Over 40 martial artists / HIIT /Crossfit junkies

BigStu1972

I get my fix from BJJ Underground. Us oldies seem to gravitate towards each other on there.
I know what you mean about BJJ training eating in to personal time. If I couldn't do lunch times classes I'm not sure id bother as BJJ is expensive if you only train once a week

shodan

So, because of this thread I can't stop thinking about training. I've always done karate but I've also done a bit of jujitsu and some other things but I keep thinking about going back to jujitsu or maybe even MMA. I know it would be hard but it would surely be easier than 10s of thousands of kicks to the air causing carnage to my knees and hips... (Or that's my twisted logic anyway)...

So that said, I've started stretching out again several times a week. Legs forward and up aren't too bad but sideways is pretty nasty. Anything above hip height was painful and simply wasn't happening.

Today, after the gym work I set about stretching again. Working on the splits as that is the least mobility I have.  And suddenly instead of being knee height off the floor, I was mid shin height! I think it might actually start coming back! I'm not saying I'll get back to holding my foot 6ft up the air, but if I can get a side or roundhouse kick back up to head height then I'm back in business!

Just a shame it's so uncomfortable to try to improve this way!

DarkDogZA

I have irritatingly managed to irritate a nerve in my neck so forced to take a three month break. The classical sparing position was not helping things so I am currently mixing physio with some postural exercises.

Have you looked at some of Thomas Kurz's notes on stretching? I have been trying to take a few pages from his dynamic stretching and it certainly makes a difference. My side mobility is still terrible but it has gotten better. My particular school does not focus too much on high kicks and includes a fair bit of grappling.

I already miss training it has already just been a few weeks.

shodan

Hope you get your neck fixed up soon.
You've just reminded me, I've actually got several books on stretching, which I'd forgotten all about. Including Scientific Stretching by Thomas Kurz, Supple Leopard by Kelly Starret and several others, all up in the loft... Guess where I'm going tomorrow...[emoji16]

DarkDogZA

Thank you, my physio has talked me into going to Yoga and Pilates :O. I actually have the Thomas Kurz book on my kindle.

shodan

I'm sure yoga and pilates (yoga with resistance?) Will be great for you, but I'm not sure it'll do much for your neck!
Maybe Sports massage or physio?

Ice it, 20 mins on, 20 mins off for a few sets and then gentle neck movements...

DarkDogZA

It was actually my physio who suggested that I do both. Part of the neck issue is driven by postural weakness in my upper back   tightness in the chest. The proverbial desk syndrome. I am actually avoiding anything that bends the neck forward.

BigStu1972

Japanese Ju Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

shodan

Japanese.

BigStu1972

ok, can't help you with that one