Shiko dachi - any advice for improving?

[AmbientFire]

Hi!

Just started working regularly on Seienchin, and realized quite immediately my shiko dachi needs some work of the serious variety. I was wondering - are there exercises or stretches I can do (in addition to shiko dachi itself) that improve the depth of the stance, and the stability? I understand that a shiko dachi that's ballet-deep isn't necessary for karate (I'm not Billy Elliot, am I?), but I'd like to have the option of improving the stance.

Thanks in advance!

[Spartacus Maximus]

Usually when stances or kicks are weak it is because the legs themselves are also weak. To improve this requires increasing leg strength and endurance by doing lower body exercises such as squats. These can be done without weights or with a barbell or dumbells. There are many other possibilities but any exercise targeting the legs will help.

For endurance, holding the stance for a few minutes works well. Before and above everything else, get a qualified instructor to make sure the shikodachi is sound, balanced and well aligned. Bad alignment will damage the knees over time. Once that is good, practise going up and down from a neutral position to a full shikodachi slowly holding each stage for a minute or so.

[AmbientFire]

Thank you for the advice!

[Spartacus Maximus]

Many karateka struggle with this, not just beginners either. It is a common mistake to neglect training and strengthening the lower body, but that is where a great portion of power is generated in karate and many other martial arts.

If the foundations are not firm and stable, none of the other techniques will work. It will take time and dedication before improvement shows. Nothing less than daily practise is necessary to yield tangible results.

[sensei8]

Pictures can be worth a thousand words! Therefore, check this out; it might help you...

http://www.karatebyjesse.com/5-ways-to-get-a-fantabulous-shiko-dachi-stance-looking-beyond-static-stretching/

Good luck; hopefully this will help you! Train hard and train well!!

[AmbientFire]

Pictures can be worth a thousand words! Therefore, check this out; it might help you...

http://www.karatebyjesse.com/5-ways-to-get-a-fantabulous-shiko-dachi-stance-looking-beyond-static-stretching/

Good luck; hopefully this will help you! Train hard and train well!!

I tried the first and last exercise out (was outside of dojo so no partner to train with at the time) and oh. boy. The last one ("like a stuck pick on a bench") exposed some serious weaknesses! I will definitely pay more attention to my legs, and stuck pigs!

[liger]

I would also have to recomend talking to your sensei about your issues. He can see how you are doing it and offer up advice to improve.

I do like the karate by Jesse article too.