Hojo Undo
: Part 2 of 2 Parts
CHI-SHI
The techniques of
the chi-shi were first introduced to me by, Imtiaz Abdullah Sensei. I was immediately
hooked on this wonderful, versatile and
yet so simple an implement. At the Jundokan So Hombu Dojo in Naha Okinawa,
I would often train with the chi-shi (and other traditional Okinawan
hojo undo implements) under the guidance of Yasuda Sensei. The chi-shi
consists of a concrete weight attached to an end of a wooden handle
(similar to a lollipop). I
am convinced that if I take a chi-shi into a modern health club and tell them about
the capabilities of this implement, I will be laughed at and asked to
leave. It may not look like much, but boy, let me tell you it is the
bomb! Chi-shi training
is also extremely vital to Okinawa Karate-Doh Goju Ryu. It should be
used side by side with the practice of Sanchin and Tensho Kata. Correct
use of the chi-shi will improve muscle tone, strength in the fingers,
hands, arms and chest (amongst many other parts of the body), however
these are only the external benefits. The ligaments and cartilage of the
wrist, elbows and shoulder joints will also benefit from this form of
training. Initially, I mentioned 'correct use of the chi-shi', as
incorrect use will definitely cause great damage, which could become
permanent. Jerky movements and using too heavy a chi-shi can contribute
to this disaster. Good posture and correct techniques are important, and
should never be sacrificed for an increased number of repetition. The
shoulders should be kept on a horizontal plane despite the weight being
asserted to one side. I often practice with the chi-shi using
Shiko-dachi. This helps me keep the hips low thereby aiding my balance.
The movements should be performed in a deliberate and slowish way,
similar to the movements in Sanchin Kata (with muchimi).
What might not be
apparent when watching a person using the chi-shi, is the strong grip
required in the wrist and hands. Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-Doh relies
heavily on gripping, grabbing and tearing techniques, therefore the
necessity for good strength in the arms, wrist, hands and fingers. At
the completion of a movement the grip should be tightened, focused and
sustained for a short while. This grip/release grip action will
stimulate the muscles of the arms, wrist, hands and fingers. When moving
the chi-shi to different angles, focus that grip at those angles as well
as this will improve you grip even at unusual angles and directions.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN
CHI-SHI AT HOME
This is my own recipe, but I am sure that many also use a similar
technique in constructing your own chi-shi.
What you
need:
- a round cake
tin about 10 centimeters deep
- a wooden dowel
(stick) about 40 centimeters long
- about 3 fairly
long steel nails
- some plastic
sheeting
- cement/concrete
mix
What to do:
- drive the nails
through the dowels until the nail protrudes on either side (this is done
so as to bind the wood to the cement)
- line the inside
of the cake tin with the plastic and pour the fresh cement into it (make
sure that there are no spaces on the sides - the tin must be completely
filled)
- push the dowel
all the way into the cement making sure that it is centralized and
perpendicular (90 degrees) to the cake tin
- allow the
cement to completely harden then slowly and carefully remove the
hardened mix from the cake tin
- behold a
traditional chi-shi!
Make sure that:
- the dowel
(stick) is thick enough and strong enough to support the weight of the
hardened cement
- the nails
driven through the dowels completely protrude at both ends of the dowel
- you check the
condition of your chi-shi BEFORE every workout with them and put them
down very carefully after using them
NIGIRI-GAME
As mentioned
previously, Okinawa Karate-Doh Goju Ryu relies heavily on gripping,
grabbing and tearing techniques, and another device that is wonderful in
these aspects in the nigiri-game, or gripping jar. Using this implement
while stepping in Sanchin, Zenkutsu, Shiko or Neko Ashi Dachi also
assists the lower body and posture. The lip of the jar is gripped with
all the fingers and the thumb is actually positioned underneath the lip
(tip of thumb pointing backwards in your direction). A good exercise is
to step in Sanchin dachi, root yourself then list the nigiri-game in
front of you until it is horizontal to the ground, hold it out there
then roll the wrist around turning the nigiri-game around, return the
wrist to the original position then slowly bring it down to your side,
then step forward and repeat with the other hand. As with the chi-shi
all movements should be done with a deliberate movement (muchimi) and
not with jerky movements.
The
Breathing
With all the above
devices, a major aspect has not been mentioned as yet, THE BREATH! All
the movements must be co-ordinated with the breathing. An example with
the chi-shi; breath in on lifting actions, hold the breath and focus on
the grip, then breath out with the return action. The breathing must be
done slowly, deliberately and in conjunction with the movement of the
chi-shi. Again, I must mention Sanchin Kata and it's relevance to
everything in Okinawa Karate-Doh Goju Ryu.
CLICK
HERE FOR IN-DEPTH ARTICLES SANCHIN KATA
Selected
Bibliography
Traditional Karatedo Okinawa Goju Ryu Book #1 by Higaonna Morio
Roots: The Harry
Cook Column in Terry O'Neill's Fighting Arts International No.69
Phil Snewin's
Column in Traditional Karate Vol. 11 No. 10
Goju Ryu Related
Articles by John Porta in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts Vol. 5 No. 2
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