So in August I started doing Tae Kwon Do again - I did it for 5 years when I was younger, and quit before getting a black belt. Its something that has always bothered me, because martial arts plays a big role in my family (my dad did martial arts, my uncles did martial arts, I did Tae Kwon Do with my cousin, etc) ... and I've never really given up on anything before.
For years I'd been telling myself to start again, and this summer I finally did. Despite the fact that I felt like a newb wearing a white belt again, everything came back to me pretty quickly (technique, forms, etc).
However, my primary problem: flexibility. I'm not as flexible as I was when I was 11-12, etc. Since August, I've been stretching almost every day. I've seen my flexibility get a little better, but I'm seriously sore EVERY DAY. I'm wondering, is it even possible at my age (22) to significantly increase my flexibility, or am I destined to stay the same?
I see some of the higher belts (red, brown, black) in my class, who are in their 30s/40s and can't even kick above their waist-line. Luckily, I'm not that bad... but I think to really get where I want to go I'm going to need to become a lot more flexible. Is this possible? How can I do it other than stretch and hope for the best?
I'm black belt, far as I know there is no brown belt.. -.- If anyone can't kick above belt-level or they're too lazy too, they're a disgrace. Do the splits as best you can, touch your toes crap like that, it's harder to regain flexibility than to maintain it. I am getting better though! Considering I am a nerd with Starcraft.
it's really tough to regain your flexibility once you lose it... but it's definitely possible. the belt colors really depend on the school. mine had brown belt, others don't. i kind of regret quitting... i had my 2nd degree black belt for 2 years and i quit about 2 months before my 3rd degree test T_T
On October 02 2010 08:18 RyuChus wrote: I'm black belt, far as I know there is no brown belt.. -.- If anyone can't kick above belt-level or they're too lazy too, they're a disgrace. Do the splits as best you can, touch your toes crap like that, it's harder to regain flexibility than to maintain it. I am getting better though! Considering I am a nerd with Starcraft.
A persons genetics can affect their flexibility; there are some people who simply will not be able to kick much higher than belt level no matter how much they stretch.
On October 02 2010 08:22 mucker wrote: Yoga is the way to go if you've got the time.
Why is yoga better? What are the pros/cons of each?
I don't quite get your questions..... Are you asking how is taking yoga classes better than just doing some stretches on your own if you're trying to get more flexible?
Just keep at it, and its fairly likely you'll see a difference after a while. Also, yoga is great, but its hard as hell. Don't listen to all those commercials about yoga, doing a serious yoga workout is probably one of the most physical intensive things I've ever done, and I've been doing taekwondo for a while.
But its definitely worth it if you can settle into a routine with either yoga or taekwondo. Both is even better, but don't kill yourself (don't let that be a justification for taking a break though, that will also kill you).
On October 02 2010 08:22 mucker wrote: Yoga is the way to go if you've got the time.
Why is yoga better? What are the pros/cons of each?
I don't quite get your questions..... Are you asking how is taking yoga classes better than just doing some stretches on your own if you're trying to get more flexible?
I thought you were saying yoga is better than his decision to do tae kwon do.... if not can you explain what you meant and why?
On October 02 2010 08:22 mucker wrote: Yoga is the way to go if you've got the time.
Why is yoga better? What are the pros/cons of each?
I don't quite get your questions..... Are you asking how is taking yoga classes better than just doing some stretches on your own if you're trying to get more flexible?
I thought you were saying yoga is better than his decision to do tae kwon do.... if not can you explain what you meant and why?
I understood the op as asking how best to get/maintain the flexibility he needs to achieve his long term tae kwon do goals. I am advocating yoga as the way to hit the flexibility goal, not supplant the tae kwon do goal.
