Warrior Wellness Intermediate - Fingers

[Coach Flanagan]

I'm having trouble visually figuring out what direction the waves are going in. Do both start from the fingers pointed and extended(as in giving a high 5) and differ by the direction of the wave, I.E Inside wave on the index finger angled towards middle finger and outside wave waving towards thumb. Or Is waving Out starting in pointed and in flexion and waving to pointed and extended? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Sean

[kcsportsdoc]

Hi Sean!

Let me give this one a shot. The "waving" action of the fingers begins in the first knuckle joint (the metacarpo-phalangeal joint or "MCP"). You can recruit some wrist extension to begin the move, though I personally like to isolate the individual fingers and thumb because I require a lot of manual dexterity in my line of work. You begin by extending each knuckle so that the finger straightens and elongates, then the MCP joint flexes, followed closely thereafter by the Proximal Inter-Phalangeal Joint ("PIP" joint) (aka the knuckle you knock on doors with), and then the Distal Inter-Phalangeal Joint (the "DIP" joint). When all fingers wave in this manner simultaneously as they do in the Advanced level, it resembles the hand movements of a hula dancer. Or, at the risk of using another Stooges metaphor, it looks like Curly's "talk to the hand" move.

Then, you simply reverse the process. Pull the finger into flexion and "push away" into extension, joint by joint.

To try to explain simply, imagine the inward wave as pulling a coin toward you (if your hand was positioned flat on a table) with one finger and the outward wave is pushing that same coin away.

I hope that didn't confuse you as much as it confused me. If so, just come over to Norwood and I'll show ya!!! Then we'll do some RMAX practice and swing the clubs around.

Best,

Kevin

[Coach Flanagan]

Cool. So it seems this waving movement is more 2 Dimensional than the Beginner circles(as it seems by Kevin's description, it doesnt move to either left or right side significantly). How does it increase 3 dimensional range of motion then?


Thanks
Sean

[kcsportsdoc]

I'll try my "hand" at this one too!

:lol:

The wave does not recover three-dimensional movement. Recovery occurs in the beginning phase of Warrior Wellness. The wave begins the process of coordinating the movement of these joints. Recover, Coordinate, then Refine the movement.

When you've recovered your movement in the fingers and hands, then begin to coordinate that movement with the wave.

*in Senor Wences' voice*

S'all right? S'all right!

Kevin

[Coach Flanagan]

Ok cool. I feel as though I've recovered the range of motion, however there are still kinks in it in my left pinky area(Persistent Tendontis for oh so many years). Do you think waves would be able to alleviate this tendonitis or should I utilize both circles and waves at this point? I feel I can perform the waves skillfully at this point but if circles would be more beneficial for this problem, I'm certainly willing to do both.

Thanks for the help Kevin,
Sean

[kcsportsdoc]

It's a pleasure to be of assistance, my friend. 8)

I do just what you're saying all the time. Drop into the basic circle pattern to continue and maintain the process of recovery. It's like returning to the touchstone. There's no hurry.

Sometimes our coordination outpaces our recovery of lost mobility. It's easy enough to be wooed by our urge to progress faster. As the saying goes, "you can't push the river".

Best,

Kevin

[Chuck Kechter]

Sean,

Having broken both my pinky knuckles. . . I continually use both, circles and waves. Recovery--for me--is continual, if I stop for more than a few days, I can feel the "hitches" in the movement.

Wait till you go from coordination to refinement and start the infinities. . . :wink:

[KEVIN TEAGLE]

I realize this sounds a little weird, but when I have a busy schedule at the office followed by some time spent in the music studio,

I do my waves and basic finger circles in water.

The stimulation is very relaxing and I pay attention to flow.

Hey Kevin, I love the river analogy, I live next to the famous Rogue River in Southern Oregon, and that is some river. White, frothy and mean.

Dr. Teagle

[Scott Sonnon]

Warrior Wellness in water is good medicine all around.

[Coach Gostnell]

Warrior Wellness™ in water is good medicine all around.

Yes, last summer I was doing that in our little pool. Also TKD forms just for yucks.

When trying to regain some independent movement in the fingers, in addition to WW hand exercises I discovered a little thing I call "The Piano". Lay palm flat on a level surface and, beginning w/ the thumb, raise each digit straight up, 3-5 reps each. Try to keep the others flat & relaxed and not "following along." Then, and this is where it gets cute, flip the hand over flat on its back and repeat.

Circles would be the Advanced move.