Straddle Hollow Body Hold - unable to progress

Morning all!

I've been doing the exercises in Foundation One for over a year now already, and have been stuck on the Straddle Hollow Body Hold for ages (literally half a year or more). I just cannot progress past 4x 48 seconds... has anyone else encountered such long and stubborn roadblocks? 

Thanks!

Hi Johannes, a stall point in this phase sometime occurs. from my experience a good release of the psoas and upper/middle/lower traps decrease the amount of effort necessary to hold the position.

Thank you Alessandro!

How would you suggest to do this release? I don't feel like my traps are the limiting factor (but of course I could be wrong!). Psoas and hip flexors could certainly be, although it always feels like it's actually the abs that are on fire (and hence the weak link)...

Usually when I say traps people think about neck muscles first but traps move for the upper spine to the middle/lower spine as you can see there

and this means that tight traps reduce the amount of spine bending ability.

Johannes:

I’ve been on Manna PE2 (straddle up and Jefferson Curls) for almost 3 years.  Only managed to touch the ground on straddle ups about 3 weeks ago. I probably have about 6 more months before I have necessary range of motion on Jefferson curls.

I couldn’t talk my way out of consequences that I’d behaved my way into (30+ years of never stretching, even though I was a competitive athlete through and after college), so I had to sit down and eat a big, big plateful of humble pie for the last 3 years. Front split and middle split series very helpful in my journey. 

11 hours ago, Craig Copeland said:

Johannes:

I’ve been on Manna PE2 (straddle up and Jefferson Curls) for almost 3 years.  Only managed to touch the ground on straddle ups about 3 weeks ago. I probably have about 6 more months before I have necessary range of motion on Jefferson curls.

I couldn’t talk my way out of consequences that I’d behaved my way into (30+ years of never stretching, even though I was a competitive athlete through and after college), so I had to sit down and eat a big, big plateful of humble pie for the last 3 years. Front split and middle split series very helpful in my journey. 

I m one year already with mn pe1, fl pe1 and spl pe1 and it will take me some time more, specially stiff leg windmills and swivel hips. I m sure mn pe2 will take me very very long! So by reading your post i don t feel alone on this. I really like you don t get discouraged and kept working! 

The thoracic stretch program is great for those traps, and the other two stretch programs can hit the hammies/hips/etc really well.

I swear I don't get kickbacks. I just love the stretching programs. Maybe I should get a referral bonus! :-)

Thank you Alessandro and everyone!

I'll try to do more mobility and foam rolling work on the upper back then!

I definitely agree with Alex. On some days with tight upper body from doing all the handstands, it is harder to be able to get a decent height doing hollow body hold. Releasing the tight muscles along with applying hot and cold compress will surely help and yes, never neglect your mobility.