Sang H. Kim: What to do if you are stretching but not getting more flexible

[alexmaria188]

V.Good advice.. ^^ functional stretching.. ^^

[calastiur]

Hi, Wednesday I had my first taekwondo lesson. I thought it was real fun, the only problem is that my legs are quite stiff. Does this video also count for me? Are there any other things you could recommend beginners?

[turtlepress]

@calastiur here are some leg stretching exercises you can try /watch?v=HVyNSsnpNjM

Start slow and stretch 3-4 times a week.

[calastiur]

@turtlepress Great. Once I'm feeling I'm improving I'll let you know. Thanks for the link!!!

[TRT26]

Hey. I am 20 and I started focusing on stretching more serious for the past 3 months. My goal is to be able to do full side splits. Is that a realistic and possible goal with 20,..and if it is how long would it take approx.

( I stretch once a day, just before I go to bed, i stretch for 10-20 minutes,..excluding the warm up )

[turtlepress]

@TRT26 That's a very realistic goal but how long it will take depends on your body and your stretching regimen. It's different for everyone.

[TRT26]

@turtlepress thanks alot for the answer.. I let you know once I get down there :)

[MasterMacLeod]

This is some good advice indeed!

[smootube123]

great advice. stretching in a pair with someone is also useful!

[azdillydally]

Great video, solid advice...

[Associazione]

Hello Master Kim, Can you give me some advice on sparring much taller opponents who sit back and only counter with their front leg in a fixed stance?

[ittarter]

@Associazione You have to get inside their range and beat the tar out of them. I'm tall and what I love most is when my shorter opponents let me control the fight. If I control the distance between myself and my opponent I will maintain a HUGE advantage.

[Associazione]

@ittarter Hey thanks for the reply. I understand that concept and it works. My question is how to get in their range when feinting and faking fails?

[ittarter]

@Associazione You should have a speed advantage against most taller opponents. If you don't, I don't think you can get inside without giving away a point. However my experience is limited and I would talk to your instructor for specific strategies. Bigger opponents are generally overconfident and overconfidence results in patterned or repeated attacks. If you can't get inside, maybe try the bait-and-tackle routine?

[H0tkebab]

Lift weights, its good for flexibility.

[SamuraiTankyuusha]

Try:

1. Warm up

2. Dynamic stretches

3. Main workout

4. Warm down

5. Relaxed stretches

[biglmiguel]

Master Kim thank you for the great advice. You are a great asset to the martial arts world.

[biglmiguel]

i concur with Master Kim...my 1st 2yrs of tkd training consisted of mostly static floor stretches...and they ddnt help much. when i transitioned over to dynamic stretching in less than a month i had knock out power high kicks. the change was amazing. look up thomas kurtz's method of stretching. also the exercises in tkd kyoriogi (hope i spelled that right) are very effective as well.

[EonTheReal]

Thank you so much!

[McDave1312]

thank you master kim, i just love your video advices! please continue with this :)

[pepsi89]

Great advice, I will try every stretching now and then with proper warm up, thanks for all the information you have given to me, I appreciate it very much :)

[stompin74]

i think it's just like weight training or anything else ...your body will adapt an get use to certain movements and stretches..always mixx it up ..yes an always warm quite well ..i like doin alot moving stretching ..great advice