Mr. Kurz says in his stretching book, to use any form of support at about your hip height for dynamic leg raises to the back. So then why in the stretching book, with a picture of Mr. Kurz demonstrating a dynamic leg raise to the back (pg. 36), does it show him holding on to the seat part of the chair, which is lower than his hip height, but on the online article column #4, picture B, it shows him holding onto to the back part of the chair, which in that case is at about his hip height?
Also, when performing this dynamic stretch correctly, is your upper body supposed to start in a slightly upward angle and then dip down to being very slightly below parallel (or below your hip height)? Is the back leg also supposed to be slightly leaning in towards towards the chair, or can it be totally perpendicular to the ground?
Confused about how to do dynamic back leg raises properly
Re: Confused about how to do dynamic back leg raises properly
If you don't have the DVD Secrets of Stretching, you need to get it. It shoes a couple different variations of the dynamic leg swings. I personally have tried holding the seat of a chair, something waist height, and even something higher. What matters in the back leg swing is that you feel the stretch in your quad of the swinging leg.
You may experiment and see what gives you that stretch the best. Generally you stay facing forward or down with your upper body, and try not to open the hips too much, so it is the quad stretching rather than the inner groin.
You may experiment and see what gives you that stretch the best. Generally you stay facing forward or down with your upper body, and try not to open the hips too much, so it is the quad stretching rather than the inner groin.
Re: Confused about how to do dynamic back leg raises properly
I thought that Mr. Kurz said in his book that the Secrets of Stretching DVD, is basically just a do-it-along video, and that Stretching Scientifically has practically everything you need know about stretching and flexibility training? Though if I were to buy one of Mr. Kurz's stretching DVDs, then wouldn't Power High Kicks with No Warm Up! DVD actually be better than the Secrets of Stretching DVD, since it's not only goes over on how to do dynamic stretches properly, but also is supposed to teach a lot on the technical aspects of a martial kick?cailifo wrote:If you don't have the DVD Secrets of Stretching, you need to get it.
So, I tried experimenting, yesterday and today, with my torso at different heights and holding on to the support with hands at different heights, but I still feel in the hamstrings of my supporting leg regardless of the height. However, when I bend my legs at least 90 degrees while executing the motion, then I can feel the dynamic stretch in my quads. Is that okay, or is the kicking leg supposed to be straight during the delivery and recovering phases when doing them?cailifo wrote:I personally have tried holding the seat of a chair, something waist height, and even something higher. What matters in the back leg swing is that you feel the stretch in your quad of the swinging leg.
Re: Confused about how to do dynamic back leg raises properly
Regarding the DVD, the great thing about it is that you can actually see the exercises in motion (by Kurz) and get a better sense of how they are done. That way you'll have less questions, precisely because it is a do-it-along type. There's less room for having to imagine and guess.
As for the kicking DVD, I don't have it. I figure if your martial arts instructor is a quality one, s/he should be teaching you proper technique. If not however, again you have the book to tell you all you need to know about training and alignment issues.
In regards to your back leg raises, we have already established in another thread that your hamstrings need work. They are preventing you from good back stretches, and this dynamic quad stretch. So the weakest link is obvious now. You should work on the strength and flexibility of your hamstrings. And meanwhile make whatever adjustments you might need to get a good quad stretch, so long as you are not doing something dangerous. Ideally, you should be able to keep the base leg straight throughout the entire motion.
As for the kicking DVD, I don't have it. I figure if your martial arts instructor is a quality one, s/he should be teaching you proper technique. If not however, again you have the book to tell you all you need to know about training and alignment issues.
In regards to your back leg raises, we have already established in another thread that your hamstrings need work. They are preventing you from good back stretches, and this dynamic quad stretch. So the weakest link is obvious now. You should work on the strength and flexibility of your hamstrings. And meanwhile make whatever adjustments you might need to get a good quad stretch, so long as you are not doing something dangerous. Ideally, you should be able to keep the base leg straight throughout the entire motion.
Re: Confused about how to do dynamic back leg raises properly
Okay, I understand, that makes sense.
The problem with the DVDs is that my parents won't let me get any of them, because they feel that I will already have spent enough money on Mr. Kurz's products, after I order the books, the Science of Sports of Training and Explosive Power and Jumping Ability for All Sports, tomorrow. So I don't know what else I can do besides asking a lot of questions on the forum. I've even tried research many online articles for the past few years, and I find that the informative and clear articles that I have seen on stretching are of course Mr. Kurz's.
The problem with the DVDs is that my parents won't let me get any of them, because they feel that I will already have spent enough money on Mr. Kurz's products, after I order the books, the Science of Sports of Training and Explosive Power and Jumping Ability for All Sports, tomorrow. So I don't know what else I can do besides asking a lot of questions on the forum. I've even tried research many online articles for the past few years, and I find that the informative and clear articles that I have seen on stretching are of course Mr. Kurz's.