I'm hoping that someone here can help me out. I have recently begun karate (midori yama budokai - 5 months) and am really enjoying it. I am now borderline obsessed with improving my kicks. to that end, I have read and re-read most of the topics on flexibility, stretching, and strength training on here. Finally this week I began going through Van Zandt's isometric progression. Unfortunately, I am finding that I am so worried about sliding too far out and tearing something that I'm preventing myself from stretching out as far as I probably could. I'm using a chair to keep my balance/support and I realized today that I am literally holding myself up to keep myself from stretching out any further. It is, for all intents and purposes, a psychological block. Has anyone else been there? Any tricks for helping yourself relax and move forward?
I've never had this problem, but I have a suggestion. When you're practicing, play some very mellow music in the background (like classical Chinese, bamboo flute, etc-whatever allows you to clear your mind) and really focus on your breathing. I've found that relaxing helps with stretching and internal arts. Hope this helps!
Try stretching your legs out 1/2 way, then squeeze them as hard as you can, like you want to bring them together. Hold that for about 30 sec. Spread your legs out just a tad more and repeat. Do that till you can't doing it anymore. You will also build strength in your legs this way too, that will inprove your kicks. Give it a try!!!
Try door frame stretching. Make sure your body is warm first. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaCcGmpI3v4"]Taekwondo Bar / Door Frame Stretching (taekwonwoo) - YouTube[/ame]
Thank you for the suggestions! For now, I'm not even flexible enough to FIT in the doorway like that. However, a wall may serve. I will say this, even with what little I have manage to do I have seen marked improvement in my flexibility already. Still have SO FAR to go, but I'm getting there!
