Flexibility and Strength in Martial Arts

Flexibility is the range of movement that youTension and relaxation are of supreme
have in your joints. Some say that this definitionimportance. Tension is equated with power and
should only apply if there is no exterior help tostrength while relaxation is equated with speed
move the joint, but this is not correct. If yourand flexibility. Russian Cossacks used to train with
joints have a greater degree of movement whentheir sabres by standing waist deep in water and
aided by an external force, then that degree ofslicing into the water with their blades. As they
movement defines the flexibility.became weary they would learn to relax on the
Hence, if you strengthen you muscles, and thesedownstroke and tense and use their power on at
act as the external force, then the flexibility ofthe moment of strike.
your joints will allow a greater range ofThe results were incredible and awesome. A
movement than were your muscles unable toCossack could slice a man from shoulder down to
exert that degree of force.saddle with one strike with only a light sabre. All
To put it simply, if you have a great degree ofdue to using relaxation and power at the correct
flexibility in your joints, then the stronger you are,times. This can be simulated by using a large
the more you will be able to put that flexibility torubber eraser. About three inches by an inch
use in the range of movement you have at yoursquare is about right. Hold it in the fist and
disposal. It goes without saying that the moreexplosively compress it. Do this using your core
flexibility you have in a martial art the better.power. Compress hard with maximum explosion,
However, people do not have the same range ofjust as if you were punching. Then relax just as
flexibility throughout their bodies. Even morequickly. Repeat this during the day - explosive
specifically, flexibility in one range or direction ofcompression and quick relaxation. Eventually you
motion at a specific joint does not imply flexibilitybe able to carry out this rapid-fire tight-loose-tight
in another. Hence that fact that you havesequence without thought.
complete ability to complete perfect front splitsThis is a relaxation technique, but cannot replace
does not infer that you have the same controlthe experience of the fight since fear of being hit
over side splits, even though it is the same hipcannot help tighten you up. However, if you do
joint that is involved. The two are not connected.this for a few hours every day (easier than you
A suitable flexibility exercise program, therefore,think since the eraser can be carried in your
should be designed to provide good flexibility in allpocket) you will find that you can relax your fist
joints in all directions of movement, relevant tountil the moment of the strike when you require
the martial art studied.maximum power.
Flexibility training should be carried out inWhether in boxing or karate, this will improve
conjunction with strength training in order that theyour performance and strength. Combine this with
range of flexibility achieved can be used to its fullyour flexibility training and you will be on the first
potential by the muscles that move the bones inrung of achieving greatness in karate or any
the joints. There is no truth in the belief that youother explosive martial art. Russian training
must trade flexibility and strength. Suprememethods help you to develop this total control
strength simply means supreme use of theover relaxation and explosive power in the use of
flexibility gained through training.your strength and flexibility.
However there is more than this in a martial art.