Kiah Shouts

[joesteph]

As I am currently learning, Joe, there are some sub-conscious reactions that go on to "move the mind"...

[A] simple focused (and even disciplined) shout works well...

Are you referring to physical benefits from the kihap, Josh? My instructor's teacher is big on balancing tension and relaxation, and she's maintained that the kihap given in our hyungs work to release tension from the body at the times selected in those hyungs.

[tenshinka]

That was not what I was referring to Joe, but that is a valid point also, especially with the Chunga Ryu forms of Soo Bahk Do...

[joesteph]

On Tuesday and Thursday nights, my Soo Bahk Do dojang becomes a dojo for Judo, starting after the regular time karate classes end. The Sensei gets there a bit early, and I have my adult classes on Thursdays and Fridays, so we cross paths one day of the week.

He happened to have gotten there earlier than usual, so he watched much more of our class than he normally would have. At the end of class, I said hello to one of his Judo students that I know, and she introduced me to him. He complemented me on my "kiai," saying he enjoyed hearing a good one. He's apparently done different martial arts, and noted that the majority of students don't really bellow it out; they're heard, but he loves a good loud one.

[bushido_man96]

A good kihap/kiai should come from the gut; not from the throat. If it comes from the throat, then it is just yelling.

[joesteph]

A good kihap/kiai should come from the gut; not from the throat.

When it just comes from the throat, it can sound like a screech; not exactly very "martial." And someone with a higher voice can make it sound martial, just by where the kiai/kihap comes from.

From the gut is on the mark, Bushido Man.

[Wa-No-Michi]

I don't think I could keep a straight face in class if I shouted the word "pizza"

But seriously, whatever works for you and your instructor approves, by all means use it. I find the "kiah" shout really helps me when I am nervous about performing kata or if I am sparring and I score a point...shouting "kiah" releases the nervous energy besides its other uses. When I'm in a tournament competing in forms, I've been told my "kiah's" are louder than normal. I know it's my nervous energy being released.

I agree it is important to develop a good Kiai.

For those interested, "Kiai" is a compound of two Japanese words:

Ki=Energy (spirit) Ai = Harmony (as in Aiki-do)

In traditional Japanese Jujutsu there are official words that should be used:

Kyup (sounds like cup) - When initiating the attack

Toh (sounds like toe) - when you are receiving an attack / retreating, and

Ya (Japanese for arrow) - when you perform the final blow.

If you watch a Kendo bout you will hear these sounds.

[joesteph]

I find the "kiah" shout really helps me when I am nervous about performing kata or if I am sparring and I score a point...shouting "kiah" releases the nervous energy besides its other uses.

For those interested, "Kiai" is a compound of two Japanese words:

Ki=Energy (spirit) Ai = Harmony (as in Aiki-do)

I found this at a web site called "Martial Arts of Korea" - http://www.hapkiyoosool.com - under a section about ki:

[T]he word "ki-hap" or "ki-ai" defines the harmony which is created during the yell, between the energies of the mind and body. Were you to try, you would find it quite difficult to focus your mind on anything other than the technique you are performing in association with the "ki-hap." This is good! It means that your whole 'being' is sub-consciously coordinating all of the activities and thoughts necessary to generate a maximum amount of power with that technique. (emphasis added)

This seems to be a psychological interpretation of the kiai/kihap.

[Wa-No-Michi]

Of course, you can perfom Kiai's without actually shouting.

[bushido_man96]

I agree. A forceful exhale will do very nicely.

[joesteph]

I received a newletter email from Iain Abernethey's web site, and it referred to an online magazine downloadable for free. The magazine is called Jessen, and there were three of them. The first issue has within it an interesting article on the kiai, titled "Kiai: The Fading Cry of the Martial Artist," by James Clubb.

The article goes into translations, types of kiai, thoughts by the great samurai Mushashi (A Book of Five Rings), and a contemporary martial artist, Geoff Thompson.

The URL is:

http://www.iainabernethy.com/Jissen_Magazine.asp

Interesting reading. And just one of the articles in that first issue.