How To become Flexiable on your own?

Question

Hey guys, I really need to learn how to become Fleixable on my own due to the fact Im in Martial arts, I can't kick as high as I want without loosing Balance.

Is there any videos? wikipedias?

anything???

Answer 1

Try dropping your weight and rotating your hips under the kick.

This will let you get a bit higher w/out much more flexibility.

Answer 2

Just keep streching.  I know a guy that used to do the splits while playing vidio games.  Every few minutes he'd go a little farther.

Answer 3

Hi.

There is no secret to becoming flexible, it all comes down to persistent and dedicated stretching.

I know of no videos or instructional documents that you can use, that doesn't mean they don't exist.  You could try a search using key words but maybe I can save you some time.

It sounds like you're only looking to increase flexibility in your legs for kicking; if this is the case then you can try the stretching routine I got flexible using:

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Hold all stretches for about a minute (or more) but no less than 20 to 30 seconds otherwise you won't get much (if any) of the benefits of stretching. Also for all stretching you don't want shooting pain, only moderate discomfort.

*Stretches 1 and 2: Sit down, extend one leg and bring the other one in so that your foot is sitting beside or touching your inner thigh. Keep your toes pointing straight up and reach for them pulling yourself down. If you can't reach your toes grab a hand full of you pant leg or if you’re wearing shorts grab your ankle (you can use either or both hands for this stretch).

After a minute is completed switch your legs for the second stretch and repeat for another minute.

If you can get a good grip on your foot pull it back and try to point your toes at your head so you can stretch additional muscles as the same time.

*Stretch 3. Bring the bottoms of your feet together and pull them toward your body as close as you can, push down on your knees. If you can lean forward do so. Some people like to grab their feet and push down with their elbows; this is mostly just personal preference but it will force you to lean forward a bit. And again, hold for one minute.

*Stretches 4 and 5: Spread your legs out as far as they will go, point your toes straight up and reach for one foot with either or both hands pulling yourself down. This is very similar to the first stretch.

After a minute is completed switch to your other foot for the fifth stretch and repeat for one minute. You will not have to move your legs.

*Stretch 6: While keeping both your legs as far apart as they will go and your toes pointing up, lean your body straight forward and reach for both of your feet to help pull yourself down. Again, one minute.

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I would do this at least twice daily; it's pretty simple and only takes six minutes. You can do this while watching TV, playing video games, reading a book, if you're bored, etc...  But you should certainly do it before and after a workout. Once completed if you feel so inspired you can do it again.

For all of the above stretches set a goal. Work toward touching your forehead to your knees or to the floor. Though for stretch three try to touch your knees to the floor and then your forehead to the floor by leaning forward.  Don't pull a muscle trying any of these of course, take you time.

From standing you may also want to try picking up your foot behind you grabbing it and pulling up and toward you back just to get a better rounded leg stretch.

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Some people naturally aren't as flexible as others. After a year or so of martial arts and stretching I was able to do the splits (forward and backward that is, side to side I still can't do completely) with only minor discomfort. On the other hand my instructor has been taking martial arts and stretching for 20+ years and can only comfortably grab his toes.  

So don't be too disappointed if you are never able to do the splits, some people just aren't built that way.  Also, don't get discouraged, even if you never do become very flexible there are other benefits to stretching, like a reduced risk of pulling a muscle.  With that said I am sure that you will see some increased flexibility, just how much depends on how you're built.

Just keep in mind that no matter your full flexibility potential it will take time, maybe as much as a couple weeks before you start to see any obvious improvement.

I hope this helps and good luck :)

Answer 4

some good advice here.

yes there are some very good stretching books and videos out there.

bill "superfoot" wallace has some, and hes a flexible man even in his 60's ...they are available from century.

marco lala has some good stuff too. www.fightingsecrets.com  or any black belt magazine. (they also have other stretching videos as well)

or www.turtlepress.com

sang h. kim has the "ultimate flexibility" set...book and video. highly rated.

also as crazy as it sounds.....get some good yoga videos. it will stretch parts of your body you didnt know you had. some exellent fighters and teachers practice yoga...from Diego Sanchez...to Paul Vunak (jkd) ...ignore all the fanciful mystical talk...its an excellent stretch.

Answer 5

just strech while you have nothing else to do or while ur playing games reading etc

i strech when i cant sleep at night or if i wake up and cant sleep.

Answer 6

Everything you'll need to know is here:

http://www.atlantamartialarts.com/articl...