Flexibility

[FooFighter]

I made a purchase today at DragonDoor for Relax into Stretch, Forced Relaxation, Fast & Loose, and Loaded Stretching DVDs. I sold off the books I had on Pavel, but I rarely sell off DVDs. I think joint-mobility and flexibility is important for me now. I am more determined to go deeper into my flexibility so I can perform better at my own Bodyflow and CST practices. The investment cost me $131.80, but I sure I wil make it back up. I will let you guys know if it was worth the investment for me.

Cheers,
Bao

[stricker]

Jeeez dude thats a hefty wad of cash, why not just get one at a time??

the relax into stretch book is floating around on some p2p networks in pdf form, as well as the 'super joints' dvd.

or, why not just get a yoga teacher? real life teachers are oooh about mmm say 100x, yup i think 100 times better than learning from a book or video.

[Ford Prefect]

It's too bad Pavel stopped selling his Beyond Stretching book. That covered the topics in Relax into Stretch and Fast and Loose. Relax into stretch is decent, but if you have the Warrior Wellness stuff then Fast and Loose isn't that great. Hell if you don't have the Warrior Wellness stuff, then Fast and Loose isn't that great. Both are overpriced for the content though, but that's par for the course in most of the "secret Russian information" stuff. I'm not sure if you're familiar with contract-relax stretching or shutdown threshold isometrics. If you are, then you won't glean much useful information at all besides some stretch variations.

[FooFighter]

Stricker,

I am a full time CST instructor. Investing in good Fitness/health sources and knowledge is part of my passion and business. Money invested in physical excellence is never a waste in my opinion. People who pay me to train them should have the faith that I am keeping up to date to date with the latest facts and fads in the market. I work inside the largest health clubs in NYC area also with others fitness and health professionals; a few are yoga specialists. I have learned yoga from some talents instructors in the NYC area and have trained with awesome strength/martial arts coaches in this area as well. You are right learning from someone is better than learning from a book, but I think I can absorb the materials much easier than most people. I use dto own Pavel's flexibility books but sold it. Pavel's materials are great stuff. I am more a visual learner and have an eye for studying movements. Studying Pavel's performance and visualizing his techniques might help me to improve my flexibility. Mind you, I have the basic understanding of Pavel's principles already, but doing it another story.

[FooFighter]

It's too bad Pavel stopped selling his Beyond Stretching book. That covered the topics in Relax into Stretch and Fast and Loose. Relax into stretch is decent, but if you have the Warrior Wellness stuff then Fast and Loose isn't that great. Hell if you don't have the Warrior Wellness stuff, then Fast and Loose isn't that great. Both are overpriced for the content though, but that's par for the course in most of the "secret Russian information" stuff. I'm not sure if you're familiar with contract-relax stretching or shutdown threshold isometrics . If you are, then you won't glean much useful information at all besides some stretch variations.

Ford,

Thanks for the intel. Yes, of course, I own Warrior Wellness. LOL. I was curious about Fast and Loose program. In any case, these DVDs will be a good reference tools for my clients. Oh yes, I think I know a little bit about contract-relax stretching or shutdown threshold isometrics. In any case, I do not mind support that EVIL Russian. This Sunday I will be Steve Maxwell's academy for a Flow seminar with Coach Sonnon. Never met Steve, but I am sure I will learn something. Be well, my friend.

[Chief Fox]

I've got Thomas Kurz's DVD "Stretching Scientifically". It's not bad but it looks like it was prduced in the 1980's. Kinda cheesy.

I'm sure you know this but I'll go ahead and say it anyway. Be careful not to over do it. I over did it a bit and ended up pulling some muscles. Nothing severe but enough to make me stop strechting for about 2 months. Surprisingly, I didn't loose much flexibility.

Good luck, looking forward to your updates.

[FooFighter]

Chief,

Thanks for the advice. I have Thomas Kurz's book but not his video/dvd. Good stuff in any case. I will not over do it. I promise. I am lazy by nature.

[anerlich]

Be careful not to over do it. I over did it a bit and ended up pulling some muscles. Nothing severe but enough to make me stop strechting for about 2 months. Surprisingly, I didn't loose much flexibility.

Similar thing happened to me. Hasten slowly.

[FooFighter]

My report:

First I think Relax into Stretch and Force relaxation DVDs are top notch DVDs which has helped me to unlock some trouble spots for me. It has enhanced my personal practice of CST/RMAX. Watching Pavel cleared up many ideas in his RIS/FR book as well. Watching him move is far better than reading the book and studying the static pictures. I would recommend getting the DVDs than getting his book if you want to apply it quickly. But if your geek who want to know why it works then the book is for you to read and study. I highly recommend these products.

Fast and Loose DVD was okay. It was reharshed movements and exercises that I have already known from studying with Scott Sonnon. I perfer RMAX's Fistcuffs series over Fast and Loose, but for someone who has no idea of Russian method of Vibration exercises or active relaxtion exercise to release unneccessary tension, then this would be good for hobbist bodybuilder and powerlifter.

Load Stretchinf DVD was interested. There plenty of arguments of doing stretching before lifting. But this DVD has actually increased my Clubbell performance. This DVD is not for beginners tho because it can be very very very dangerous for those who do not have a solid strength and conditioning background. I shall use this technique for future compeition to earn my master in sports in CST.

Namaste,
Bao

PS: If you guys are interested in a basic introduction to CST/RMAX methodology, then Intu-flow is a great new flagship product which combines all materials such as Warrior Wellness, Bodyflow, Prime your Energy, and clubbells. Intu-flow comes with two mini clubbells (5lbers) and three DVDs and two posters.