As the great Bruce Lee said it: Work with your limitations, not against them.
Unless you are a kid (relatively speaking, in my mid 20s I didn't have any of these problems...) things are stiffer, hurt quicker and heal longer. Fact of life. You want to kick up to and stretch just pass your limit. Trust me, with regular workouts it gets better! Just don't force the issue.
Also, make sure your form is correct! We are one-sided, nothing that can easily be fixed, but to do things right we have to make sure the technique is as perfect as we can possibly get it.
And last, I like to be early for class and stretch before, even though our program includes warm-up and stretches. it makes for a smoother start. When I do hurt, gentle stretching seems to help a lot, just enough to flex the muscles. and then I have days where I can fold myself up like it was nothing, other times I can barely reach my toes...
Also, make sure you have plenty of electrolytes in your system. Lack off potassium and magnesium can lead to cramping and hurt muscles.
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