New to Kendo!

[UnimportantHero]

If you are hyper-extending anything you are probably doing it wrong, a good way to practice is by doing it on a bed/pillow/cushion until you get more used to it.

Well. I mean hyper-extending the ankles so that they are flat on the ground when in seiza. Ankles and shins are flush against the floor like in this picture here. When the angle of the ankle is 180 degrees, that is an actual anatomical hyper-extention, like when a ballerina goes on toe point, her ankles are hyper-extended. I did not mean the sort that people refer to as injuries. I personally cannot help but hyper-extend.... well... everything, due to hypermobility syndrome. Elbows, knees, ankles, wrists, fingers, and shoulder blades. Everything but my spine. It is certainly proving to be an obstacle in kendo, but a fun one to gradually overcome.

[IronWarrior]

Is there any other exercises, other then said before that I could also do to work on my knee's because that's where the most pain is coming from, I just don't seem to have the flexibility to enter seiza.

From reading about seiza, it will take a long time for me to do it proper, but should I train at home and when am at the Dojo ask if I can sit crosslegs till am able to do seiza?

At the moment, anytime I try to enter seiza, I flap around like a fish out of water. :P

/been trying Seiza on the bed for about 5 or so minutes, testing my limits on how far I can strench and move.

[UnimportantHero]

Try old fashioned toe touches, but you really should be able to bend your knees so that your calves are touching your thighs. If you are having difficulties with that, you might actually need to see an orthopedist. Have you ever had knee surgery before, that could have maybe caused some scar tissue?

[IronWarrior]

Try old fashioned toe touches, but you really should be able to bend your knees so that your calves are touching your thighs. If you are having difficulties with that, you might actually need to see an orthopedist. Have you ever had knee surgery before, that could have maybe caused some scar tissue?

Nope, all prefectly fine, just haven't moved or execised like this since 2002.

I can only bend them from what I can only say.. is a large V between the back of my legs and my bum. I been thinking about visiting a doctor, but don't know how long that take because I just moved, my registered doctor is at my old area. I try some toe touches and warm up execises that I learned many years ago at College.

Next week, I ask the guys at the Dojo to have a look at me and see what they think, maybe in time.. I can bend that far, but even if my life was at risk, there is no way I can sit like this.