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Old 07-24-2009, 09:25 AM   #2
Janet Rosen
 
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Location: Left Coast
Join Date: May 2002
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Re: Becoming a living katana

"
You write: "Athletes stretch to enable their body to perform properly. If you're going to participate in a physical activity like aikido, I'd advise you to stretch. By taking the time to stretch, not only will you become more supple & less prone to injury but you will also gain a better understanding of your body. You'll have a better understanding of your posture, where you hold tension & how the parts of your body are connected."

Stretching before activity has never been shown in any study to have a positive affect on performance. Stretching cold muscles, prior to warming up, *might* predispose to microtears and eventually pulls. It is only stretching after activity that is now recommended by most sports coaches.

However, in aikido dojos, the terms "warm up" and "stretch" are used synonomously. The exercises usually done are a combination of range of motion activities, in which muscle groups are moved through their full normal range of movement, and actual stretching. A real warmup, which is a very beneficial thing, will get the body moving and the muscles warmed and will include large movements and range of motion.

Janet Rosen
http://www.zanshinart.com
"peace will enter when hate is gone"--percy mayfield
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