In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: A halfpipe is basically a U shaped structure containing a deck, entry ramp, flat, lip, verticals and transitions. It is important to learn these terms so because they will be referred to when learning how to ride the halfpipe. The deck is the horizontal platform at the top and edges of the halfpipe. The entry ramp is a sloped area from where you will start riding the halfpipe at the very top. The flat is the center flat area of the halfpipe. The lip is the top edge portion of the wall of the halfpipe. The verticals are the areas right below the lip. They are straight up and down on the sides of the halfpipe. The transitions are the area between the flat and the verticals where the flat begins to slope upwards. The best snowboard for use on the halfpipe will have a couple key characteristics that are different from snowboard for freestyle. Both the snowboard and snowboard boots for the halfpipe should be a bit stiffer than typical freestyle boards. The tail should also be particularly stiff to create a bigger pop off the rim. Snowboard boots should be stiffer to provide extra power and protection in the halfpipe. Set up your bindings so they are a few centimeters back from where they usually are so that you have more nose than tail. This will help you get more power from your back foot when attempting jumps. Lean your bindings forward by angling your ankle cups forward slightly. This will keep your knees bent and help you to better hold and edge while in the halfpipe. Wax your board so you land your tricks cleaner. There are some terms to learn with regards to snowboarding in the halfpipe. These include backside spin, frontside spin, frontside wall, backside wall, switch and grab. A backside spin is when a snowboarder turns their back into a spin first. His shoulders will close so that his/her backside is the first side of his/her body going forward off the jump in the first 90 degrees of rotation. A frontside spin is when a snowboarder turns their chest into the spin first. In a frontside spin the snowboarder will open up their shoulders so that the frontside is the fist side of their body going forward off the jump in the first 90 degrees of rotation. The frontside and backside wall will depend on which way the rider is going up a wall. When a snowboarder goes up a wall on their toe side then the wall they are currently ascending is the frontside wall. The backside wall will be the one that the rider goes up while on their heel side (backside). Switch refers to riding backwards from the direction a snowboarder typically rides. This is also called fakie or switchfoot. For example, if a snowboarder usually rides with their left foot forward then riding switch will mean that their right foot is forward. A grab is when a snowboarder grabs their board while in the air. A "falling leaf" involves going back and forth like a pendulum while going down a hill. You should be able to do this on both your heel side and toe side. As an intermediate snowboarder, you should have already learned to do this. If you are a beginning snowboarder you should practice this before attempting the halfpipe. You must be able to carve properly in order to try the halfpipe. Beginner snowboarders will make skidded turns that make a wide path through the snow. These turns where the tail is being dragged significantly slow down the snowboarder. Carving will cut a clear path from front to back without this lateral slide, making the rider faster and more powerful. Carving a turn will create a "C" in the snow. Practice carving by imagining you are on very narrow runs and cannot make wide turns. Halfpipes are very narrow so being able to cope with this narrowness will help you feel more comfortable. You should be able to ride comfortably both with your regular foot in front as well as switchfoot, or with your other foot in front. Therefore, if you normally ride with your left foot in front, make sure you can also snowboard and keep your balance with your right foot in front. In the halfpipe you will be changing your front foot from time to time so it is important to be able to snowboard both directions. Ollies are basically jumps while on the flat or slight hill. These will teach you how to gain power for jumps in the halfpipe as well as help with maintaining balance while landing. Ollies should be performed when you are on the flat of your board rather than an edge so that you do not fall. To do an ollie you should first lean backwards while lifting up your front foot. After your front side is slightly in the air you will push off when your back foot. This will pop you into the air by releasing the flex of the board that you created while lifting your front foot. Pull up your back foot to make the board level once again. Your knees should be pulled up towards your chest. Bend your knees while landing to cushion the fall. You should land with your front foot first and your weight slightly forward. Wear a helmet while learning how to use the halfpipe. The halfpipe can be quite difficult to learn and you will fall many times while practicing. Keep yourself safe by wearing a helmet. You can also find additional body armor if you are particularly worried about injuring yourself. Use your judgment with regard to protecting your health and body. There are certain considerations regarding etiquette in the halfpipe. You should wait your turn and never cut off another snowboarder who is riding through the halfpipe. Be nice to other people and don't tease others who may be struggling.
Summary: Understand the parts of a halfpipe. Get the right snowboard. Learn some common terms. Know how to do a "falling leaf". Practice carving your turns. Be able to ride switchfoot. Learn to do an ollie. Protect yourself. Learn the rules.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Lay on your back with your legs facing the wall and your heels resting on the wall. Bend your knees and place your legs against the wall. At the same time, use your arms to move as close as possible toward the wall. Try to get your butt as close to the wall as possible. If you experience any discomfort in your lower back, move your body away from the wall. You can place a pillow or folded up blanket beneath your lower back for extra support. If your neck feels strained, place a rolled up towel underneath your neck. Slide your legs down the wall in the opposite direction slowly until they can go no further. Breathe as you lower your legs. Press very lightly on your legs with your hands to get a deeper stretch. However, do not press to the point where you feel pain. You may be able to spread your legs further apart by creating tension and then relaxing your legs. To create tension, pull your legs away from the wall and lift your head and chest. Relax, create tension, and then relax again. Now press lightly on your legs to see if you can widen your split. Hold your stretch for a few seconds at first. Over time, gradually work your way up to 20-30 seconds. Once the time is up, use your hands to gently bring your legs back together and rest them against the wall. Repeat this 2-3 times. Remember to breathe as you hold your split. As you continue to practice, try to increase the amount of time you hold your split. If you are sore the next day, you may have pushed your body too much. Do not practice your splits anymore until the soreness is gone.
Summary:
Position your body. Open your legs slowly. Hold your split.