How to Fake a Split: The “Illusion” Split
How to Fake a Split: The “Illusion” Split
Whether you are oh-so-close to flat splits, or still quite a ways away from the floor - anyone can fake a split if you do it at the right angle! And “faking” your split is easier and more comfortable than your regular split, so it’s fun to learn how to do.
Traditional Split vs. Illusion Split (aka “Fake” Split)
The beauty of the “illusion split” is that it’s virtually the opposite of The Proper Square Split:
“Traditional” Square Split
Hip square
Pelvis neutral
Torso lifted
Low back arch minimized
Deep hip flexor stretch
Audience sees OUTSIDE of front leg
“Fake” Split
Hips open (far from square!)
Anterior (forward) pelvic tilt
Torso leaning forwards
Low back arch encouraged
Minimal hip flexor stretch
Audience sees UNDERSIDE of front leg
How to Do an Illusion Split
Start kneeling as if you were about to slide out into a split, with your “audience side” leg as the front leg (for this split it’s important to be splitting with our butt to the audience, not the crotch)
Instead of sliding the front leg straight forwards, open that leg out to a diagonal and start to slide it out. When you can’t slide the leg out any more, lean your pubic bone (crotch) toward the floor. Your back leg thigh should be on the floor, and your front leg’s inner thigh, inner calf, and inner foot (point those toes!) should be on the floor. The “audience” should be seeing your butt and the underside of your front leg. You can choose whether to keep your torso totally lifted (like a high cobra), lower onto your forearms (like a low cobra), or relax your torso completely on the ground. Typically I prefer to support myself on my forearms
That’s it - that’s your illusion split!
It make take some trial and error to find the perfect “angle” to slide your legs out to maximize the perceived splittiness of the illusion - so it can be helpful to practice in front of a mirror, or film yourself.
Illusion Split Variations
Once you’ve figured out the proper angle for maximum butt-to-audience to maximize the appearance of splittiness, you can play with some variations on the shape to see what you like best:
Torso height: laying on the ground, propped up on your elbows, totally lifted on straight arms
Leg styling: bending the front knee, bending the back knee, grabbing the back ankle (and possibly even lifting the back knee off the floor)
Bonus butt stuff: because we can be more relaxed in our fake split, if you’re someone who wants to play with some butt jiggle, you can basically lightly bounce your hips up and down away from the floor to make your butt look extra fabulous
