Avi Rokah

Body Shifting – Understand to Use Effectively

Avi Rokah

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. We use straight shifting, such as in case of Oi Zuki, or side shifting, such as in Yoko Enpi Ate (side elbow smash), and kizami Zuki in longer space. Yori Ashi, Tsugi Ashi, Fumi Ashi can […]

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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”, and I felt it was true but asked her how could she tell, since she did not look at me, and she replied that she knew by the sound of my breath. Since than she surprised me over and over, without looking at me she told me if my elbows

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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 initiate the technique, is 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 advises I received from Aiko San, it was in one of the national championships, she pulled me to the side, and told me: “try to imagine your head as a ball resting delicately on your shoulders, if your head lean to either direction it will fall this way, if it is to fall, it should fall between your legs.” Than she make me do yori ashi with Gyaku Zuki, first slow and than at full speed, and at kime, I had to check if my head was to fall to either side or between

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

Avi Rokah

In karate we strive to achieve todome (finish technique) and at the same time we seek 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

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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 finish 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 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, new, that could be learned. Breathing “through pass”

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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 few who can teach the art of karate. Use the form as a vehicles to understand and digest the principles. The principles and details derived from them make the magic of karate, make the technique effective and effortless, and applicable to any circumstance. Follow the form and you will be limited to the form, follow the principles, digest the small details, make them your “body system” and you will be limitless, beyond form, and you will effortlessly be able to apply and adopt the technique to any changing circumstance, any

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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 asked Sensei Nishiyama question about technique or express difficulty in getting something to work, the answer was “keep trying”. Sensei Nishiyama was a man of few words (when it come to karate, he loved to talk when socialized), he said just enough to give you direction, but wanted you to find out through training. We must train than contemplate, repeat but don’t be mechanic, don’t just keep going, reflect on

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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 can contract muscles with great velocity, and also relax rapidly, the rate of relaxation is very rapid. The karate expert must start power generation in the legs through the hips, and as they hips explode the core contract quickly to transmit the force to the upper body, initial pulse start with quick contraction, and than the core relax as the punch or kick increase the velocity until the impact and than to avoid energy leak a second contraction occur. Initiate with very

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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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