do a split

I’m generally not flexible, but I’ve begun to do some flexibility exercises. One of them is doing the split. I’ve actually come up with a rather inventive (in terms of making do with scarce resources) solution of how to measure my progress. I’ve made a pile of books and put on top of it a small cushion. Now, every time I do a split, I do it so that I “sit” on top of the pile. Since my “split” isn’t a split yet, but rather more something like spreading legs (and even when put thus it sounds too wide), this alleviates stress on my knees, AND makes it possible to measure my progress. Once I can easily “sit” on a pile (when it becomes more or less comfortable), I simply remove one book off the top and try to “sit” on the so reduced pile. I’ve already removed two books since the time I started the practice, both pretty thick (all are pretty thick), about 1300 pages total, plus hard covers on both books, and now I’m getting ready to remove yet another. To be honest, though, there were a total of 10 books on the pile, plus the cushion. But hey, that means that I’m about 20% done. :) (I know, I know, the progress becomes slower as I get lower. Don’t spoil my enthusiasm!)

I’m never going to be able to do this. (A little more of this complain phase and I’m gonna enter the phase of spite when I’ll do anything just to prove those who say I can’t do it that they’re wrong. In this case, those who say I can’t do it are:

[List begin]
Me.

The progress is so slow! But, while I haven’t really gone very far as far as making a split goes, I’ve started feeling more flexible overall. For example, I find it much easier to climb a horse now than I did two weeks ago. Earlier, lifting my foot up high was just frustrating.

For some reason I see making a split as being an epitome of flexibility. I tried this a very long time ago and almost did it, but then I just quit. Now I’m so unflexible I feel stiff at times. :(