Flexibility exercises?

[ogre237]

Hi all,

I currently have absolutely shocking flexibility (would have a hard time kicking a hobbit in the head :D ) so am in search of some exercises that will help me if anyone has any suggestions on where to look or exercise to do your help would be appreciated.

[Saz]

Hi orge,

What style do you do? Practicing the stretches you do before the class daily is a good way to increase flexibility. If you want good kicks, stretch the legs as you do in class and try to hold the stretches for as long as possible without hurting yourself. Be careful not to overdo it, as it won't make you more flexible, it will just set you back more.

Another good exersize to try is this. Get some kind of bag (handbag, plastic bag etc) and put a light weight in it, say half a pound to a pound. Hang it off your ankle, lie down and raise your leg to about 45 degrees, then back down again. Do it about 10 times for each leg. If its too hard with the weight (and it can be) just raise the leg minus the weight. This improves the muscles around the knee, which are important for kicking.

I found this site on stretches (http://www.rathdownkenpo.com/stretching3.asp) too

hope this helps a bit :)

[ogre237]

thanks K_G

I haven't dedecated my self to one style just yet i am still in the process of checking all the schools out in my area. I have been through a few and have some contenders but want to get a feel for some more before i deceide.

thanks for the advise have been doing the exercise that i have picked up from classes but they seem to be a bit more of warm up type exercises than stretching. the site has been helpfull thanks alot.


PS it is ogre not orge people might get the wrong idea :D :D :D

[Darzeka]

Spend about 30 mins to an hour stretching each day (probably during the morning) stretch everything three times, holding each stretch for 20-30 secs. After a while you should be able to stretch further without pain.

Also make sure you are doing the stretch correctly, even if it makes the stretch really small. It will be better working on it using the stretch properly rather than getting a long stretch that isn't on correctly.

[Cain]

For the kicks I practise active flexibility a lot, it's where u *hold* ur kick as high as u can, remember to chamber before.

In my experience active flexibility can be increased greatly if u perform normal passive stretching b'fore, also it will enable u to kick high without warm up.

If u r doing this for the first time then u would probably be sore in ur buttocks the next day after holing side kicks ;)

|Cain|

[YODA]

Everything you need is here...

Stretching FAQ (http://ncf.davintech.ca/freeport/sigs/sports/martial-arts/faq/menu)

[Saz]

Oops.... sorry ogre. I did check to see if I got it right... guess not, lol.

Yoda, where'd you find all this good stuff! :)

[Cain]

As I remember correctly in another thread before -

The YODA archives are bottomless

:D

|Cain|

[YODA]

Originally posted by cain_charlie
As I remember correctly in another thread before -

The YODA archives are bottomless

:D

|Cain|



Indeed :D

[ogre237]

Thanks everyone for all your help now to feel the discomfort :)