Q&A for How to Put Your Legs over Your Head

It can cause injury if your body isn’t prepared for it. This move requires a lot of flexibility in your hips, hamstrings, and lower back. If you push too hard or skip proper warm-ups, you risk straining muscles, overstretching ligaments, or even injuring your spine. You can prevent injury by warming up your body with light and dynamic stretches or yoga poses that target flexibility. Focus on gradual stretches and don’t force your leg into this position. Work on improving your flexibility first with consistent stretching, and always listen to your body. If you feel pain, stop immediately. You should also consider working with a professional or a trainer if you're new to this so that they can guide you safely.

To do this trick, you must first acquire flexibility and agility. After you start to get more flexible, you can start kicking your leg up in the air. Make sure both of your legs are straight, the standing one and the one in the air. Point your foot and kick as high as you can. Make sure to not exceed your comfort zone, and be sure not to injure yourself. This skill takes some time, so don't worry if you don't get it right away. You can also take progress pictures to monitor your progress. Take your time learning, and be proud of yourself for where you have come. Also, a very good tip is to practise once on your good side, and twice on your bad side, to attempt to even them out.

You're not too old, you just have to be patient. It takes time to become flexible. Keep practicing regularly and you'll get there. Also, try stretching right after a hot shower or bath, when your muscles are warm, they're easier to stretch.

It depends on your flexibility at the start. If you do regular hip opening and hamstring stretches you should be able to do it within a few months or so, but it does depend on how flexible you are at the start. In personal experience it took me about a month of determined stretching. However, remember not to overstretch if it is painful.

Ballet requires a large range of motion for extensions and other movements, so yes this will help with ballet.

General stretching is key, it is something that you will achieve over a long period, not short, so you must persevere!

Yes, this should be a little easier for you if you can do splits.

Sure, if you do this regularly and practice consistently.

As stated in this article, it is very important to stretch. Once you feel as though your are flexible enough, slowly work your way up to putting your legs over your head.

Try gradually putting your leg up while still being balanced.

No. All you have to do is modify the stretch. For example, try and grab your foot from behind you after putting your foot behind your head.

Yes, it will. Dance will probably make you more flexible. You should also check out the article on How to Do a Split if you haven't already, there are some good tips there.