Let’s Do This Splits!

January 5th, 2015 - filed under: Furthermore » Inspiration

Oh my, I’ve got a LONG way to go . . .

Happy Monday! Just checking in real quick to let you know that my New Year’s Resolution is off and running. Despite an old back injury that’s rearing its ugly head, I’ve been splits-ing every day of two-thousand-and-fifteen. In fact, I’m sitting in a hip stretching position as I write this post right now!

I’m also thrilled to share that a few Bonzai readers will be joining in the year-to-the-splits adventure. Yay! Just like the ol’ Monday Monthly Mission days. So welcome along, and thanks for joining in the fun. ♥

On top of that, I’ve even managed to entice some of my real-life friends, as well as my dad’s best friend and business partner. Huzzah! So if you, like us, have always wanted to be able to do the splits but never could – it’s not too late to hop on board! (And take daily pics if you want, too)

Here are my first few dailies. I actually feel like I’m already making progress:

~~~

Today is my first day back at school for the winter quarter, I’m already feeling busy busy and a little bit behind. Oi.

I hope your Monday is a good one, and if it’s your first day back after the holidays (or even if it isn’t), I hope you’re feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and ready to take 2015 by storm. BONZAI!

♥ ♥ ♥

http://www.sweetandsavoring.com/ Christy Milford

I love this initiative and how you’re documenting it for us! I think I see your progress, too :) Hope your first day back is going well!
Deirdre

I’m so onboard!
jenn

awesome!
Bel

Ok wow, you’ve already made a heap of progress!!!
erosan

gah. can’t remember my disqus login info. but dropped by to say happy new year Sayward!

I’m also doing a little health and fitness challenge for this year on nerdfitness.com, so best of lucks to you.

(I am still waiting for an email from you with confirmation that you are visiting Mérida, btw) :D
Sarah

Hey wait, really? Can you sit in a hip opening posture while in an office chair, without looking weird???? What are you doing? More info please, if you have it! I would love to do this, bc it would really help my yoga practice to have open-er hips and groins!
http://taranoland.com Tara Noland

Seconded!
Bianca

Yay for splits! It looks like you’re making progress already. I might try it!!! Would be great for opening up my tight running hips/thighs.
Ann

I think this is the first time I’m commenting… So, HUGE THANKS for the inspiration for animal and environmental friendly living, this blog have given me strength to keep on trying, do better and many superb recipes!

I wanted to give you tip for the splits that has helped me with my dance training, lay on your back and get as close to a wall with your butt as you can, then stretch up your legs against the wall (so that you are now “sitting” on the wall) and let them fall open for the splits. As this is quite a comfortable position you can relax better and stay for longer, maybe read a book?, and the stretch will go much deeper. For that reason, be careful! It is easy to overdo it, after 15min or so the stretch will also affect the tendons, which are otherwise hard to stretch, but you want to walk the next day also so starting slowly is recommended!

Thanks again! Greetings from freezing Finland!
Sonja

great challenge! I’m in! It would be great if you could share some hip opening postures etc. I already see a progress in those pics! Hope your first day back at school was good.
http://angieeatspeace.com/ Angie

This is such a fun goal!
Best of luck with your new quarter <3
Rachel in Veganland

Those pictures are just too adorable! And kudos to you for getting such a quick start on your intention for this year! Can’t wait to see where the splits take you!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thanks Christy! I’ve tried 365 photo projects before but they’ve never stuck. I’m really hoping the theme of this one will carry me through! Glad you’re enjoying the process. =)
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Yeah!! Stretchy-stretchy! ;-)
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thanks lady!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thanks Bel, I think so too! =D
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Erosan! That is SO FREAKING WEIRD that you commented on this post, because literally last night when I was writing it, I was thinking about you and wondering whatever happened to you and what you were up to and if you ever came ’round these parts anymore. And look! There you are.

I still want to visit Merida SO badly, my friend. You know I’ve been dreaming of the Yucatán for years and years, but life keeps getting in the way! Some day I will get myself down there, and there is no doubt I will be knocking on your door. =)

So great to hear from you, and good luck with your fitness challenge this year! Cheers – and hey, say hi more often!! ♥
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Office chair, pshaw, you give me way too much credit girl. I wrote this post splayed out on Jeremy’s living room floor, with my laptop perched on his coffee table. ;-D

But that is a good question, actually. I wonder if there’s a way to do hip opening stretches in an office chair? Hmmm . . .
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Sorry lady, I’m not that fancy. See above ;-)
