6 Responses to “DojoChat Highlights: Balance”

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1. Birgit on September 23rd, 2008 7:34 am

   Good seeing you two again.

   Master Mike, when turning 360, should we slow down our turn in time to end up in a stance at 360? Or should we turn “full power” for the whole 360 and then try to suddenly stop by pulling to center “somehow”? I know that I ALWAYS have too much angular momentum and turn further than I want to. And my inner ear keeps spinning a little longer too.

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2. dhodge on September 25th, 2008 9:21 am

   Thank you Master Clay and fellow sanchinka. Currently, when I turn, I think of ’snapping’ the turn, usually by targeting knee placement during the step (therefore I know where my foot will fall). This seems to work well for turns up to 180, but beyond that I feel weakness. Am I limiting myself via technique by being too focused on the lowest part of the body?

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3. District Master Mike Clay on September 26th, 2008 7:23 pm

   Hello Birgit!
   I hope all is well with you in Germany! Before spinning at full speed, take a few moments to turn your 360 in slow motion, and see how your alignment (Feet, hips, and shoulders) react. After you’ve begun to understand what is occuring during the turn, speed it up a little bit at a time. Let me know how it goes!

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4. District Master Mike Clay on September 26th, 2008 7:36 pm

   Hiya dhodge!
   What a great question! When you’re turning your 360, determine whether or not you are actually turning on the ball or the heel of your planted foot. The snap of your knee will definately help in completing your turn. As far as feeling week, how did you feel about the first time you threw an ichi punch compared to now, and how many have you thrown during that time? Keep working on the 360, and listen to what your body is telling you. I think it’ll say some pretty cool stuff.

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5. dhodge on September 29th, 2008 8:34 am

   Thank you Master Clay!

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6. Birgit on October 1st, 2008 10:41 am

   Thank you, Master Mike.

   Things are moving along here slowly, but surely. More in an email later.

   Turning slowly I noticed one thing right away: I let my fear dictate my moves. My knees are really bad right now (and you thought they cracked a lot in August, ha!). I intuitively try to use some of my momentum to go up and lift the weight of my foot that’s still standing in order to prevent twisting my knee. I’m not sure how I can stay grounded without feeling any torque in my knee during a 180+ degree turn. I guess I have to experiment.

   I also noticed the difference between turning forward and turning backward regarding my balance. Turning forward and pulling to center at the same time feels more natural (I feel more in control), because my stepping knee goes forward. I let my knee more or less lead the turn. Turning backward and pulling to center has different dynamics to it, because my body is supposed to go backward, but my knee moves forward. It feels like I’m moving backward with my body somewhat stronger to compensate for pulling my knee forward; my body seems to lead my knee. And my balance is out the window…

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