Stretching
Few physical attributes are as important in Taekwondo practise as flexibility.  While it may be perfectly easy to throw kicks to the legs, knees, and groin without developing great reach, Taekwondo goes far beyond these basic defensive targets, extending  its range of targets to the midsection and head. Most of the kicks we practise are in fact not aimed at the target areas of the lower body but instead the head, kidneys, and adbomen.

Students coming to Taekwondo later in life may have more difficulty gaining flexibility, but even they learn that it it possible to throw high-section kicks with grace, speed, and power.  Frequent stretching is the key, and the correct positioning combined with regular practise will be far more effective in producing long supple muscle fiber than with sporadic stretching sessions or incorrect method.  If at all possible, try and sttch at regular intervals outside the dojang.

A fifteen minute stretch first thing in the morning, when the body is still stiff from sleep, can do wonders for the flexibility, even if it isn't possible to reach full extension.
Various Stretches

Touch the Toes
Back Arch
Standing Groin Stretch
Hip Stretch
Hip and Hamstring
Groin Stretch
Groin Hamstring, and Hip Stretch / Straddle Split
Front Splits
Butterfly Stretch
Single Hamstring Stretch
Hurdle Stretch
Gluteus Stretch
Double Hamstring Stretch
Double Hamstring / Calf Stretch
Final Hamstring / Groin Stretch
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1