Kiai - I don't like it - do you?

[Daryl]

My instructor insists that when I exectute a move I should shout, "Kiai" or "Kia". I prefer to just make a forced, "HUH!" or "HA!" or some other forced exhale of air. To me it seems that "Kia" is a two syllable word which feels awkward when executing a move that should end with a one syllable expulsion of air.

I have never seen a martial artist on tv shout, "KIA".

Why is this particular word so important? What do you prefer?

[ninjanurse]

Regardless of the actual word/articulation of the kihap the trick is to release the tension of the abdominal muscles (relaxation phase)-hence the emphasis on a two syllable word as it forces you to do this. A short one syllable word stops the diaphragm resulting in breath holding which interrupts your ki. This skill develops over time so it is not unreasonable to start students out with "kia" or "kiai".

[joesteph]

One syllable, but loooong in bellowing it out. "H" and a vowel sound work best for me. I never liked the "stutter" of the "k" in kiai! or kihap!

[bushido_man96]

I don't like to hear the word kiai or kihap when I hear a yell. It would be like using "yell" in English. Doesn't make sense.

[Daryl]

Thanks for your replies.

[The BB of C]

Just make sure it's a nice sounding exhale or kiat. Whichever you do. There's no need for the KKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! obnoxiousness.

[Lupin1]

I feel silly yelling anything... If I'm going to do a tension release thing, I'm going to do a grunt like in tennis. I don't like yelling.

[Soheir]

For us, it's told that it's wrong to yell "kiai", though some higher belts do yell pretty much something like that.. I prefer to yell just "HA", the usual..

But I'm not too comfortable to yell it eather, not yet, but I am getting there.

[shadowarrior]

you can use siai or sia

i like it more than kia

[sensei8]

Why is this particular word so important?

Because it's important to your instructor, and you're in class in his/her school. Ask the instructor...Why?

What do you prefer?

Any noise that comes out at that moment. When I was a white belt, I was taught to yell...KIAI, but every white belt was taught that at first. Our Dai-Soke could care less what the sound was, just as long as one understood the importance of the kiai.