Stretching

[neoplasme]

I was just wondering what was your stretching routine was like. Do you use advence concept? do you have any links or good books to recommend?

Thanks
Neo

[koltz]

mmmmm....
I only know that doing isometric streches for muscles likethe triceps which are naturalyl flexible are a good way to strech them instead of trying to fidn an ackward angle in which it's not as flexible

I'm pretty flexible all over considering I don't do streches too often although I should

http://trickstutorials.com/index.php?page=content/flexibility

[standAPART]

A good book is called "Stretch to Win" that yuo might wanna look into.

[Dave.cyco]

A couple things about stretching that I've learned over the years:

Stretch lightly before resistance exercise, and then do some heavy stretching after. I personally stretch between most if not all of my sets in a given workout, as this is when my muscles are the most pliable.
It's very important to breathe; never hold your breath when stretching.
It's always good to go only as far as to feel a solid pull or a light burn, but as soon as you feel a sharp pain, ease of slowly, but never wrench yourself quickly out of a stretch.

When stretching hamstrings this one works best for me, but I do others too:
Stand feet together, or shoulder width apart, your choice. Now take a deep breath and slowly let it out as you bend down from the hips, legs straight. Breathe in as you come back up and allow your breathing to take you up and down through this motion. Do a few reps, and don't be surprised if you go noticably lower each time. The more air you push out, the lower you can go. After a couple weeks you may even be able to touch the back of your wrist to the ground, or even better!

I know it's been said before, but here it is:
"You're breath is your power!"

[Moonduck]

I've got pretty good flexibility in my legs. Still able to kick above my head, and it has been 10 years since I've done any serious stretching. Although I've always been fairly flexible, the stretching pattern that I found most effective was a light stretch during warmup, and then deeper stretches after the workout, done 2-3 days a week not back-to-back. The deeper stretches were done with an isometric flex done at full extension of the limb being stretched.

There is a long term for this, but I can't recall it right now. Many of the better stretching books tell you do similarly.

[Dave.cyco]

Moonduck, it sounds like you are talking about going deep into the stretch and holding the muscle tense. I agree with this method, and I like to take it a step further. For example when sitting with my legs straight out in front, I will grab my ankles and pull my chest to my knees and then very rapidly jiggle my knees. I find this very invigorating, and it loosens the hamstring like you wouldn't believe. I first learned this from a blue belt at the freestyle karate club I trained at in my teen years. I was about yellow or ornage at the time. Perhaps the term you are thinking of is dynamic tension? What style of MA have you trained in? Tae Kwon Do?

elasticsteel all the way.

It's simple straight forward and really good.

http://www.elasticsteel.com

[Moonduck]

Moonduck, it sounds like you are talking about going deep into the stretch and holding the muscle tense. I agree with this method, and I like to take it a step further. For example when sitting with my legs straight out in front, I will grab my ankles and pull my chest to my knees and then very rapidly jiggle my knees. I find this very invigorating, and it loosens the hamstring like you wouldn't believe. I first learned this from a blue belt at the freestyle karate club I trained at in my teen years. I was about yellow or ornage at the time.

While I've not done that particular move, I've done the 'jiggling' thing. It's very common in certains sports, though see it in different positions. watch a boxer try to stay loose before a fight.

Perhaps the term you are thinking of is dynamic tension? What style of MA have you trained in? Tae Kwon Do?

Dynamic tension is the term, aye.

I've trained in Kempo, western boxing, kick boxing, Sombo, Kali-Silat, European armed combat, and JKD.