The Importance of Stretching

[Gyakuto104]

Might help to understand what is being stretched, what constrains the range of movement…how to increase it, how to maintain it..

One of the things that is seldom made totally clear in these videos is whether one should lock out the knees or keep them slightly soft. I favour ‘locked out’ for no good reason other than it’s more challenging

 

[windwalker099104]

One of the things that is seldom made totally clear in these videos is whether one should lock out the knees or keep them slightly soft. I favour ‘locked out’ for no good reason other than it’s more challenging

it seems that locking out or not locking out doesn’t fall into what the video discusses as “stretch tolerance “it also mentioned there are many factors involved, but it starts with the minds ability to handle information of range of movement and how other factors may become involved unlocking, what we might call maximum stretch potential.

He does brake it down into active / and passive stretching as needed… and gives away to determine which method is more suitable for a person and how to measure progress. An interesting video showing results using his method.

might be something to try for those interested …

 

[Gyakuto104]

I’ve always thought that if you throw a snappy front kick, you lock your knee out, so it makes sense to stretch to that extent.

 

[Gyakuto104]

The most flexible people that I’ve met are practitioners of yoga. Do they hold stretches or do they use dynamic methods A bit of both, no doubt.

What about gymnasts? How do they achieve their astonishing flexibility?

 

[windwalker099104]

The most flexible people that I’ve met are practitioners of yoga. Do they hold stretches or do they use dynamic methods A bit of both, no doubt.

What about gymnasts? How do they achieve their astonishing flexibility?

Did a bit of gymnastics when I was younger, was able to do a full splits at one time thought CMA training long ago.

No longer able to do it for a long time….took a lot of effort to maintain it…when I could.


In China we did light stretches, it was mainly through the practice itself that helped release the body….although I don’t have the same range of movement now as when I was younger, my body feels much more relaxed and easy in. movement

Yoga,,,I had yoga practitioners work in my group yrs back,,,,What I found is that although they had a great range of movement internally, they still felt tense….seems the “song” relaxation they developed is different …..

Ben Lo, a noted taiji teacher when he was alive could do some amazing things…with what felt like very loose, relaxed muscles although I understand he went through a lot of hard, bitter training to achieve it. His classes were very tough on the body…

 

[Gyakuto104]

Did a bit of gymnastics when I was younger, was able to do a full splits at one time thought CMA training long ago.

Box or front splits? I could do front splits but could never achieve box splits despite. training it everyday. Then I studied anatomy and realised why I couldn’t…

Yoga,,,I had yoga practitioners work in my group yrs back,,,,What I found is that although they had a great range of movement internally, they still felt tense….

I suppose they’re holding their poses so that might account for the tension.

seems the “song” relaxation they developed is different …..

‘Song’?

Ben Lo, a noted taiji teacher when he was alive could do some amazing things…with what felt like very loose, relaxed muscles although I understand he went through a lot of hard, bitter training to achieve it. His classes were very tough on the body…

Interesting…

 

[windwalker099104]

Box or front splits? I could do front splits but could never achieve box splits despite. training it everyday. Then I studied anatomy and realised why I couldn’t…

Both

Took a lot of work and time. Looking at the program outlined in the video, many of the same concepts were used—except it wasn't as targeted as he mentioned. We did partner work, which also wasn't based on any particular approach other than attempting to endure as much pain as you could, and trying to force your partner into the position of the stretch we were working on at the time. That wasn't something I was able to maintain, nor felt the need to.

After watching the video, thinking of going back using some of the core concepts he mentioned...The problem, sometimes stretching itself can introduce tension....

Some "Tang Soo Do" ( 당수도 ) practitioners I used to know had some very "bitter" ways of stretching...
One had to be carful about "tearing" things that were supposed to be stretched.

I suppose they’re holding their poses so that might account for the tension.

‘Song’?

Interesting…

The terms song (松) and fang-song (放松) are fundamental concepts in Chinese internal arts like taiji. Fang-song is the physical skill of quieting the nervous system's alarm bells (the stretch reflex) among "other things"
the body can move more freely and efficiently, acting without tension in movement.

In China, we did something similar to what is called wall squats—but without the wall a squat with back plum vertical.

Normal practiced with the back of the head, back and heel touching the wall as one squatted...

I sometimes use that to show people who think something is easy that it is not so easy until they actually try it.some might find this stretch interesting ..


Also called wall squatting although it's done a little differently..facing the wall...
The nose and toes are touching the wall, while doing it...

 

[Gyakuto104]

Both

Took a lot of work and time. Looking at the program outlined in the video, many of the same concepts were used—except it wasn't as targeted as he mentioned. We did partner work, which also wasn't based on any particular approach other than attempting to endure as much pain as you could, and trying to force your partner into the position of the stretch we were working on at the time. That wasn't something I was able to maintain, nor felt the need to.

I used to stretch and train every night with ‘Fame’ on my little black and white TV in the background!

Then I discovered that the depth of the socket for the head of femur, length of the neck of the femur, size and shape of the labrum etc all determine if you will be able to achieve the side splits. If you socket it shallow and the neck of femur short you will likely be able to perform the box splits. If your socket is deep and neck of femur long…it isn’t going to happen.

