Sanchin and Coins
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Well, then there is an idea to hold, or at least pretend to hold, a coin in the palm of your hand to remind you not to turn your hand over too soon in the strike. Seems there can be a tendency for the elbows to leave the side of the body and form an arch rather than stay directly behind the hand if the hand is turned over too soon.
Another thought concept that might help is for people to think of cupping a shallow puddle of water in there hand. You must keep your fingers tight to keep the water in and it will also pull your middle finger back some so that it is in line with you other finger tips. This will increase the strength of many peoples strike and not leave the last knuckle of the didgit out to take all of the presure.
"Thinking is a lost art"
Actually I should not have said "Pretend to hold" because you want to see where the coin drops.
I also really like the idea of the coins between the fingers because when they get loose you'll know right away.
Often people think their fingers are tight and they are not. I am very guilty of this. The coin trick is a proof.
Generally people see only the major motor movements as the essence of a Kata. Part of the lesson in Kata development comes in control of fine motor movements. Sanchin looks so easy as to be nothing, but in reality it is not easy at all. Students often parrot that from day one but don't really "Get it" for themselves for a while. They can't, until they get the major parts down well enough to start fine tuning the components. Not a matter if being inadequate, just a developmental process..
I had done a good Kata. I was then told to make a slight change in hand position at one point. In trying to perform with the same intensity, I saw I had a hard time making the change. Not that it was a desireable change at all.
The idea is control of the body and the mind.
Perhaps that Sensei liked that position. I doubt he really cared. I think the real issue was to demonstrate control. See, one can do something but when they start to work on another part it is a test to hold all the pieces together at the same time. I doubt the teacher was too concerned with the hand position so much as to see if the other pieces fell apart as I tried to accomidate his request. Kata is a path to take Karate beyond pure strength and energy so abundant in youth.
I also really like the idea of the coins between the fingers because when they get loose you'll know right away.
Often people think their fingers are tight and they are not. I am very guilty of this. The coin trick is a proof.
Generally people see only the major motor movements as the essence of a Kata. Part of the lesson in Kata development comes in control of fine motor movements. Sanchin looks so easy as to be nothing, but in reality it is not easy at all. Students often parrot that from day one but don't really "Get it" for themselves for a while. They can't, until they get the major parts down well enough to start fine tuning the components. Not a matter if being inadequate, just a developmental process..
I had done a good Kata. I was then told to make a slight change in hand position at one point. In trying to perform with the same intensity, I saw I had a hard time making the change. Not that it was a desireable change at all.
The idea is control of the body and the mind.
Perhaps that Sensei liked that position. I doubt he really cared. I think the real issue was to demonstrate control. See, one can do something but when they start to work on another part it is a test to hold all the pieces together at the same time. I doubt the teacher was too concerned with the hand position so much as to see if the other pieces fell apart as I tried to accomidate his request. Kata is a path to take Karate beyond pure strength and energy so abundant in youth.
The water idea is good too. It's a traditional way to think among lots of styles. I like it too, don't need anything to do it.
Only trouble is people like myself tend to insist the fingers stayed tight when they didn't. The feeling was there after all. Unless there is someone to watch, it can be hard to catch ones self. The coins are a proof positive when trying to train alone.
Course all of it is for training, not really what one would dwell on in a fight.
Only trouble is people like myself tend to insist the fingers stayed tight when they didn't. The feeling was there after all. Unless there is someone to watch, it can be hard to catch ones self. The coins are a proof positive when trying to train alone.
Course all of it is for training, not really what one would dwell on in a fight.
I use the "holding a cup of water" idea in my young adult's book to help describe the move- but the thing with the coins is the physical result if it's done in-correctly. You can't sudden;y discover you are holding your hand in-correctly because the coins will drop and tell you right away. It's the physical manifestation I think at least children/young adults will grab hold of faster. As much as children have an awesome sense of imagination- their "visualization" as in taking the imagination a step further to produce a kind of result- even physcological- isn't that great. They can picture a dragon really well, but the can't convince themselves they can feel it's hot breath creathing down their neck so to speak. LOL. The coins would announce the breath. LOL My examples are getting really bad. 
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The coins are some good stuff!!!!! One way to help adults or older teenagers, i say this because i don't think young people should do a lot of body conditioning excersizes, is to lightly hit the makiwara or layered cardboard. you can look at your hands after you strike and it will ingrain good habits by giving negative reinforcement! 
I'll have to try the coins out w/some students. I am deaf so i wouldn't be able to hearb them drop, i am constantly losing my change
I'll have to try the coins out w/some students. I am deaf so i wouldn't be able to hearb them drop, i am constantly losing my change
"Thinking is a lost art"
