I started 8 Pieces of Brocade a couple months ago. I like it as a morning routine.
I've always like stretching, especially legs. In Two Hands Hold the Feet, I was able to go further and further down, and eventually was able to hold my forehead or nose to each knee somewhat comfortably for a second or two, starting at the 6th or 8th rep. I was working on touching knees at earlier reps and holding a little longer over time. The initial bow centering head between knees felt much deeper than when I started. As a result, I could easily tie my shoes in a simple forward bend, legs straight. I had built enough muscle tone to be able to squat and hold for daily activities much longer and much more comfortably than I've done in years. I do this routine most mornings.
At the holidays, I got the Long Fist Basic Sequences DVD. Now after 8/Brocade in the morning, at midday 3-5 days a week I started doing a routine ending with 4 Tan Tui, Horse Stance, and Mountain Climbing Stance (repetitions for 3-5 minutes each stance). After a while I'll do 4 more Tan Tui. The Crossed Leg Stance left my legs rubbery for hours, so I'll try to build more leg strength before adding.
Here's the problem. My legs have felt generally weaker, and my hamstrings in particular are sore. I can touch my head to my knees, but it takes longer to get to that point. It feels like a muscle pull, but not as deep and more widely spread, from top of the back leg to about 2/3 of the way to the knee.
Have I stretched the tissues too much? I think of an old rubber band or fabric that has been "stretched out" and lost its resilience. I've backed off my emphasis on touching my knees, but I'm not sure it's improving. What can I do to restore strength and elasticity besides less aggressive goals?
Regards,
Lew