On the weekend I attended one of the last ever seminars by one of, if not the, creator of Hapkido (unfortunately, like in a lot of martial arts , there is disagreements over who actually created what is now called Hapkido). Either way nobody argues that he is probably the most influential GM of Hapkido still alive today. Sadly he is pretty much retiring as of now, that was to be his last seminar.
I had the very deep honor of being his crash test dummy for most of the day, so spent most of Saturday being thrown, standing up, being thrown..you get the idea.
Most of the day was videoed, so hopefully I will be able to get a copy and will post some of the highlights here in a few weeks. Unfortunately, I could only attend 1 of the 2 days, towards the end of the first day I coped a pretty severe crank and knee to the neck so couldn't really train the day after.
The good thing to come out of the day was my hip didn't flare up at all (although I think I did re-break my toe lol). So it looks like I can pretty much do anything training wise as long as it isn't kick related. This is good news as I have an advanced Jujitsu seminar on this Saturday.
Splits progress.
Isometrics are on hold for a few weeks on orders from my Osteopath which is frustrating. On the other hand I have a new plan for progression for isometrics thanks to Dan Van Zandt. You can find a link to his blog in the links page to the right.
He outlines a logical progression of isometric strength training which I plan to follow once my Osteo gives me the thumbs up. I've already mocked up a spreadsheet that I can use to record each training session for the program.
Hopefully it will only be another week or two before i can start.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Osteopath and a funny Video
Hi Guys,
My Hip flared up a bit last week so I took a friends recommendation to go and see an osteopath that does Hapkido with her. He is pretty sure he has identified the issue which is a slight rise and rotation on the right side of my hip. This could very well account for both the hip pain and hamstring trouble I have been experiencing. The prognosis is pretty good and it should be back to normal after a few weeks of deep tissue massage. So for the next few weeks it will be only light isometrics.
This weekend I am attending a seminar with Grandmaster Ji Han Jae who is one of the last remaining original Grandmasters of Hapkido. Should be fun.
I thought I'd leave you with this funny video I found on Youtube called B.O.B's Revenge. I think of this everytime I hit him now.
My Hip flared up a bit last week so I took a friends recommendation to go and see an osteopath that does Hapkido with her. He is pretty sure he has identified the issue which is a slight rise and rotation on the right side of my hip. This could very well account for both the hip pain and hamstring trouble I have been experiencing. The prognosis is pretty good and it should be back to normal after a few weeks of deep tissue massage. So for the next few weeks it will be only light isometrics.
This weekend I am attending a seminar with Grandmaster Ji Han Jae who is one of the last remaining original Grandmasters of Hapkido. Should be fun.
I thought I'd leave you with this funny video I found on Youtube called B.O.B's Revenge. I think of this everytime I hit him now.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
OK, I lied
Hi Guys,
Thanks for reading. I know I wrote yesterday that I was going to have a rest week this week ......looks like I lied. My toe didn't bother me too much and my niggling pull at the back of my knee vanished overnight so I decided to hit the Gym today.
I felt I had an OK stretch, although not as good as Saturdays. The Gym where I stretch on Saturdays has a better floor for it (slightly slippery, but not too much).
Anyway, I took some photos today. Looking at them, I'm pretty sure there has been a definite (but small) improvement. Its hard to compare them to the last set I took due to the different angle of the camera. Anyway considering I only started back with light isometrics a month ago, its not too bad.
Still a long way to go but as long as it is improving I'm happy.
Thanks for reading. I know I wrote yesterday that I was going to have a rest week this week ......looks like I lied. My toe didn't bother me too much and my niggling pull at the back of my knee vanished overnight so I decided to hit the Gym today.
I felt I had an OK stretch, although not as good as Saturdays. The Gym where I stretch on Saturdays has a better floor for it (slightly slippery, but not too much).
Anyway, I took some photos today. Looking at them, I'm pretty sure there has been a definite (but small) improvement. Its hard to compare them to the last set I took due to the different angle of the camera. Anyway considering I only started back with light isometrics a month ago, its not too bad.
Still a long way to go but as long as it is improving I'm happy.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Ahh the joys of training
Hi Guys,
Thanks for reading.
I was really looking forward to posting some new splits photos this week but unfortunately some minor niggling injuries are telling me to take it easy this week.
Despite breaking my toe at jujitsu, I did have a great stretch on Saturday and wish I could have taken some photos then, I'm sure I've made some progress since the last set of photos.
Instead, you get a photo of my broken toe. Enjoy......
The good thing about broken toes is there isn't much you can do for them. Just tape it to another toe and away you go....and hope you don't kick it on anything!!
That along with a small pull at the back of my knee I got while chasing my cats up the corridor (gotta love getting older!!) have convinced me its probably for the best to have an active rest week (I'm over due for one actually).
