Where, in your opinion, is the best webpage I or anyone else could learn about dynamic stretching.
Or maybe you could just give a brief introduction on the basic principles?
It is really easy. Let's use the groin area for an example. Us TKD guys like to get that really high side kick and the ability to sit in a full split. We can argue all day about whether or not it is useful or practical to be able to side kick that high. But, you can't argue about the fact that flexibility can be useful even on the ground (look at BJ Penn) and that it can help prevent injury.
1. Find something to hold onto so that balance is not of concern.
2. Begin to swing your leg like a pendulum.
3. On its way down let it pass your support leg before sending it on its way up again.
4. Slowly increase the height until you are near your full range of motion. As you get close to your full range of motion add a little muscle power to
GENTLY lift the leg just a little higher on each swing. The lifting is done near the end of the swing by muscling the leg higher.
DO NOT LET THE MOMENTUM OF YOUR LEG CARRY YOUR LEG HIGHER IN A BALLISTIC FASHION. THIS WILL ONLY LEAVE YOU WITH A TORN MUSCLE OR WORSE.
5. Keep increasing the height slightly for about 10-12 reps. Rest and do the other leg.
6. You are training your nervous system more than you are training your muscles. Your lack of range is caused in great part by your nervous system trying to protect your muscles by causing them to contract when you near your full range of motion.
7. Don't start kicking until you at least stretch your hamstring also. Start over at number one only this time swing the leg strait in front of you and allow it to swing back beyond the support leg on the way down.
It is that simple. If you do this properly in the morning you will find that you can operate at near full range later in the day with little or no warm up. I have been doing and teaching this for over 20 years. Everyone that I know who has tried it has had great success. You can increase your range more in a few days that you normally can in a few years.
If I ever do any static stretching I leave it for the end of the day. It still has its place but it fatigues the muscles. If done before a workout it leaves your muscles tired and more vulnerable to injury.
Also, strong, painful static stretching will cause micro tears in the muscle fibers. This will cause inflammation and the pain will cause your body to try to protect itself by contracting the muscle which will cause more tearing...
I know that I repeated myself a few times but I really get tired of watching people injure themselves trying to increase their flexibility.
OK, I know someone is going to flame me but give it a try first. You may have second thoughts.