Hello beautiful,

Dance and yoga classes have been hot and sweaty recently, it must be summer! It is a great season for strength and mobility gains, and to build a consistent stretching habit to support your athletic and artistic goals and feel good.

I still vividly remember the moment I first got my 2nd/middle split and could "roll through!" Though not unusually stiff, I am also not naturally extremely flexible in all ways. Hypermobile in some joints and movements, I've had to work for others with dedication.

At that young age, it felt like an eternity of practicing, discomfort, repetition that led up to it, but wow, that feeling of elation and freedom that came when I finally attained my goal!

As a teaching artist and adult mover now, I experience different seasons in my own mobility depending on current demands, stress and injury, energy and wellness. Sometimes I “have” my splits, right, left, and center. Other times not.

For myself, I notice when I keep a regular maintenance mobility routine (a mix of stretching, strengthening, physical therapy, yoga), I feel and perform much better. Sometimes it may seem a far-off dream or even impossible to achieve “full” splits, but with a regular judicious practice you will see results soon!

But how does one develop such a training ritual to see improved movement and enjoyment of life?

​Read the 5 Steps to Soar into the Splits this Summer - Season of Stretching article here​

My other creations, recommendations, and questions for you are:

Listening:

• Wildlight's "Honey" is my current music to move to

Viewing:

• ​How 'White Lotus" reinvented the theme song for season 2 from Variety, I am obsessed with all the music
• ​Cold Cream Girls were onto something from Laura Jane Atelier has me thinking about skincare, critique, and nostalgia

Reading:

• My prior Go Bananas for the Splits article has further background information about stretching theory and practice, mythology and methodology, whereas this week's article has nitty-gritty tips and stretches to try
• Started Spells and Strings and Forgotten Things but wasn't feeling it. Maybe I only like witchy fiction in fall and winter? Returned it but placed a hold again for later, borrowed Fun for the Whole Family which is hitting right though I've just begun

Practicing:

• ​Get Your Splits this Season - Part 1 Lunge with Support - Season of Stretching Dance Mobility YouTube Video is the first in the series and features supported lunges we can do from a standing position without getting down on the floor, with a stable bench or ballet ballet barre
• ​Use a Notebook (This Way) to Actually Enjoy Your Summer from Bullet Journal
• ​Port de Bras with a cat like Athletistry (except my cat is too pointy)
• ​Dense Bean Salads like Violet Witchel makes are looking very tasty and convenient, want to meal prep some of these

Practicing Together LIVE / Adult Movement Classes this week:

• In-Studio Adult Beginner Ballet, 6-7:00pm CET Mondays, Tanzschule Tanzraum Nippes, Cologne, Germany creates a strong, body-friendly, and graceful foundation for dance with drop-ins and Eversports access available (German)
• Online Yogalicious Gentle Yoga. 7-8:00pm CET Tuesdays (7-8:00am HI) provides a delicious mindful movement feast which balances strength, balance and coordination for mind, body, and spirit adaptable to all levels and conditions (English) NOTE: in August, Yummy Gentle Yoga will switch to Wednesdays at 7pm/19:00 CEST
• Online Balletlicious Gentle Adaptive Ballet Barre+, 7:30-8:30am CET Fridays (Thursday p.m. HI) consists of mostly barre with a little dancey centre work, building a strong, body-friendly, and graceful foundation for dance at home or anywhere in the world (English)

Inquiring:

• What are you training for?
• Which structures will you adopt to get your splits and/or greater functional flexibility?
• What movement challenges do you face this season?
• Which is your favorite version of a "splits" shape?
• How do you make your movement practices delicious?

Gladly share your response to the questions above or provide other updates by replying to this email or on social media if you are active there.

Thank you for reading, for being, and for dancing with me, in spirit or in fact. Take care of yourself, pay attention, and keep moving mindfully!

Love, Blythe

Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

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