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January 24, 2008

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New photo and a strange question...

In response to the last mailing ("Principle first, details later...")
I have two questions from Eric. Here is the first one:

> I have read your e-mail and loved it, and I want to know more.
> Mr. Kurz I wanted to ask a question.
> How can you stretch without discomfort or pain?
> I can't seem to find a comfortable or painless stretch.

Answer: This is a strange question... You must be using some insane
stretching method--and ineffective too...

With natural, comfortable stretching positions, all you should feel
is an effort similar to what you feel when lifting a moderately
heavy weight. Use the initial positions for stretches that I show
in my book and on the DVD Secrets of Stretching and you'll see that
as you increase your range of motion you won't feel any pain or
even discomfort--unless you rush your progress.

Look at all the people doing splits on chairs. Most of them are obviously
very comfortable. The very few who show too much effort are those
who went too fast. As they kept on increasing their range of motion
they didn't let their strength increase enough before moving on to
a greater stretch.

And here is the second question:

> I can do the American splits to the left side, but I can't seem to do
> the splits any other way, why is that?
> Do you have any stretch that can help me?
>
> PS. If so can you send me a picture or short video of that stretch
> if possible.
> Thank you.

No need to send any picture or video. You can see photos and videos
of all stretches you may need in either the book Stretching
Scientifically or on the DVD Secrets of Stretching.

Two common reasons for not being able to do a front split equally
well to both sides:

1. Your position is different even though it seems the same to you.
Take note of the exact position of feet, thighs, hips, trunk, even
head, when doing the split on the better side and then compare with
the worse side. Also take note how you move into the split and
compare the sides.

2. Your hips are not even or straight. This is very common and it
might be evaluated and corrected by a physiotherapist or a
chiropractor.

Your problem may be caused by either one or both of them.

New photo
Another new photo of a real stretching expert is posted at Stadion
What's New page. I say a "real stretching expert" because he (like
all the people whose photos are on Stadion site) knows more about
flexibility and stretching than all the esteemed "flexibility
experts," with their books and videos, who can't do what he does.

He is Travis DeForge, 13-year-old, and he learned from the book
Stretching Scientifically. It looks to me that he actually read and
followed the advice on the first page of the first chapter of the
book where I laid out principles of the effective flexibility
training, which simultaneously develops strength and flexibility.

To a completely different matter:

You can save 10%-15% on Stadion books and DVDs. Visit Stadion's
site before this offer is over.

Best regards,

Thomas Kurz

P.S.
You can read my recent e-mails with questions and answers on
training. They are archived here.

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discuss training and performance problems on Stadion's
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