Old Apr 5, 2006 | 12:24 AM
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Steve200+
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Why not? Decent stretching guide now.

After completing the warmup, the fun begins. I prefer to do all this after a run, but relatively cold stretching has it's upsides as well. As above, do NOT bounce into any of these, take it slowly and feel the pull. Things that aren't supposed to will go 'ping' otherwise.

After each section, or each specific exercise, 'shake' your legs off for ten seconds or so. This is also acceptable to do every day.

1. Sit down with your legs in front of you. Tuck your right leg in, so that the sole of your foot is touching your left inner thigh, toes aligned with the knees roughly. Don't worry if your right knee won't touch the floor, but that's your aim.

a) Lean forward with both arms, and grab your ankle. Hold for ten, and come back slowly.
b) Lean forward with both arms, and physically grab hold of your toes. If you find this easy, grab the toe area from either side. Hold for ten.
c) As above, but go for your heel, hold for ten.
d) If you're really adventurous, grab a belt or similar, and 'hook' it around the area just above your heel. Pull forward. This will be killer

You should be bending from the ankle, and reaching your toes back if necessary. When done, repeat with other leg.

2. Sit with feet both together, and try and touch to grab your ankles. If you can't just grab wherever you can. Hold for ten.

3. Sit with the soles of your feet pressed together. WARNING : Be careful of these, do not push yourself too hard, it's easily done and can hurt for ages.

a) Press your knees outwards hard. Your inner groin will feel very uncomfortable. This is extremely normal! Hold for ten, and gently relax.
b) Place your palms on your inner thigh, just above your knees, and push downwards. Hold for ten seconds, and come back. Be careful.
c) Place your elbows on your inner thigh, and lean forward, keeping your head looking forward. Hold for ten, and gently relax.
d) Place your outer forearms flat on the floor in front of you. Harder than you think. If you can't, just try. Hold for ten and gently relax.

4. Sit with your legs apart as wide as they'll go with mild discomfort. Keep your legs straight and your knees locked.

a) Lean over to the left, trying to touch your toes with your left hand. Hold for ten and repeat with the right.
b) Lean over to the left, trying to touch your toes with BOTH hands, one hand over the other. Hold for ten and repeat with the right.
c) Grab your left ankle with your left hand, and your right ankle with your right hand, and lean forward as far as you can go. You should only feel discomfort, not pain. I knackered my inner groin and knee for a month doing this.
d) Try to place your outer forearms on the floor in front of you, and lean forward. Hold for ten seconds, and come back.

5. Stand with your legs as wide as you can go (without feeling you're losing balance), and let your torse 'flop' down from the waist. If this is easy, try and touch the backs of your hands on the floor right back between your legs.

6. Grab your left ankle with your left hand, and right ankle with your right hand, and pull forward.

7. Lie flat on your back, right leg out straight, left leg crunched up. Rotate your left leg in large circles from the hip. Ten seconds, then repeat with other leg.

Again. I will add to this, everybody in the MA world has their own preferred methods, but this WILL get you flexible. I can drop in some harsher stuff that'll really work you if anyone wants, I can also list a couple of good 'partner' stretches if anyone wants.
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