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Ooh you should join Bianca! Than would be awesome, we could do a little splits-y blog hop!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Aww, thank you Ann, both for the very kind words and also for the great tips! That actually sounds AWESOME, letting gravity sort of aid in the stretch and also being able to totally relax my back while I do it (I have some back issues which are making this tricky). I can just see myself up against the wall, relaxing and reading my book. Sounds awesome!

Thanks again, and much love all the way to freezing Finland!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Yay, you’re in! I’m still learning on the hip-opening stuff, but today I did the dishes with one of my legs propped up on the counter, alternating legs and leaning forward to enhance the stretch, That was pretty fun!

Did you see Ann’s comment above? Really great tips there. But mostly I’ve just been sitting on my butt with my legs spread as wide apart as they’ll go, and then leaning forward as much as I can. Apparently this is a better way of easing into the splits – basically sitting rolling forward into them over time, as opposed to standing up and trying to push down into them over time (but the standing makes for better pics). My brother, who trains for Aikido, says that when you do the sitting-rolling-forward splits exercise like this, it’s important to keep your toes flexed and pointed up at the ceiling. This will keep your knees in the right position so you don’t hurt yourself.

Hope that helps! And so glad that you can join us!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thanks Angie, I kind of feel like I’m drowning already, haha. Such is grad school I guess!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thanks Rachel, I’m very curious to see if I’ll be able to make it all the way. I guess we shall see!
Kristin Chambers

Love it! Finally a FUN resolution! I might just have to join this challenge. My old cheerleader flexibility is loooooooong gone but it would be interesting to try to get it back
http://eerosa.com erosan

Yes! I’ve been crazy busy with life and stuff, but you won’t get rid of me easily. I know I’m not around here very much nowdays, but that does not mean I no longer remember or care about friends ;)

Its mostly that I’ve just opened the second “restaurant” since partnering with an ex-coworker. It is not something I’d be able to treat you to (hamburgers), but take my word for it, they are good ;) we use good, all fresh ingredients.

We’ve even got some people interested in investing to open a third location.

You know you (and your family, of course) are welcome in my house whenever you feel like dropping by. I’d love to get some cooking classes from you too!

And Damian is old enough to play with Waits I think ^_^

I loved reading the wine business epic origin-story, I wish you the best of lucks on that too! I love that you are doing this good, I trully am. (wait, was I supposed to wait till Fridays for the love-list? can’t remember anymore!)
uncrueleats

Hi! I’ve been following you for a long time now! I just want to say I love reading your blog and think you are awesome! Your son is such a cutie, too! Funny that I just posted on my blog how I never make New Year’s Resolutions, but I should totally try this one. :)
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Hello! Thanks so much for following along, and for saying hi! And yes, you should totally join in our Splitzy new Year. It’s the best! ♥
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

You should try it Kristin! I’m actually shocked at how far I’ve come in just a week. I bet you’ll get your flexibility back quicker than you think. ;-)
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

It makes me so happy to hear that you’re doing well and have been successful Erosan. Seriously couldn’t happen to a more deserving person. And Damian! What is he, 3? Oh man. Waits would LOVE to play with him (he loves younger kids, especially now that he’s the “big” kid at his preschool).

Some day we will cook together (I know there’s a lot I could learn from you too, so we can trade those classes) in your kitchen in Merida. It will be amazing! ♥ ♥ ♥
http://eerosa.com erosan

Damian just turned 4… There is a park a block away from my house, so there’s enough space for them to run ;)
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

No way! My head just exploded. But I guess that makes sense – Waits is about to be 5. Holy moly …

(also, we have been chatting online for a LONG time)
Morgan (no longer in Japan)

I have followed your blog sporadically for a few years… God, five now I think! I’ve commented a couple times throughout, and I’d like to say how much I enjoy reading your posts and this new challenge is great. Maybe I’ll start my year-to-the-splits challenge with my birthday in Feb. Goal: Do the full splits by my 32nd birthday! :)
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thank you so much Morgan, I remember you from your old comments (you always identified as “in Japan” right?)

I hope you do join us for the splits! It’s so fun and really neat to watch the progress. Hope you jump on board – and Happy impending Birthday!!

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