Should one stretch before class? Stretching helps improve one’s flexibility. Flexibility adds fluidity to movements and increases the range of motion which increases speed and force.
Although he would warm up with some basic techniques, Mr. Kim never stretched out before a workout. This leads to the following anecdote by Brian Rainie:
I had been working out with Mr. Kim for over 20 years. Every night, it began the same way. I would do some light warm-up (jumping and running in place) followed by 20 minutes of stretching, then start with basics and work my way up. One evening I was doing my stretches and Mr. Kim approached. He asked what I was doing. I was puzzled. Did he think I was practicing a technique, and somehow getting it wrong? I explained that I had not started my workout yet, and that I was just warming up. In his broken English, he said no more – No time before a fight to warm up. I realized he was telling me to teach my body to tolerate jumping straight in, with power. That was 15 years ago. I’m still working on it periodically. I hope to see the day that I don’t limp the following morning.
Mr. Kim’s rationales for not stretching make sense as you reach a higher level and advance your training. From time to time you may consider not stretching as much or not at all to see how well your body responds. With that said, for lower ranks and for the majority of the time, I recommend students do stretch as part of their training. Some tips for stretching include:
• Warm up first. It is best to stretch when muscles are warm.
• Do not overstretch. A mild burning sensation might be felt in the target muscles, but it should not feel uncomfortable.
• Do not bounce, but perform stretches slowly and hold them.
• If you feel pain or discomfort in your joints, stop immediately and discontinue exercise.
• Do not perform assisted and gravity assisted stretches until fully warmed-up.
• Breathe through the stretches: The proper way to breathe is to inhale slowly through the nose, expanding the abdomen (not the chest); then exhale slowly through the mouth.
• If you do not have time to stretch all joints and muscles, you should at least take the time to stretch all the muscles that will be heavily used during your workout.
The references below provide additional information and tips for stretching.
Regards,
Kelly
"Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it." ~ Lao-Tzu (6th century BC), philosopher of ancient China, and best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching
Reference
1. Ultimate Fitness Through Martial Arts by Sang H. Kim
2. http://tkdtutor.com/11Training/Stretching/0StartStretchingAndFlexibility.htm: Stretching and Flexibility, Version: 1.13, Last Modified 94/03/21 Copyright (C) 1993, 1994 by Bradford D. Appleton
3. http://www.tkdtutor.com/11Training/StretchingExercises/Stretches00.htm
Although he would warm up with some basic techniques, Mr. Kim never stretched out before a workout. This leads to the following anecdote by Brian Rainie:
I had been working out with Mr. Kim for over 20 years. Every night, it began the same way. I would do some light warm-up (jumping and running in place) followed by 20 minutes of stretching, then start with basics and work my way up. One evening I was doing my stretches and Mr. Kim approached. He asked what I was doing. I was puzzled. Did he think I was practicing a technique, and somehow getting it wrong? I explained that I had not started my workout yet, and that I was just warming up. In his broken English, he said no more – No time before a fight to warm up. I realized he was telling me to teach my body to tolerate jumping straight in, with power. That was 15 years ago. I’m still working on it periodically. I hope to see the day that I don’t limp the following morning.
Mr. Kim’s rationales for not stretching make sense as you reach a higher level and advance your training. From time to time you may consider not stretching as much or not at all to see how well your body responds. With that said, for lower ranks and for the majority of the time, I recommend students do stretch as part of their training. Some tips for stretching include:
• Warm up first. It is best to stretch when muscles are warm.
• Do not overstretch. A mild burning sensation might be felt in the target muscles, but it should not feel uncomfortable.
• Do not bounce, but perform stretches slowly and hold them.
• If you feel pain or discomfort in your joints, stop immediately and discontinue exercise.
• Do not perform assisted and gravity assisted stretches until fully warmed-up.
• Breathe through the stretches: The proper way to breathe is to inhale slowly through the nose, expanding the abdomen (not the chest); then exhale slowly through the mouth.
• If you do not have time to stretch all joints and muscles, you should at least take the time to stretch all the muscles that will be heavily used during your workout.
The references below provide additional information and tips for stretching.
Regards,
Kelly
"Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it." ~ Lao-Tzu (6th century BC), philosopher of ancient China, and best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching
Reference
1. Ultimate Fitness Through Martial Arts by Sang H. Kim
2. http://tkdtutor.com/11Training/Stretching/0StartStretchingAndFlexibility.htm: Stretching and Flexibility, Version: 1.13, Last Modified 94/03/21 Copyright (C) 1993, 1994 by Bradford D. Appleton
3. http://www.tkdtutor.com/11Training/StretchingExercises/Stretches00.htm