After watching the video, thinking of going back using some of the core concepts he mentioned...The problem, sometimes stretching itself can introduce tension....

Well, it’s the stretch reflex is responsible for that tension and this can be reduced with techniques like proprioceptive neuromuscular feedback stretching.

The terms song (松) and fang-song (放松) are fundamental concepts in Chinese internal arts like taiji. Fang-song is the physical skill of quieting the nervous system's alarm bells (the stretch reflex) among "other things"
the body can move more freely and efficiently, acting without tension in movement.

Wow…like PNF!

In China, we did something similar to what is called wall squats—but without the wall a squat with back plum vertical.

Ouchy! This type of movement also reduces blood pressure!

 

[Flying Crane]

I’ve always thought that if you throw a snappy front kick, you lock your knee out, so it makes sense to stretch to that extent.

Personally, I always kept a little bit of extension in reserve, meaning I don’t fully extend and definitely don’t lock out. Ive found that saves wear and tear on the knees. Doing a full lock-out on a snap kick can cause a hyper-extension type injury.

 

[Gyakuto104]

Personally, I always kept a little bit of extension in reserve, meaning I don’t fully extend and definitely don’t lock out. Ive found that saves wear and tear on the knees. Doing a full lock-out on a snap kick can cause a hyper-extension type injury.

Snappy kicks are the norm in Japanese martial arts. My knees are just fine

 

[Flying Crane]

Snappy kicks are the norm in Japanese martial arts. My knees are just fine

Oh Ive done my share of snappy kicks and I’m fine too. In most cases it is fine. However, there is a chance of over-extending them and causing an injury, particularly if you are kicking for form in the air and not hitting a heavy bag. I’ve done that too. The knee swells up for a few weeks. So far those injuries have healed and Ive not had lasting effects from them. So I don’t lock them all the way out. One’s mileage may vary.

 

[Prince_Alarming104]

Great for people already flexible. Not so for others.

An easier routine with regressions and progressions:

 

[isshinryuronin]

Snappy kicks are the norm in Japanese martial arts. My knees are just fine

Our seisan kata has 6 front snap kicks; Kusanku kata has 10 (if I'm counting right in my head), two of them jumping. Add to that six kneels (that part isn't too bad but getting back up definitely reminds me I'm old). Even though I'm not overextending, my knees are sore for a couple hours afterwards. I could slow my kicks down, but that goes against my nature. There will be a time when I'll have to succumb to age and compromise my execution of some moves, but not yet - in two weeks I'll only be 75.

 

[Gyakuto104]

I have taken 1500mg of glucosamine for 5-6 years. Maybe that helps…

 

[Wing Woo Gar38]

Both

Took a lot of work and time. Looking at the program outlined in the video, many of the same concepts were used—except it wasn't as targeted as he mentioned. We did partner work, which also wasn't based on any particular approach other than attempting to endure as much pain as you could, and trying to force your partner into the position of the stretch we were working on at the time. That wasn't something I was able to maintain, nor felt the need to.

After watching the video, thinking of going back using some of the core concepts he mentioned...The problem, sometimes stretching itself can introduce tension....

Some "Tang Soo Do" ( 당수도 ) practitioners I used to know had some very "bitter" ways of stretching...
One had to be carful about "tearing" things that were supposed to be stretched.



The terms song (松) and fang-song (放松) are fundamental concepts in Chinese internal arts like taiji. Fang-song is the physical skill of quieting the nervous system's alarm bells (the stretch reflex) among "other things"
the body can move more freely and efficiently, acting without tension in movement.

In China, we did something similar to what is called wall squats—but without the wall a squat with back plum vertical.

Normal practiced with the back of the head, back and heel touching the wall as one squatted...

I sometimes use that to show people who think something is easy that it is not so easy until they actually try it.some might find this stretch interesting ..


Also called wall squatting although it's done a little differently..facing the wall...
The nose and toes are touching the wall, while doing it...

We did these “forward wall squats” to learn proper Ma Bu.

 

[Wing Woo Gar38]

I have taken 1500mg of glucosamine for 5-6 years. Maybe that helps…

Shark oil?

 

[Wing Woo Gar38]

Personally, I always kept a little bit of extension in reserve, meaning I don’t fully extend and definitely don’t lock out. Ive found that saves wear and tear on the knees. Doing a full lock-out on a snap kick can cause a hyper-extension type injury.

100%

 

[Wing Woo Gar38]

Snappy kicks are the norm in Japanese martial arts. My knees are just fine

But does your retraction energy match your extension energy?

 

[Gyakuto104]

But does your retraction energy match your extension energy?

Yes…almost perfectly

 

[Gyakuto104]

Shark oil?

Well I read some research that suggested the usual dose that people take (300mg) is insufficient and even at the revommended 1500mg, it likely takes 3 years before any benefits are received. I also take bromelain and boswellia which are anti inflammatory. But of course, I don’t do meany snap kicks any more.