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