Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

Power Grunting - Performance Improving? 28-Feb-2011 At 11:50:57 AM PDRM

Message

wikipaste

"In martial arts, the term commonly refers to a short exhalation (not as yell) before or during a strike or technique. Korean martial arts may call this sound a Yatz or Kihap (기합). In bujutsu (Japanese arts of war), it is usually linked to an inner gathering of energy released in a single explosive focus of will. Students of Japanese martial arts such as aikido, karate, Kobudo, kendo or judo (or related arts such as taiko drumming) do not 'use', but rather allow, ones Ki to emanate from their Tanden (Hara) while executing a technique. It also erroneously refers to the shout that accompanies some techniques when performing kata. Kiaijutsu is at times thought to be the Japanese art of using kiai when performing martial arts. More accuratly Kiai and Aiki co-exist in all Japanese Martial Arts

The proper use of kiaijutsu involves concentrating on the use of one's ki more than it does shouting. A sound is just an audible indication of good kiai (aligned body structure, focused intent, and good breathing). Kiai can be a silent;[1] coordination of breath with activity. A relaxed and powerful exhalation can add power to movement. This may be more accurately referred to as kokyu power. Kokyu and kiai are sometimes used interchangeably. The term kokyu, most often translated as breath power in English, is essentially the same as Chinese nei jin. It is the ability to coordinate breathing with the execution of a jin movement which is important.

The noise from a kiai is said to arise from the hara or dantien-Chinese: it involves the abdominal muscles and diaphragm and should not be sounded merely from the throat.[2]

As well as the above, the kiai can be used to:

* prime oneself for combat, by "amping up."
* protect the upper body from a strike by providing an escape route for exhaled air.
* protect the lower body by rapidly contracting the transverse abdominals and other core muscles, shielding the internal organs.
* provide solid abdominal support for striking techniques.
* startle and demoralize inexperienced or shy adversaries — especially at close quarters, especially if previously unobserved."