I agree with those who suggest working on your splits. That is something just about anyone can eventually do with proper and consistent stretching, since it's just about stretching the muscles and does not involve your bones/joints. The stretches that got me my forward splits (on both sides) in my 40's were these:
Seated hamstring stretch: http://blog.hhchiro.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/stretch-hamstring.jpg Try to touch your belly to your upper thigh so you aren't rounding your back; don't try to touch your head to your knee. Also, be sure to keep your non-stretching leg in the position shown--bent, with bottom of foot against the inner thigh of the stretching leg. Hold for at least 30 seconds each time (use a stopwatch). When you can hold your torso flat down on your thigh for 30 seconds so your face is below your knee, you have enough hamstring flexibility to do a split with that leg in front. Always stretch your calves before doing this stretch.
Most of the time I can still do this. Though I have not timed it, yet, also I'm not 40, next year I'm supposed to be 60
BUT a healthy-dose of Re-direct is in Order here, so let's just keep telling ourselves we are, Well,
whatever age you wanna be Personally, I tell my body daily: Hey gorgeous
23-year young kid, what shall we practice today, lol
ok, please tell me: How do we stretch our calves?
Hip flexor stretch: http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/12981/33_2007/lunge.jpg Also hold for at least 30 seconds. When you can get your thighs in at least a straight line (preferably a little beyond that) and hold for 30 seconds, you have enough hip flexor flexibility for a split with that leg in back. I prefer to do this stretch as a "half split" on a low bench with the back leg straight back on the bench and the front leg bent at a 90 degree angle with the foot on the floor. This is the muscle that will need to stretch even more if you want to do a split with a lean back.
ok, this Lunging is also easy for me. - is the Advantage to doing it on a "low-bench", as opposed to doing it on the floor, or ice for that matter, the fact that the back-leg would then stretch further? - as into a Biellmann?? I am asking, as the
Biellmann is one of my Skating-goals; and off-ice, presently in my skates I can hold my free-blade up to about Shoulder-height, on most days. On the ice, as yet a beginner-Skater, it's a whole other kettle of fish. - I've managed a few times holding my blade about 10-20 feet (very low), not daring to breathe, LOL