I have been teaching martial arts since 1982. I all my years I have never witnessed our youth being so stiff. They lack the flexibility that children deserve. Why? Since March 2020 they have been sitting around the house in front of a tablet or flat screen. They have not run outside to play like kids deserve to. Kids should be pliable and flexible. They should become stiff when they get old. This is nature’s way.
I remember when I started my personal martial arts training. I was somewhat flexible due to my dedication to stretching and yoga. A young man in his late 20’s named Alan started training with me at that time. Now Alan was incredibly stiff for a 20 something-year-old. My original Master would tease him about his lack of flexibility. He would say, “Alan you can test for your Black Belt when you are able to bend down and touch your toes!” Well, Alan took that as a personal throwing the gauntlet down. His desire to be a Black Belt was beautifully consuming. He finally was able to touch his toes much all everyone’s happiness. We were delighted for him. If he had the right stretching regimen when he was 7 years old this would not have been a story to share with you.
Now that youth sports are opening up for participation I fear that there will be many more visits to the orthopedist. There will be many more torn and pulled muscles. Here is the way to prepare your child for health and happiness while participating in sports.
No matter what sport they are involved with, get to the practice or the game a few minutes early. Follow these simple guidelines and stretch along with your child. It will be a great habit for you as well.
- Shake your hands
- Shake your arms
- Upper body twist side to side
- Hip rotation one way then the other. Big circles
- Hang down and touch your toes. If you can’t touch your toes just let your arms hang limp.
- Stand up straight and lean back, lean to the left, and then lean to the right
- Finish with shaking out your wrists and your ankles.
You can go on a deep dive at our karate studio. Karate training enhances every aspect of every sport. Besides the increased flexibility, focus, listening skills, determination, and confidence explode a student out of their comfort zone. Here at Charles Water Karate & Fitness, stretching before and after class is a way of life.