clasp knife stretching ?

[DanBor]

Hello guys, I heard somewhere about clasp knife stretching (I think in one of Pavel's books) and I would like to know some more about this. So does anyone have experience with it ?

Thanks.

[dragon]

Clasp knife stretches are an extreme form of isometrics.
Usually you would adopt a stretch(for example,the split),tense,relax,and stretch further.All of these procedures are controlled by the individual.
Clasp knife stretches involving tensing in a position until your muscles finally give in and you drop further into the stretch.
Pavel describes this as being the same as losing at arm wrestling:-when you have been straining against your opponent for a long time your arm suddenly collapses and your opponent wins.

Dragon.

[DanBor]

Thanks for your quick reply. I was just reading what you've said in the book Relax into stretch.
So have you ever done it Dragon? When i apply isometric contractions my muscles start to shake and shiver, because i contract them very hard, but i can't imagine to last long enough to that final phase? What about you?

Thanks.

[dragon]

No,i've never done it either.Pavel also mentions that for isometrics the tension can never waver.For example,if you used the same theory for holding out a weight(barbell,dumbbell,etc),the weight should never move(or bob up and down).Isometric tension should be held in the same way.
To hold an isometric tension for up to 5+ minutes whilst still keeping the tension constant would be quite hard to master.
I think most people would give up in their mind before the muscle gave up.

Dragon.

[DanBor]

I agree with you, its nearly impossible (for "normal" human being) to aply constant tension 5+ minutes, its even chalenge to stay in the low stance 5+ minutes (without tensions).
I struggle in the stance 2+ minutes, and with isometric tensions about 40-50 sec (on a good days).

[Phillky]

wow... thats a lot of pain for 5 mins. Im glad Tom has given us an easier and slightly less painful method