The illusive side splits. Wanted by all, had by few. There was a time… many, many years ago, that I could perform the side splits, along with the front splits. But alas, with age and many years without martial arts, I “lost” the ability. I am now on a quest to regain that split.
Science and knowledge have come a long way since I was a kid when you forced your way into a stretch. Luckily now, with the incredible amount of free knowledge on the internet, you can find help. Below are what I feel are the best instruction for the side split. Utilizing PIR (Post-Isometric- Relaxation), Isometric, and Loaded stretching.
These routines demonstrated by Tom Merrick are based on the work of the incredible Emmet Louis.