Avi Rokah Archives

Body Shifting – Understand to Use Effectively

In karate body dynamics and inside muscle action are the main sources of power (of course, controlled my the mind, so we could say the mind is the main source of energy). Body shifting is one of the 6 body dynamics. Shifting is used to produce force as well as to adjust distance, and it is generally used to apply techniques in longer distance. This principle is also taught in self defense classes for kids to help young learners understand effective body mechanics. We use straight shifting, such as in case of Oi Zuki, or side shifting, such as in […]

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Listen To The Breath!

Avi Rokah

Aiko San always surprised me with her depth of understanding, intuition and wisdom. One evening about 10 years ago, I was doing kata and Aiko San was standing with her back to me, and all of the sudden she turned around and said: “you are using too much top power.” I felt it was true but asked her how she could tell, since she did not look at me, and she replied that she knew by the sound of my breath. Since then she surprised me over and over. Without looking at me she told me if my elbows were

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Breath Reveals Quality of Technique

Avi Rokah

I wrote in the previous article that Aiko San could correct my technique without looking at me, just by listening to the breath. Why is that important? Because while at the beginning levels we focus on external form and mechanics of technique, at the higher levels the breath controls the techniques— all aspects of it— and the mechanics and form should be forgotten, or not consciously attained. For example, breath initiates the technique, acting like the trigger that controls the timing of the technique. If we cannot apply the concept of “breath triggers technique,” we cannot talk about breath reaction

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Posture Advice from Aiko San

Avi Rokah

This was one of the great pieces of advice I received from Aiko San. It was during one of the national championships, and she pulled me aside, saying: “Try to imagine your head as a ball resting delicately on your shoulders. If your head leans to either direction, it will fall that way; if it is to fall, it should fall between your legs.” Then she made me do yori ashi with Gyaku Zuki, first slowly and then at full speed. At kime, I had to check if my head was falling to either side or between my legs. To

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Posture, Precise Timing of Body Segments Make Effective Technique and a Healthier Musculoskeletal System

Avi Rokah

In karate classes for adults, we strive to achieve todome (finish technique) while also seeking longevity in training. Both effectiveness and longevity are achieved by using precise movement of specific segments out of optimal static and dynamic postures and alignment within total body movement. Maintaining or restoring precise movement of specific segments and the relationships between segments is also the key to correcting or preventing musculoskeletal pain. The biomechanics of human movement is similar to the mechanics of machines, in that the longevity of components and efficiency of performance require precise movements of the rotating segments. In contrast to machines,

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Kime – Total Breath, Total Energy Pass Through The Target

Avi Rokah

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

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The Art of Magic and Karate is in the Small Details Which are Derived from Principles

Avi Rokah

There are many teachers who can teach techniques, but only a few who can teach The Art of Magic in karate. In karate classes for kids, instructors focus not just on moves, but on helping students understand and digest the underlying principles. Use the form as a vehicle to internalize these principles. The details derived from the principles make the magic of karate, making techniques effective, effortless, and applicable to any circumstance. Whether in karate classes for kids or karate classes for adults, following the form alone will limit your growth. By digesting the small details and making them your

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“Keep Trying”

Avi Rokah

I love this quotation by Thomas Edison: “Our greatest weakness is giving up. The most certain way to success is to try one more time.” Many times, when a student in karate classes for kids asked Sensei Nishiyama a question about technique or expressed difficulty in getting something to work, the answer was always: “keep trying.” Sensei Nishiyama was a man of few words (when it came to karate, he loved to talk when socializing). He said just enough to give you direction but wanted you to discover through training, whether in karate classes for adults or for children. We

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Rapid Rate of Contraction and Relaxation in Punch or Kick

Avi Rokah

The skillful karate fighter is not only strong, but in order to initiate a punch or a kick, they must contract muscles with great velocity and also relax rapidly. The rate of relaxation is very fast. In karate classes for adults, experts learn to start power generation in the legs through the hips, and as the hips explode, the core contracts quickly to transmit the force to the upper body. The initial pulse starts with a quick contraction, then the core relaxes as the punch or kick increases in velocity until impact, followed by a second contraction to avoid energy

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Give Up Power to Better Your Technique and Better Yourself and Society

Avi Rokah

In my seminar in Israel, I had a little talk with Tzachi, Moshe’s student and Israeli team member. Tzachi is wise beyond his years, and I learned a great lesson. The background to this talk was my emphasis the following lesson from previous training: In kime, we make pressure to the floor with the breath, and the reaction of this pressure is absorbed through the body and delivered to the line of technique. No power in the technique arm is needed, rather, any undue tension in the arm will nullify the effect of the pressure to floor; it will block

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