importance of flexibility

[nystangkid]

How important is flexibility in MA. Is it more important in different styles than others. Thanks

[Sohan]

Depends. MMA star Dan Henderson claims he can't even touch his toes. In my style of Shorin Ryu, we rarely kick above the waist level.

That said, the more flexible you are, the more range of motion you will have with your joints, and the less hindered your joints will be in their movements, enabling you to move more quickly and with less tension. Because of this, being more flexible (to a point) will also likely help to reduce joint injuries.

With respect,

Sohan

[SBN Doug]

Whoa!! Mahopac!??? I used to train at the KSW dojang there when I lived in Connecticut.

IMO flexibility is more important in certain art than others. TKD needs good flexibility to effectively use all the high, fast kicks. While something like Muay Thai would not require it (but most are still pretty flexible).

I'm personally not very flexible in the legs. I continue to try and improve, but I'll never do a full split (or want to ). I keep most of my kicks waist level and below, but being 6', I can still cresent kick most people's heads without the flexibility.

[2007]

you use twice as much energy to kick than punch, and the higher the kick goes the weaker it gets, so NO it's not really important, especially on the street defence side anyway.

i agree TKD does need it for it's compition sport ,

[bushido_man96]

General, overall flexibility is important to help prevent injuries like muscle strains and tears. The better the range of motion is in a joint, then the more you can do with it.

Flexibile muscles are also relaxed muscles. This, in turn, can help with some speed.

Now, as far as being able to do the splits, this is not entirely necessary. However, if you can kick high and accurate, then your low kicks will be accurate as well. Just about every professional athlete does some kind of stretching routine that is specific to their activity. This is what is most important when it comes to stretching. You want to do the routine that corresponds the most to what you do, activity wise. This is referred to as specificity.

[lordtariel]

Flexibility is a good thing to have for both health and martial arts, but that doesn't mean that everyone should be trying to turn themselves into pretzels. It really depends on what your goals are. If you want to kick people in the head, you're going to need some flexibility, but if you just want to punch, it's not as important.

[Muki]

General, overall flexibility is important to help prevent injuries like muscle strains and tears. The better the range of motion is in a joint, then the more you can do with it.

Flexibile muscles are also relaxed muscles. This, in turn, can help with some speed.

I totally agree with this. That's why it's important to stretch before physical activities. Flexibility gives you some kind of wonderful freedom of movement (we all know how fast, agile and flexible cats are.)

In my style it is important as you have to be able to do head high kicks by the time you test for the green belt. (Kumite and kata followed by the green belt have elements that require such flexibility.)

you use twice as much energy to kick than punch, and the higher the kick goes the weaker it gets, so NO it's not really important,...

I don't think that high kicks are weaker than punches or lower kicks. They might consume more energy, but I don't know about that. They might be more difficult to perfect (most of the beginners I see are more aware of their hands than their body altogether and tend to learn the hand involving techniques faster than footwork). But a high kick - if coming from a flexible person with strong legs - shouldn't be weaker than a punch... Or is it?

[baronbvp]

It's more important to warm up than to stretch. In fact, stretching cold can cause injury. Warm up with 5-10 minutes of light to medium aerobic activity. Then stretch. Then do your workout, spar, whatever. Then stretch and cool down and then have a beer.

Over-stretching over time can cause damage to tendons and ligaments as well. Get a good book such as The Genius of Flexibility by Bob Cooley or Ultimate Flexibility by Sang H. Kim.

[TheUSPS]

So what the best way for a 6'2 person like me learn how to increase my flexibility? I can widen my legs and my knees still buckle

[baronbvp]

If your knees are buckling, it sounds like a joint strength issue vice a flexibility one.