I used to do it at a hardcore school, took about eight years to get my probationary black belt . You Can increase your flexbility to a reasonable degree, but it's not easy. Constant stretching and yoga will help, but frankly super insane flexibility is not a key requisite of TKD. Muscle strength and stamina in really weird groups is the stuff I found most helpful, and that involves doing things like doing a snap kick and holding it at maximum height extended for a few seconds, stable, before bringing it back in with control. same for sidekicks and eventually back kicks, vertical kicks etc. that may not increase your height or range, but it means that your kicks will be super steady and precise, not to mention difficult to parry.
Beyond that, try centering exercises from pilates, for strengthening the abdominal and pelvic muscles, very important again for powerful and precise kicks. things like lying on your back, holding your legs out straight and raising them an inch above the ground, then holding for twenty-to thirty seconds without letting them drop or bend. then raise them to 45 and hold for another twenty, then back to an inch and another five or ten.
Remember that substance is better than flair. A waist high kick that connects is better than a head high one that fluffs.
On October 02 2010 13:49 krndandaman wrote: imo, doing it when you're young is a total waste of time... glad that you're starting it up again when you're older.
i have so many friends who did tkd when they were like 8-12, got their black belt and quit. they dont remember shit right now. parents just wanted them to get a blackbelt to add it to their resume in the future under awards.
I agree, I know a lot of people who were like "ya I got a black belt," but really anyone who does any martial art for 3-4 years will get a black belt. You pay so much money for the classes, they really don't care about pushing people through the system because they're making money in the process. But obviously they care about the students who take the martial art seriously.
I mean, when I was younger I was competing in tournaments and such - I want to get back to that level. My goal is to compete in 1-2 tournaments next summer but I've got a long way to go.
I understand it isn't the 'flair' or height of my kicks, but the technique... however I think my flexibility affects my ability to kick with really good technique. Also, I definitely should NOT be hurting every time I kick (which is the position I'm in now). I even hurt when I stretch. Maybe this is a good thing?
On October 02 2010 13:49 krndandaman wrote: imo, doing it when you're young is a total waste of time... glad that you're starting it up again when you're older.
i have so many friends who did tkd when they were like 8-12, got their black belt and quit. they dont remember shit right now. parents just wanted them to get a blackbelt to add it to their resume in the future under awards.
I agree, I know a lot of people who were like "ya I got a black belt," but really anyone who does any martial art for 3-4 years will get a black belt. You pay so much money for the classes, they really don't care about pushing people through the system because they're making money in the process. But obviously they care about the students who take the martial art seriously.
I mean, when I was younger I was competing in tournaments and such - I want to get back to that level. My goal is to compete in 1-2 tournaments next summer but I've got a long way to go.
I understand it isn't the 'flair' or height of my kicks, but the technique... however I think my flexibility affects my ability to kick with really good technique. Also, I definitely should NOT be hurting every time I kick (which is the position I'm in now). I even hurt when I stretch. Maybe this is a good thing?
of course it hurts when you stretch and of course it hurts a bit when you kick really high.
It's good, just make sure you don't break stuff, how is the freakin tendon gonna get longer if it doesn't hurt lolol
Forget about the techniques lol, just do shits that looks legit/solid and awesome. You think the creators of TKD know wtf is a technique? Nah, they just did shits that afelt good and looked good, and it is good. Try to go for that feeling rather than following some silly templates.
I mean suuuure you need techniques but imho it's much more fun to have beauty in your own ways. Try to kick high first and don't worry about technique, when you get the hight, you can THEN refine it. Don't be one of those retards who position feet perfectly, yell loudly, but only kick to their belt level. Those people makes me cringe and it makes me mad the teachers think they're better because they "yell loudly with intensity" but they punch like a pillow
EPT
. You Can increase your flexbility to a reasonable degree, but it's not easy. Constant stretching and yoga will help, but frankly super insane flexibility is not a key requisite of TKD. Muscle strength and stamina in really weird groups is the stuff I found most helpful, and that involves doing things like doing a snap kick and holding it at maximum height extended for a few seconds, stable, before bringing it back in with control. same for sidekicks and eventually back kicks, vertical kicks etc. that may not increase your height or range, but it means that your kicks will be super steady and precise, not to mention difficult to parry. 
