Questions on Body Mechanics

[camotheman]

Hey all, I’ve been doing some research into power generation and how all the different terms fit together. In my research, some of these topics have conflicting meanings or even the same explanations regarding different terms and topics. 

In your opinion, how do Gamaku, Hara, Tanden, Koshi, and Chinkuchi all fit together? How do you define each term? How do you incorporate these into your own karate training? How does your style view these different concepts?

Thanks! Happy 25th!

[Spartacus Maximus]

Gamaku is an Okinawan language term for the abdominal belt area muscles.These are used to generate power and maintain the connection between upper and lower body. Without this internal stability, force cannot be transferred effectively from the ground into a strike. 

Tanden/Hara is Japanese and simply means the belly or lower abdomen where the body’s centre of balance is located. Using the body’s natural centre is a key concept in many martial arts. Balance and stability are essential for power. 

Chinkuchi refers to ´short power’ in Okinawan. Again this is just their name for it as the idea did/does exist in other arts developed by other cultures far and wide. Chinkuchi is a sudden burst of focused force exploding outward into a technique. This requires one to be relaxed and tensing at the last moment(somewhat like a sneeze). It refers to optimal alignment of muscles, bones joints and tendons in a stable and strong yet flexible stance. This is how a skilled karateka can strike with the full force of 100% bodyweight instead of only the weight of an arm or a leg. 

Koshi is Japanese and this concept is more common and emphasized in non-Okinawan karate. The word refers to the hips or hip area(pelvis). In karate it is used in the transfer of power generated by the body’s mechanics and correct alignment. 
 

All of these concepts can be practised and applied in training with conscious and focused drills. With the guidance of an instructor, take the time to actually find and feel what correct alignment/mechanics/movments feels like. Always do it very slowly and do not speed up until each concept can be done at will without having to think of how. Once grasped, practise applying it by striking a kick shield or similar equipment. Ideally the target should be held by someone who knows how the strike should feel. 

When correctly executed, techniques using these concepts feel totally different from when they are done without/incorrectly. 

[camotheman]

9 minutes ago, Spartacus Maximus said:

Once grasped, practise applying it by striking a kick shield or similar equipment. Ideally the target should be held by someone who knows how the strike should feel. 

What are your thoughts on using a makiwara to practice these concepts? 

[Spartacus Maximus]

With great caution and proper guidance as well as an adequate level of prior conditioning a makiwara or other similar striking equipment can be a useful tool. 

It would be best as higher step in training a concept like using chinkuchi. So most beneficial only after mastering the mechanics and being able to apply them consistently. In addition, before testing it on a hard surface target like a makiwara, one should ideally be conditioned enough to do it without injuring whatever part is used to strike. 

On the other hand, makiwara are tools meant for developing correct alignment. They are also meant for conditioning, which requires repetitive striking of moderate intensity over time. Makiwara were never intended nor designed to be struck full force. That would destroy a useful tool in short order and defeat its purpose. Many skilled people are indeed able to break a makiwara, but any such equipment especially modern versions are too valuable to break them on purpose or have them break after a few full force hits

[Spartacus Maximus]

Also the reason why a kick shield held by a capable senior or instructor is best, is that they will be able to feel your techniques when they hit the target.

Then they will be able tell you when your mechanics are correct. With that through trial you will learn to know when it is correct. You will yourself be able to feel when it is right and learn how to adjust it. At first this will be slow and need conscious effort, but after a while(individually unique) it will be like learning to ride a bicycle: not everyone mastered it at the same age or speed, but once learned it is automatic and done without having to remember how to do each action involved every time. 

This is the long and boring part of karate because each of those concepts mentioned are impossible to learn and master to a usable degree in less than a few years and thousands of hours of repetitive training.