Number one question! How old are you and at what age did you start doing splits and the such (like exercizing, gymnastics, general sports)?
If you started before puberty, you're likely to be much better at this stuff. If you started at high school age, you still have a chance. If you started at college age, you're going to need to work extra hard. If you started after 30, then expect to be working at it for the rest of your life.
I started ballet movements when I was little, from books, but didn't get into classes until high school. I took a minimum of two or three classes a week for many years. But I was in a riding accident where I bruised my spinal cord, and was off from ballet for about five years. I've never been able to get back into the shape I once had. So you need to work daily to continue this stuff.
Flexibility is strange. I have this friend who was taking 7+ classes a week until he injured his knee. He started gymnastics at a very young age. Although he's been out of ballet for 2+ years now, he's been working out at the gym (Weights, not splits), and, DAMNIT!, he's still three times more flexible than me! I still have better arms than him!
So the answer, from my viewpoint, is two-fold: activity at an early age, and, continued work.
BUT!!!! No matter what age you start at, the joy of ballet is participating in the dance!!!
I hope this helps!
balletboy
>alright, thanks for the direct and easy answers from everyone, i have another question now, this one's about flexibility-- how long did it take you guys to get the splits and other things, like really good extensions, etc. and what did you have to do to get them? [/i]