Jean Frenette's Complete Guide to Stretching

Burbank, California: Unique Publications, Inc., 1990. First Edition . Trade Paperback. Near Fine. 7" x 10. Silverio, Danilo J. - Designer. 130 Pages. No matter who you are or what your area of martial arts expertise, you'll never reach your maximum potential unless you incorporate a basic stretching program into your daily routine. The author has known plenty of forms and fighting competitors who lack the necessary flexibility to put themselves over the top. For a fighter, maybe he can't get his roundhouse kick out far enough to connect with his opponent. For a forms competitor, maybe he doesn't quite get the extension in his arms and legs to wow the judges. These may appear to be little things, but they can mean the difference between victory and defeat in a close contest. Stretching and the martial arts go hand-in-hand, maybe more so than in any other sport. There is so much flexibility, so much suppleness required of the martial artist that to neglect this part of training would be to deny yourself the chance to realize your dreams. First, stretching will help you achieve maximum comfort in your stance. A big plus for martial artists is to use your hips to the maximum and maintain a comfortable stationary position. Many times, if you're tight in the hip area you'll find it hard to generate power. The visual results of a solid stretching program can be immediate and dramatic. You'll kick higher and with more power and you'll feel a better balance and control with your technique. This is especially true when training with a partner, because without the stretching program, every time you lift your leg you'll fall as he moves backward. But if you learn to stretch the right way, you'll soon see you can raise your leg higher and hold the leg longer. Two weeks into your stretching you'll see a big improvement in your martial arts technique. You'll feel comfortable with yourself and your stance. You have to search for results both inside and outside your body. Your body will give you signs, and if you follow a tested stretching program like this one, the results will always be positive. For those older people just starting the martial arts, a simple task such as walking will be an invigorating experience. You'll be stronger, have better balance and be more conscious of how your body and muscles work. For the first time in your life, you're learning to control your muscles.