There are many details to effective kime, which obviously have to come together to the point that you just have the intention of finishing the technique, and all the details will happen by themselves. At this point, your body knows how to make kime.
But no matter at what level we are in karate classes for adults, we always have to revisit and reflect if we apply all aspects of kime optimally; we can always get better. Sensei Nishiyama was never tired or bored of repeating the principles and details of kime, and there was always something subtle and new that could be learned.
Breathing “through pass” target, “give all air, give all energy,” Kiai destroy opponent—those are different ways to describe a similar aspect of kime. This is an aspect of kime that is difficult for many people: to mentally give everything, and to give all air through the pass target, which means all energy and momentum transfer to opponent. Actually, giving all air is a means to give oneself totally, not to hold back anything, as budo says, “no mind in the technique.”
Giving all air is giving all energy, as Nishiyama Sensei used to say, “one period of breath is the total amount of energy.” It should be done in the shortest time, and is only effective when the breath matches the technique, and then at impact there will be maximum pressure to the floor and total body contraction along the technique line.
Make sure not to blow the air, but press to the floor, and as a reaction air goes out. Your throat stays soft; the breath is not in the throat—the throat is just like a pipe. The breath/kiai peaks at impact but does not stop. Don’t push; we need shocking power. When one gives all air, the next breath starts as a reaction. Therefore, the next technique or kamae starts naturally (zanshin); you don’t do it—it is done by itself.
Giving all air solves the problem of “snap back,” which happens when half the breath (energy) goes to the technique and the other half goes for the pullback. Only part of the energy reaches the target otherwise. At the same time, one should not stop and hold the arm extended—this is a dead arm, a space for the opponent to counter. Giving all air solves this problem as well, since the next technique starts naturally in reaction.
“Snap back” is especially bad, as momentum goes backward, creating extra motion and space between techniques, which the opponent can capitalize on. In any case, the more skillful a person is, the shorter the instant of kime is, and one can give all air and deliver all energy in the shortest amount of time.
“Give all air” is a feel and changes depending on the technique, target, and purpose.
Tsuki (punch) to the face is different than to the body; when punching the body, more penetration is required and deeper kime, while the head gives, and impact needs to be sharper. Energy must transfer before the head gives. Even when it looks like snap back, all energy must be transferred first, even in striking techniques (uchi waza).
The point is that once momentum is delivered, there is no need to stay; the next technique or kamae transitions naturally as a reaction.
“Snap back” usually happens because one protects oneself and wants to recover quickly. But in adult karate classes, when the opportunity is there and you are ahead of the opponent, you must try to finish.
“Snap back” also happens when the breath cuts and the body bounces. It is also a result of sport karate competition rules that reward just reaching the target. These rules encourage training for mere contact with the fist, not passing through with the whole body.
It is, of course, easier to reach the target with just the fist than with the whole body connected and total momentum delivered to the target.
Some ideas on how to give all breath and energy through the target in karate classes for adults:
-
Before technique, look way beyond the opponent, intention beyond opponent to infinity. Your feet stop inside opponent, but breath continues through. It should feel as if your body wants to keep going, yet your feet hold the body. If you look at the spot you hit, your breath/energy will stop there.
-
Feel as if your body stops, yet inside your body continues through the opponent.
-
Imagine your kiai has no echo; the sound does not come back. Sensei Nishiyama emphasized this repeatedly.
-
Think not of poking the opponent but rather thrusting a spear through.