Just received my copy of Power High Kicks by Mac Mierzejewski (I have Kurz's book and Video). I found this video to be excellent.
I'm more interested in developing the height and power of my kicks than being able to do the side/front splits.
I dont know about other martial arts but I practice Taekwondo (taking my 2nd Dan in 1 week) and learnt a lot from these videos with regards to training. Mac covers many of the basic kicks; turning kick, back kick, side kick, crescent kick, reverse turning kick etc. What I found useful was how he broke down every kick and then showed you exactly how to perform it for most power and height. In addition he shows the strength training required to help you develop your kicks. It doesnt go into too much detail, but sticks to the fundamentals.
Compared to some of Stadion's other products (particularly the original edition of Stretching Scintifically) there is no guess work. Don't get me wrong I think Kurz's material is fine it just seems to on occasion leave a few questions unanswered. Power High Kicks is very easy to follow as everything is demonstrated. The fundamentals of strength training are the same as Kurz's video/book anyway so you wont miss anything.
If your a martial artist I would buy Power High Kicks first and see how you get on.
Power High Kicks Video
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RussMcCann
- Posts: 10
- Joined: May 09, 2004 11:27
- Location: Saint John, New Brunswick
- Contact:
wynnema, I agree completely that the tape is excellent. I must have watched this tape over 10 times now and always find something new in it.
The slow-motion footage allows you to study small details such as hip motion and alignment that you might otherwise miss. One of the most telling examples is a clip showing Mac knocking out an opponent during a match using a front-leg front snap kick. He's able to get tremendous power even from the front leg because he gets his hips into the motion. In the slow-motion, you can clearly see that the toes of his supporting foot are actually pointed about 135 degrees off from front! Try it yourself; you'll find that the only way to recreate that position is if you really throw your hips completely into the motion.
The tape also features a number of exercises that can teach you how to keep your knee high during a kick. If you feel awkward kicking over a chair like he demonstrates, it may be an indication that you normally do not raise your knee high before straightening your leg.
The tape is my favorite stadion product. I encourage all kicking-focused martial artists to buy it. Don't try to get by with borrowing a friend's copy (or the library's copy). Watching it once will not be enough. The true value of the tape only dawns on you after watching it numerous times.
-Mark
The slow-motion footage allows you to study small details such as hip motion and alignment that you might otherwise miss. One of the most telling examples is a clip showing Mac knocking out an opponent during a match using a front-leg front snap kick. He's able to get tremendous power even from the front leg because he gets his hips into the motion. In the slow-motion, you can clearly see that the toes of his supporting foot are actually pointed about 135 degrees off from front! Try it yourself; you'll find that the only way to recreate that position is if you really throw your hips completely into the motion.
The tape also features a number of exercises that can teach you how to keep your knee high during a kick. If you feel awkward kicking over a chair like he demonstrates, it may be an indication that you normally do not raise your knee high before straightening your leg.
The tape is my favorite stadion product. I encourage all kicking-focused martial artists to buy it. Don't try to get by with borrowing a friend's copy (or the library's copy). Watching it once will not be enough. The true value of the tape only dawns on you after watching it numerous times.
-Mark
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MikeMartial
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Mar 05, 2004 17:38
- Location: Alberta, Canada
DVD format?
When on EARTH is Stadion going to put that video out on a DVD format?
I've heard so much about it, but in this day and age there's people (like myself) that have pitched the 'ol VHS out.
I've heard so much about it, but in this day and age there's people (like myself) that have pitched the 'ol VHS out.
Remember, there's a thread on that very subject. I'm guessing that Stadion has simply outsourced the video transfer process to another company so they probably don't have much control over it. I've been told that they are having some technical difficulties making the transfer from VHS to DVD for "Secrets of Streching" so that is slowing up the process. Hopefully they'll get it resolved soon.
-Mark
-Mark