Learning About Martial Arts Stretching & Flexibility Exercises
Just as with any other type of exercise, there are certain stretches and flexibility exercises that you should perform before partaking in any martial arts activity. These martial arts stretching & flexibility exercises are going to help to loosen and limber your body so that you can execute the martial arts postures and moves properly and without worry of straining or pulling any muscles.
Martial Arts Stretching & Flexibility Exercises
Although there are certainly many, there are a few martial arts stretching & flexibility exercises in particular that are considered as being basic and which should be included in any martial arts stretching routine.
Karate Lunge Stretch
The karate lunge stretch is one of the basic martial arts stretching & flexibility exercises, and to perform it you need to use a wide stance and bend your left leg and extend your right. Rest on your right heel with your toes stretched upward, and then keeping your hands up and your back straight you want to push until you feel a slight stretch on the inner thigh. Make sure that you stop and hold as soon as you feel this because if you keep going you are liable to strain the muscle.
Groin Stretch
Another of the most important martial arts stretching & flexibility exercises is the groin stretch. For this exercise you need to sit on the floor with the soles of your feet kept together. Hold your toes and lean your entire upper body forward, as far as it will go without causing you pain. If you are not feeling a stretch in the groin area then you have not executed it properly and you are going to want to try and keep your knees further down towards the floor and try it again.
Remember to hold as soon as you feel a slight tightening and not push it any further. To isolate one side of the groin more than the other you simply need to push one knee downwards with your hand and lean forward.
Quadriceps Stretch
The quadriceps are one of the most commonly used muscles in an activity such as martial arts, so of course you need to make sure that you stretch them out properly before using them. Stand with your left hand holding onto something stable for balance, and then use your right hand to grab onto your right foot and pull your heel in towards your buttocks. Now you want to make sure that you keep your knees close and you should feel a stretch in the quadriceps area.
