It is very important to build your core muscles for kendo. We have to have a good kiai that is not just a loud voice. We have to squeeze our abs to have really a good kiai. We can strengthen our abs by practicing kiai but Sometimes we do have to train our abs. This is one way.
I don’t see what they are doinig. Do they lift their knees or are they on the ground? Perhaps you should put in a picture of the position, so it becomes clear what you mean exactly.
Thank you for your advice. Knees are off the ground. Just the toes are touching on the floor. Contract abs without sticking out your stomach or lifting your buttocks up.Simple but effective.
About how long should one maintain this position? Also, do you have any other videos, or positions used for exercise? Thank you for uploading these, by the way.
Thanks for your question! In the video, we did it for one min. But you should do as long as you can. However, if you have your bottom lifted, it will become very easy and you can do it for a long time. Time yourself how long you can do it. Let’s say you can do it for 1 min. Maintain that for 1 min. And you will feel easier then try to do it for 1.5 min. And keep making it longer. Hope this helps!
After first seeing this video a couple of months ago, I began doing the exercise regularly, gradually increasing the time of holding position. It is definitely effective for building the core, and arms and upper body too. In fact, it is the only thing I’ve added to my daily regimen in that time, but i’ve had people who know me ask if i’d been ‘hitting the gym’ when seeing me – an unexpected bonus.
In regard to the video itself, Imafuji Sensei’s verbal explanations are clear as to what is to be done, but one or two of the students shown were having some trouble holding position, apparently leading to some confusion. Let’s pay attention to the teacher, not students who are trying the exercise for the first time… 🙂
Thank you for your comment and advice! Very nice advice! This exercise is very simple yet very effective. I am glad that it helps you 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thank you. This exercise improve resistance ?
Can you tell me what resistance you are talking about in a little more detail, please?
Please help me understand more: I note the students weapons are grounded to their right side, not left. Is that a normal practice – and why?
Second: Regarding the grounding of swords – over the years I have been given two different pieces of advice as to what direction the blade edge should face whilst the sword is laying on the ground. One instructor was adamant the blade back was nearest the user (to prevent an attacker cutting the user with his own sword); the other, that the back of the blade would be away from the user, thus sharp edge nearest (no reason given). In your opinion, what is correct – and why.
My apologies for such a big question! (unfortunately, I have many of them..) Kind regards, Td
Hi Td. Thanks for your question.
1. I don’t know about any other martial arts other than kendo and iaido. Having said that, in kendo, we place our bokuto on our right hand side with the blade facing toward us. Placing the sword on the right hand side facing the blade toward us means that we don’t have any intention to draw out our sword.
You place your sword on your left hand side with the blade facing out, then you have intention to draw out. So they are nonverbal expressions.
With the shinai, we place it on the left hand side. I think it is because we know we are going to fight/practice once we sit with the shinai. But some say it is because kendo simplified the etiquette. I personally want to place the shinai on the left side as well but International Kendo Federation regulated that the shinai should be placed on the left side of the practitioner, as far as I remember. So that is why. Hope these help!
hi! is there any other excersise that i should do to improve? like a routine or something? regardless of the kendo practice.
That is a hard one. I would say work on your lower body a lot more than your upper body.Lunges, squats, sprint. These are good exercises.