force and setting yourself back months if not years
movies are not reality
No
I just saw a Van Damme movie and during his training, he roped himself to a tree and by forcefully pulling, he stretched his legs. I've been practicing martial art for like 5 years and im at the point where i need to be able to kick around 2 meters high, which i cant do :D so i thought if there is some fast way to stretch them.. I don't mind pain, but i don't think i have the will to catch my feet everyday for months.
Ty for the answer :-)
