Flexibility Training

[Fraze]

not really sure where this should go, but i guess flexibility is part of conditioning one's self for training.

I'm getting back into a semblance of flexibility ready for training, and have been using a set of exercises by Thomas Kurtz ( i have his book and DVD on Stretching Scientifically).

What kind of exercises do you use to maintain and/or increase your flexibility?

[Asmo]

I personally don't do anything else then stretch the muscles I have been training. Not working on flexibility beyond what is required for Hung Kuen.

I heard some people say before that all the flexibility you need is obtained from practicing the forms. But that sounds a bit the other side of the spectrum for me. After stance training I (dynamic, not static) stretch the leg muscles. After strength training for the arms I stretch the arm/shoulder muscles, etc.

[PM]

general minimalistic yau gung programme:

- work on strength - mobility - flexibility
- learn to squat properly (saam bun lok dei), without and with weight - you will be surprised how it helps your knees, hips, lower back and abs, and of course your stances
- stretch you hamstrings and hip flexors - PNF/contract-relax methods work best

the rest depends on your Sifu's experience: some people need to stretch this, some that, some do not need to stretch at all, for some stretching is a dangerous thing to be avoided

Thomas Kurz is fine, but it is imho not what we need for Hung Kyun

[laukarfei]

i think any martial artist should stretch as much as the time will allow, im lucky that im pretty flexible naturally, although i should stretch more, lately ive been getting more and more into joint strength/mobility

but i dont think stretching should be style specific, cause if espcially your doing fight training, if your working hard anyway, your whole body will be worked over and so stretching for flexibility imo is one of the most important things but it also helps remove scar tissue and youll recover faster so you can do more

[Bamboo]

[PM]

[Bamboo]

Hi PM,

Interesting...we're always looking for ways to improve our methodology. Can you be more specific with the types of warmup/stretching you do during the 5 minutes? Thanks.

[PM]

[Asmo]

[PM]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbfZYd7BAts[/youtube]

4 warm-up exercises are in the beginning of the video.

(note: in the stretching part, hip flexor stretch is missing)

[Bamboo]

Oh, great, thanks for the visual, PM...I wanted to ask, but didn't want to look too greedy

Definitely have to put some thought in this...maybe go half-way and see how a 15 minute warmup works out.

[Daifong]

Hmm, let's see:

Bill "Superfoot" Wallace is a retired world kickboxing champion, with a Master's in Kinesiology, 180 degree-plus splits, and artificial hip sockets. Chuck Norris, hip replacement surgery. Steve "Nasty" Anderson, same thing...

These are just a few of the more high-profile examples of what can happen when traditional (aka "time proven") approaches to flexibility are junked in preference of some "modern innovation" (aka "exercise fad")...

The clip that PM posted demonstrates safe, effective gains, the traditional way!



Best,

Michael

[Xiaobian]

What kind of "modern innovations" are these that damage hips?

[laukarfei]

right, the same could be said about any high level athelete who arent doing anything wrong they are just pushing themselves harder then most people and on a regular basis.

i dont know what daifong or whoever is talkin about doing to much stretching etc i guess to much of anything is bad i could see how to much kicking could be bad on the joints just like to much bag work etc will eventually have effect on the joints but thats later in life and who cares anyone everyone gets old

[Daifong]

Modern Innovations:

How about books, video, DVD's, instead of being trained in the method of somebody who's grandfather and great-grandfather were expert in the material being taught?

Ok, Jhoon Rhee was a high-kicker too, but without those fancy ("aesthetically pleasing") 180 lockout split kicks, so now his hips are fine!

Today, most sports and the methods designed to max people in them are "modern innovations", of themselves...

Of course, not everybody's body is designed to do everything, the same way, and especially after a certain age. There you're right, laukarfei, if you want to excel in sports, you are only young once, so with that...

Caveat Emptor!



Best,

Michael