your opinion

[Jason Kifner]

Hi Sifu,



So it seems that everytime I do handsprings, or really any acrobatics
for that matter, my lower back ends up feeling a little odd.  I
wouldn't say it hurts, but it's definitely not normal.  My
question to you is: will it help if I spend some time with lower back
strengthening exercises, or will it just strengthen naturally the more
handsprings I do?



By the way, last night's class was very productive and fun.  I
think Nelu is going to be doing back handsprings everywhere he goes
now.



Jason

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

Both would be good.  Isolate and train your lower-back with Flip-ups, Bridges and Stance Training.  Not just the Horse Stance... all of them.

The more you do handsprings (correctly)... the stronger you lower-back will become.  The process for getting your body to do what you want it to has a side-effect result of developing strength where it is needed to perform techniques.  That's why the Forms are not just for 'Muscle Memory' or 'Mental Sharpness'.  The practice of forms also condition your body so that you can actually do the techniques with more precision and strength (as needed).