Improving flexibility with Yoga....? (for martial arts)

[sidicks]

Does anyone on here have any experience of yoga as a means of improving flexibility?

About a year ago, I read a thread that someone else placed on here regarding recommendations for Karate in the Tunbridge wells area.

I decided to follow the advice, joined Tunbridge Wells Shotokan Karate club, and have been training 3 days a week now under the guidance of Sensei Mick Foster - yesterday I passed my 4th grading to be awarded my 6th Kyu (Green belt).

Although my flexibility has improved somewhat (very poor initially!) I am concerned that my lack of suppleness is likely to become more of a barrier to progression into the senior grades as I can't kick as high and as strongly as I would like, due to my joints being very rigid.

To this end, I've wondered about focussing one day a week purely on exercises to improve flexibility, and have been advised that Yoga could really help with this.

I know there are numerous types of yoga, so if anyone has any views about which type would be best (or would recommend an alternative approach to help with flexibility) then I'd be interested to hear your advice. Any recommendations for practitioners in or near Tunbridge wells, would also be helpful!

Cheers

Sidicks

[Lost_BMW]

You might find this site interesting;

http://www.elasticsteel.com/

I've one of the DVDs and am using the stuff in it and on the site to get my hamstrings and hips looser.

[Highway Star]

I did yoga for around 2 years and it really did help with my flexibility. When I first started I couldn't reach my ankles when bending forward from the waist whilst standing and keeping my legs straight. After a few months of a couple of classes a week, I could reach the floor again and eventually was able to get my hands flat on it. It really helped with the flexibility in my hips and groin area.

I would suggest as you sound quite inflexible that you would be suited to a gentle type of yoga to start with - hatha yoga would be good, rather than something like ashtanga which can be quite stressful on the body. Though if you do go to a hatha class, be prepared to be the only bloke in a room full of middle aged women!

British Wheel of Yoga should be able to put you in touch with a good teacher in your area.