WARNING

WARNING:
Possible pirate copies being distributed in Australian martial arts
stores!

We have received an e-mail from a martial arts instructor in
Australia about an extremely low quality DVD titled “Stretching
Scientifically.” It is not our product.

We used to sell a VHS tape titled “Stretching Scientifically” until
about 1991. That tape showed exercises from the 1985 edition of our
book Stretching Scientifically (old stuff!). We discontinued
selling that old video when we produced Secrets of Stretching,
which is now available on DVD at
http://www.stadion.com/secrets.html .

We have NOT licensed anyone to produce a DVD from the original
master of Stretching Scientifically video. Apparently, by the
awful looks of it, someone burned DVD-R discs from a old VHS tape.
Do not get burned yourself—do not buy it.

And here is that e-mail from the instructor in Australia:

> I have recently purchased a copy of the Stretching Scientifically DVD, and
> was extremely disappointed. After showing the DVD to a friend who works in
> the field of I.T, he agreed that the copy was most likely fraudulent, and
> that I should look into the matter. The martial arts store where I
> purchased the DVD is well known, and I have no idea if the copies are
> being made by them, or their supplier. I find it near impossible to
> believe these DVD would be sold as a commercial product as their low
> quality is painfully obvious.
>
> The covers are printed on standard copy paper, with a home inkjet
> printer.The paper has warped from the ink (as only happens in home printers
> (on plain A4 copy paper). The DVD disc themselves are also burnt rather
> then pressed, and also printed by a inkjet printer. I paid approx. $55
> for my copy, and do not feel the quality reflects the price. Even the
> sound and image quality are extremely poor.
>
> I doubt your organisation would release a product of such a substandard,
> and I myself feel that I have been misled and basically 'ripped off'.
>
> Thank you for your time
>
> A. (Martial arts instructor and practitioner for some 18 years)

Well, we are sorry you got ripped off. Generally, if we do not
carry a product on our Web site, then it is not ours—no matter
what it says on the cover or in its advertising. Now, with DVD
technology, our DVDs that play in North America will play in all
other regions. If you want to be sure you are buying a quality
product buy it directly from us or ask us which dealer carries our
product that you want.

Sincerely,

Thomas Kurz

Old Stuff? Read on:

> Dear Thomas Kurz;
>
> I bought your book Stretching Scientifically, plus the VHS, several
> years ago.
> Then, I also purchased your book on training: Science of Sports
> Training.
>
> Still now I consider that material among the best I have.
>
> In your last newsletter (Feb. 22) you say that it is already “old
> stuff”.

Answer:
VHS tape titled “Stretching Scientifically,” showed exercises
from the 1985 edition of our book Stretching Scientifically.
Yes, that is old stuff.

The current edition of the book Stretching Scientifically gives
more information and shows more stretches. It has more and better
instructions of how and when to do the exercises, and additional
chapters, such as Questions and Answers. You can see the
differences if you compare the table of contents in the old edition
with what you have in the new one. The table of contents of the
current edition is posted at http://www.stadion.com/stretch_toc.html .

The method of increasing flexibility presented in all editions of
my book is the same BECAUSE IT WORKS. This method of flexibility
training and stretching is based on basic facts of human physiology
and on several intelligent coaches' observations of many
athletes—and true observations are always true, while explanations
“Why” may change.

So, there is no difference in the practical application of
stretches and exercises within this method regardless whether you
have the first edition from 1985 or the most current one from 2003.
Some explanations of the physiology behind this method have changed
(not much)—but this happens a lot in science. New research gives
different or more detailed explanations to what is proven in
practice.

By the way, the first edition of the book had only one page of
bibliography. The current edition has eleven pages, listing (in
small print) research articles and other references that support
statements made in the book. Much research has been done since 1985
that confirms soundness of this method—obviously!

> Does the new DVD Secrets of Stretching present many changes?
> Is there anything wrong about Stretching Scientifically?
> Is Secrets of Stretching a breakthrough compared to the “old
> stuff”?
> Does it have a companion book?
>
> The “old stuff” worked very well for me for many years.
> Should I consider updating myself with the "new stuff”?
>
> Thanks for your answer.
> Regards,
>
> Luis Gaona
> from Uruguay (South America)

Answer:
To compare the DVD Secrets of Stretching to the old VHS
Stretching Scientifically just read its table of contents at
http://www.stadion.com/secrets_toc.html . You will see that it
shows a lot of resistance exercises that prepare for stretching and
also help to increase flexibility and none of these were shown on
the old video.

And no, the the DVD Secrets of Stretching does not have a
companion book.

Sincerely,

Thomas Kurz

P.S.
You can read my past e-mails with questions and answers on
training. They are archived at
http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?stadion-list .

If you use RSS (Real Simple Syndication) the url is
http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?stadion-list .
(What is RSS and how to use it is explained at
http://www.basictemplates.com/blog/2005/06/rss-real-simple-syndication.shtml .)

P.P.S.
Exchange tips on working out and competing, and discuss training
and performance problems on Stadion's Sports and Martial Arts
Training Discussion Forum at http://www.stadion.com/phpBB3 .

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