Leg Exercises

      BY KELLY MACLEAN

Quadricep Exercises

Leg strength is very important for Wushu. The practice of Taiji helps to develop leg strength, but you may want to supplement your practice with some more exercises which I learned from Master Nick. Try twenty repetitions of each to start, without resting between. As far as the speed is concerned, a little faster than one repetition per second is about right.

Begin by sitting on the floor, feet together, legs straight, spine upright and handsbeside your thighs, or on top, but not behind you.

Lift left heel one inch off the floor, keeping your back straight. This is the starting positionof the exercise.

Now raise your leg higher, keeping the toe pointing upward, and your back straight.

Lower your foot to one inch off the floor again. Do not touch your heel to the floor until you have done twenty. Repeat on the other side.

The second part of the exercise is almost the same, except you start by sitting on the floor, feet together, legs straight and hands holding one foot. Keep your back as straight as possible. Lift the free foot one inch off the floor. Now raise the leg as high as possible, toes pointing upward. Lower your foot to one inch off the floor again. Do not touch your heel to the floor until you have done twenty. Repeat on the other side.