Instead of strength training I will do some massage and maybe some light relaxed stretches. Despite these minor inconveniences I'm actually feeling really positive about my stretching. It feels like I'm making some progress particularly on my open front split, will need to sort out some photos asap to get an objective view on it.
I've also decided I need to add some harder resistance training for my Hip Flexor into my leg strengthening routine. There aren't a lot of options but I have a few exercises I plan to try out, I will keep you updated on how they go.
Thanks for reading.
I was really looking forward to posting some new splits photos this week but unfortunately some minor niggling injuries are telling me to take it easy this week.
Despite breaking my toe at jujitsu, I did have a great stretch on Saturday and wish I could have taken some photos then, I'm sure I've made some progress since the last set of photos.
Instead, you get a photo of my broken toe. Enjoy......
The good thing about broken toes is there isn't much you can do for them. Just tape it to another toe and away you go....and hope you don't kick it on anything!!
That along with a small pull at the back of my knee I got while chasing my cats up the corridor (gotta love getting older!!) have convinced me its probably for the best to have an active rest week (I'm over due for one actually).
Instead of strength training I will do some massage and maybe some light relaxed stretches. Despite these minor inconveniences I'm actually feeling really positive about my stretching. It feels like I'm making some progress particularly on my open front split, will need to sort out some photos asap to get an objective view on it.
I've also decided I need to add some harder resistance training for my Hip Flexor into my leg strengthening routine. There aren't a lot of options but I have a few exercises I plan to try out, I will keep you updated on how they go.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
DVD review - Stacey Nemour's Secrets of Splits Flexibility
Hi Guys,
Thanks for reading.
I recently got hold of a copy of Stacey Nemours Secrets of Splits Flexibility and after watching thought I would do a quick review and post my thoughts.
Here is the youtube promo for the DVD.
Firstly you have to say, she seems really nice and enthusiastic and you can't say she isnt VERY flexible.
Unfortunately, thats where the positives of this DVD stop.
She makes some pretty big claims of the video:
"In this DVD, I present my training techniques and proven solutions designed to alleviate back pain, knee problems, and other debilitating ailments. I demonstrate unique stretches and exercises that will enable you to attain a level of flexibility that usually requires years of training; and I will demonstrate to you the correct order in which to do them. This will enable your body to open up faster, thereby allowing you to get into splits more rapidly, safely, and with confidence. You will also discover that this workout provides anti-aging benefits. My techniques will help you overcome stiff joints and that "hunched-over" posture, which limits the activities you are able to participate in."
Considering there are no back or knee strengthening techniques, just a collection of static passive stretches and 2 sets of weighted leg raises, I find these claims to be very misleading.
The blurb should read: "In this DVD you get to watch me in some advanced stretches with me just saying, sink into it...thats about it"
Its pretty obvious that Stacey has always been naturally very flexible, and that she probably never really had to work on her flexibility. The level of "instruction" of the DVD is almost non existant apart from "sink into it" or "point your toes". Basically the youtube video shows the few stretches that actually have her give anything more than that.
If you are looking for anything more than a very flexible in shape 40 something year old woman stetching and doing the splits for 35 minutes, look elsewhere and save your money, for actual educational or training value, this DVD is pretty much worthless.
Sorry Stacey
Thanks for reading.
I recently got hold of a copy of Stacey Nemours Secrets of Splits Flexibility and after watching thought I would do a quick review and post my thoughts.
Here is the youtube promo for the DVD.
Firstly you have to say, she seems really nice and enthusiastic and you can't say she isnt VERY flexible.
Unfortunately, thats where the positives of this DVD stop.
She makes some pretty big claims of the video:
"In this DVD, I present my training techniques and proven solutions designed to alleviate back pain, knee problems, and other debilitating ailments. I demonstrate unique stretches and exercises that will enable you to attain a level of flexibility that usually requires years of training; and I will demonstrate to you the correct order in which to do them. This will enable your body to open up faster, thereby allowing you to get into splits more rapidly, safely, and with confidence. You will also discover that this workout provides anti-aging benefits. My techniques will help you overcome stiff joints and that "hunched-over" posture, which limits the activities you are able to participate in."
Considering there are no back or knee strengthening techniques, just a collection of static passive stretches and 2 sets of weighted leg raises, I find these claims to be very misleading.
The blurb should read: "In this DVD you get to watch me in some advanced stretches with me just saying, sink into it...thats about it"
Its pretty obvious that Stacey has always been naturally very flexible, and that she probably never really had to work on her flexibility. The level of "instruction" of the DVD is almost non existant apart from "sink into it" or "point your toes". Basically the youtube video shows the few stretches that actually have her give anything more than that.
If you are looking for anything more than a very flexible in shape 40 something year old woman stetching and doing the splits for 35 minutes, look elsewhere and save your money, for actual educational or training value, this DVD is pretty much worthless.
Sorry Stacey
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