Tag: stretch

On Sunday, my plans to get out and move around were thwarted once again by rain. However, my lazy day got exciting again when Prissy showed up and hauled Nik and I to a stretch & flexibility yoga class. It was more focused on expanding the range of motion than other yoga classes I’ve attended, and I was able to push myself further than I’ve been before. No lie – I saw more of a change in one class than I did in the year of gymnastics that I took.

Monday night was Krav night, as per usual. We did some drills inside and then got back outside and ran some scenarios outdoors. I like practicing outside, even in the dark and the heat – maybe especially in the dark and the heat – because it adds an element of realism. You don’t get to fight in a controlled environment in real life.

Tonight is my usual yoga night. I’m looking forward to going back after being off last week.

Last week was the first time in a long time that I did all my activities (and then some).

Monday: Krav Maga
Tuesday: yoga
Wednesday: Krav Maga
Thursday: rest
Friday: fencing
Saturday: beach yoga, beach walk, nature trail walk
Sunday: dancing
Monday: fencing (since the gym where I do Krav was closed)

I felt more than a little rusty during almost all of those activities at first, but it’s good to be moving again. I’m really really looking forward to yoga today because I need to stretch out all those muscles I used!

I passed!

I’m really excited and relieved because my training partner and I both passed our P2 tests. Last night’s class was pretty brutal, but I know working out harder and longer (now we help with P1 and P2 7-8 and train P3 8-8:30) will make me stronger and more adept. I am also very very tired.

I’m looking forward to yoga tonight. I’ve been working on correcting my posture this summer, and yoga really helps me keep everything aligned. I’m also trying to increase my flexibility in my hamstrings and lower back – that whole region can get super tight and (I think) cause cramps in my calves when I’m working out.

My Krav class is helping with a self-defense seminar on Wednesday. I’m thinking I’ll take the opportunity to fence that day at UWF, but I told my coaches to call me in if they’re short handed since the two practices will be close by. It would be kind of funny to show up in my fencing gear to Krav!

Day 23

Today I went to practice and helped teach. I did my official lunges before class and while Nik was explaining hand position.

I also did lunges and basic footwork with my students. Sometimes I go to the front and help teach, but I like being in the ranks with everyone else to show that even if you’ve been doing this for a few years, it’s always good to go over the fundamentals.

The shoulder is okay. Lowering the target helps. My quads are still tight. I stopped to stretch frequently. I think this tightening might be causing me to narrow my stance a bit. I don’t know how much this change will impact my fencing. More on that later, I suppose.

Krav was rewarding but brutal today. I think my attempts to improve my running have only fatigued me and tightened my legs up so far. In addition to fighting and yoga, I spent some time on the elliptical twice last week. I guess I need to slow down or do something else for cardio. I’m also going to add more rigorous stretching no matter what I do. I always stretch before activity. Apparently I’m not doing enough.

As always, if anyone out there knows good stretches for the quadriceps, I’m open to suggestions. My calves could probably use some love too.