I wish I could tell you what I thought of the program myself. I asked to review it a while back but never heard anything. I suppose like most fitness or health programs whether or not something works would depend largely on how closely or accurately the person is following the program. Any at-home program relies on these factors. Do the same program in-person with a professional, and the results I’m sure improve. I can tell you that what I’ve seen of Lisa’s content is typically reliable but in my understanding much of this program deals with the mental obstacles to flexibility (as well as physical) which may make for quite varied experiences. Also, remember “fast” is a relative term.

As for stretching being good or bad, I’d say it’s all in how it’s done… so perhaps better vs. worse is a more accurate way to describe stretching methods. We still don’t know all there is to know about muscles and our control over them and information has a way of trickling down from researchers to practitioners, etc. From what I’ve read and experienced the guidance above remains consistent with the current physiological theories (though I’m certainly not in the science/research field myself). Our columnist Lauren Warnecke has a masters in kinesiology and has more to say on stretching in Is It Okay To Stretch Before Class? I recommend this as additional reading!

Thanks for your question Ingrid!

Thanks for stopping by. Two of the links above: How to Improve Your Flexibility Safely Into the Splits and Working Toward the Splits both offer some specific exercises that address the various muscle groups involved in splits.

Also, there’s the just do it method. In other words to stretch for splits you just do a split as best you can and gently, gradually, and with awareness get lower or deeper into the stretch. If you are not able to sit at all in a split, try deep lunges from standing or kneeling. Also look for any exercises that stretch the iliopsoas, the front of the hip, the hamstrings, and the lower back. I’m not sure where you are flexibility-wise – this makes a difference for which kinds of exercises will help. If flexibility in general is an issue for you, working flexibility all over may also help with splits. In this case you might try yoga (in addition to whatever dance you are doing).

Good luck!