I have slowly realized that many of my weaknesses and flaws with technique in kung fu can be traced to inflexibility in my calves. I often feel tightness in the back of my legs, from the knees down, while doing many exercises. A simple example is bending down to touch my toes, the pull in my calves is what limits me and I feel them staining more than anything. On my last hiking trip I felt weakness and stiffness in my calves and nowhere else. I believe this inflexibility is also responsible for the poor flexibility in my ankles when trying to pull my toes back or forward.
It took me much too long to realize this but at least I now have something I to work on so I can improve a range of problems I’ve been having. One of my self chosen goals for the UBBT was to work on improving the strength, flexibility and technique of my horse stance. To do that I’ll have to improve flexibility in my lower legs. I went to a hot yoga class tonight and learned some useful stretches. It was only the second time I’ve gone to a hot yoga class but I am going to try and go more often. It’s a fantastic workout and it’s perfect for improving flexibility, plus it’s a blast, in the o god this hurts, I’m going to pass out from the heat, kind of way. I find it hilarious that the bathing suit I wore and the towel I laid on were so completely saturated with sweat that they’d probably dry off if I tossed them into a swimming pool.
I’m going to develop a daily stretching routine focusing mainly on my legs and hips. I’m hoping this will help me improve a wide range of techniques.
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