Stretch Past Your Limits

...Now we can go on to the second part of a good warm up and do a little stretching. It is important to note that just before training your purpose for stretching is only to warm up and not to increase your flexibility.

The time to increase your flexibility is after class. If you stretch for long periods before an intensive training session you will actually increase the chance of injury. When stretching for a warm up, we hold each stretch for about 15 to 30 seconds. This will decrease chance of injury.

When stretching for increased flexibility, it is important to stretch for 15 to 30 minutes each stretch. The same principles can be successfully applied in all areas of your life. This concept is simply being aware of your limitations. If we know our limitations, we can keep from setting ourselves and others up for disappointment.

Let me ask you a question: "Can you do the splits?" If you can't, do you think the best way to do so is to just drop into the splits? When the muscles stop, you just keep pushing, tearing, and going down until you are in the splits. Do you know what will happen if you do this? You will scream loud enough to wake the dead, and when you're done, you won't be able to walk for a very long time. If you can do the splits, you then understand the amount of time and energy you put into attaining this stretch. I spent many hours and strategies to get and maintain my stretch. I did it in less than six weeks and so can you.

But I did not do it in six seconds. I had the goal and the desire, but also the knowledge that it was going to take time. When we know how far we can stretch, we keep from overdoing it, and when we are at home, we can practice to increase our stretch so that we can do more. If I asked you to choose between having six seconds or six weeks to get the splits, which would you choose?

Many students overestimate their abilities and train too hard for their current skill level. What ends up happening is they develop either an injury or total confusion as to what it is they are doing. They end up sitting on the bench unable to train at all. This goes against your goal.

Another important area of mental flexibility is your ability to adapt. When things change direction, do you tighten up or relax? If you're flexible, you can avoid breaking bones during a fall. If not, you're in for a lot of bruises. How do you react in a crisis? What do you do when the schedule changes? How do you communicate when someone doesn't speak the way you do? Are you flexible in your skills, or are you firm and force everyone to adapt to you? Can you accept change?

You have been reading an extract from Rick Tew´s book 'WINJITSU ACE - RICK TEW´S MENTAL MARTIAL ART', if you would like to see more of this book, and learn from Rick and his experience please visit www.winjitsu.com

Rick Tew,
Author of Winjitsu Ace,
www.winjitsu.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Stretch Past Your Limits