| An integral part of Karate training is Calisthenics. It | | | | hand, clenched fist strokes. Dance around the bag. |
| is essential that the student conduct a 15-minute | | | | Strike from awkward positions. |
| warm-up or flexibility exercises to strengthen and | | | | Push-Ups are one of the basic muscle |
| loosen his muscles. You should loosen the body, | | | | strengthening exercises practiced by the United |
| indulge in neck twisting, arm stretching, back | | | | States Marines, by tough Commando troops, by |
| stretching, leg swinging, leg stretching, leg | | | | F.B.I, men and police trainees everywhere. |
| spreading, trunk twisting, etc. All of these things | | | | Push-Ups, too, should be practiced by the Karate |
| will make you more flexible and more easily able | | | | Man in Training every day! It's the ideal exercise |
| to perform the thrusts and moves that are | | | | for the chest, arms, stomach, back, ankles, |
| demanded in karate. | | | | wrists! |
| To develop and strengthen the muscles which are | | | | Another good limbering-up exercise is called |
| so important in executing Karate techniques and | | | | Rabbit-Hopping. And, as the name implies, you hop |
| motions, it is wise to practice these advanced | | | | around the room like a rabbit. It sounds easy but |
| calisthenics. Push-ups will help strengthen the legs | | | | once you try it, you'll wonder how rabbits do it so |
| and arms. You should be able to do 15 or 25 | | | | gracefully! But don't despair! Keep trying it and |
| pushups a day. | | | | you'll master it as well as Bugs Bunny. This |
| For leg-lifting, place hands against a wall, lean your | | | | exercise strengthens muscles used in jumping and |
| body forward and quickly lift the knee as high as | | | | kicking. Hop a few feet each day; then increase |
| you can. After steady practice you will be able to | | | | the distance until you can rabbit-hop about 75 |
| lift it right to your upper chest! | | | | feet! |
| Rabbit hopping is also suggested, especially with | | | | Another good limbering-up exercise consists of |
| your hands clasped behind your back. | | | | throwing your right straight out-as if you were |
| Other Forms of Calisthenics | | | | punching a bag. This helps give you proper |
| As many of you know, rope skipping is not just | | | | leverage. Try it a few times when warming up. |
| for little girls. Professional boxers in every weight | | | | Try marching around the room like a wooden |
| division-from the lightweight division right up to the | | | | soldier. This helps improve your knee thrusts. |
| heavyweight division-practice rope skipping before | | | | If you've ever visited New York City, you've |
| each training session as part of their flexibility | | | | undoubtedly seen and admired the precision |
| exercises. Try one jump and when you have | | | | dancing and leg kicking of the world-famous |
| gained confidence and perfection, attempt two | | | | Rockettes on the stage of the Radio City Music |
| jumps per revolution. | | | | Hall. You should try kicking your leg up too. This is |
| Punching the bag is an excellent way to sharpen | | | | an excellent exercise for strengthening leg |
| your reflexes, get more steam into your | | | | muscles. |
| overhead punches. Keep slugging away according | | | | Practise these flexibility exercises often and your |
| to the correct principles of Karate. Practice the | | | | karate will improve. |
| one-knuckle, middle knuckle, knife hand, back of | | | | |