Flexibility

Flexibility, or the range of motion in our joints, is a main part of Tae Kwon Do. It varies greatly from joint to joint, and from person to person, but everyone can improve with regular stretching.

Better flexibility means
•Your fitness improves
•You can more easily learn techniques and progress to more advanced techniques
•Your muscles will feel less sore and tense through increased suppleness
•You reduce your risk of injury to muscles, tendons and joints
•Reduced stiffness in ligaments which can aid ailments such as arthritis

Stretching

Flexibility improves with regular stretching. Stretching should be performed at least three times a week and each stretch should be held for 15-60 seconds. Longer stretches are better as the muscle steadily becomes more relaxed in the stretch.

Stretching must always be in slow controlled movements and after a warm up. This warm up allows muscles to become more relaxed, which means stretching becomes much easier and safer.

Stretching to increase flexibility is an important aspect of taekwondo training

Kicks

Tae Kwon Do is famed for its use of kicking techniques,especially which distinguishes it from martial arts such as karate or southern styles of kung fu. The rationale is that the leg is the longest and strongest weapon a martial artist has, and kicks thus have the greatest potential to execute powerful strikes without successful retaliation.

Not Flexible?

Dont be put off if you are not naturally flexible. Effective kicking techniques can be executed to low section targets. Correct technique can be taught and flexibility will improve steadily will regular stretching activities.