[nbotary]

Man, oh man, I can see the jokes flying left and right... !!!

In addition to the above mentioned stretches, I've got two stretches that may work for you - one from my days as a sprinter and the second from Bloodybirds. For the sake of simplicity, I'll use the right side for the stretch...

1. Find a place that has some sort of a step at least 12" or higher. Raise your leg and place your right foot on top of the step and keep your left leg on the ground. Keep your head up, shoulders back and back straight. Now, slide your left foot and leg back behind you and shift your weight onto your right leg - MAKE SURE YOUR KNEE GOES STRAIGHT OVER YOUR TOE!!! As you shift your weight forward, try and "sink" into the center of the stretch by making your right thigh parallel or slitghtly below parallel with the ground and your left leg fully extended behind you. If you have done this properly, it will look like you are doing lunges and your glutes will be stretched where they tie into your hamstrings. Hold for 15-30 seconds and repeat on the other side. Do this at least twice per leg.

2. Begin by sitting on the floor as if you were about to perform the "butterfly" stretch - on your butt, feet together and drawn into the groin. Extend your left leg out in front of you and rotate it around and behind you. Your right leg will not have changed its position!!! Your left leg is now behind you with the top of your left thigh in contact with the floor as well as your knee and the top of your left foot. Slowly press down on your right leg and try to place the outside of your right leg on the floor. Slowly bend forward at the waist and gently begin putting your chest on your right leg. If you have done this properly, it will look like you are laying down on your right thigh with your left leg behind you. You should feel a stretch more on the "meat" and/or the outside of the back of the leg. Hold for 15-30 seconds and repeat on the other side. Do this at least twice per leg.

Hopefully these will help...

[zefff]

Originally Posted by dscott

OK......if you start out in the position pictured, keep your right leg in the same position and move your left leg so that it's outstretched behind you. Then, try to lay forward and touch the ground. I'm not sure if you understand this or not but it's a great stretch for the butt, hamstring and lower back.

You mean the position is like you freeze framed olympic hurdling? ....that really busts my groin out...good stretch though!

BTW My link works fine for me???

[dscott]

Originally Posted by zefff

You mean the position is like you freeze framed olympic hurdling? ....that really busts my groin out...good stretch though!

BTW My link works fine for me???

No it's not like that. You're stretch has your right leg bent out. Mine has it bent in. Basically it's like the picture I showed, except the left leg is stretch straight out back instead of straight out front.

[zefff]

Ahh yes I get you now, not done that in a while but it is a good glute stretch.

Doh!...actually, I do it everyday without thinking.

[samurai6string]

Thanks guys, :P

That day was a total reality check that I'm not 18 anymore. But I was surprised that I could still drain the 3's, and get the 'ole George Gervin finger roll going. (Self agrandising moment, sorry lol )

I was doing the seated floor twist before in my "short" stretch routine, but more for my back than glutes, I see now though how I can put more emphasis back there. I've gotta start stretching better I guess, now that I'm closer to 30 than 20.

[Bloodybirds]

Samurai, first my condolences on what your great state is going through. As far as stretching, I get up every morning and stretch for 30 minutes besides ab and chest work before work. I will tell you at age 48 I can still drop in a split or kick high, but now it is for health as well as martial. There are things you can do to maintain without being a rubber band. Heavy leg training, and remembering that true flexibility comes from waist/hip/lower back pliability is the key! The legs follow the other things and remember to breathe into the stretch and hold, just like in a technique.

Hope that helps.

[samurai6string]

BB & others- thanks for the condolences, I've always thought people on this board were stand up guys and gals all around. But...I live in the state of West Virginia and Virginia Tech is in the state of Virginia. I think the confusion lies in the fact that VT in Blacksburg is described as being located in "south west Virginia," not to be mistaken for "south West Virginia," but thanks all the same. There are several students from this region that go to that school, but as of right now I am not aware of if any of the victims of this horrible act are from my region or not, either way my heart goes out to them and their families............

And thanks for the tips.