There was talk awhile back about makiwara's. I forgot to add some more details. Interestingly enough, the best info on makiwara's I came across was in book form. _ Goldfinger _, I never saw the movie.
But he talks about how they strike the makiwara. The one oddjob used was a board wrapped in cord. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
When you strike, at the moment of contact, you tense your whole body up, transfering the power of the punch fully into the target.
I havent really seen "real" makiwara training explanied or demonstrated properly myself. In sonny chiba's _ street fighter _ the guys hit makiwara's but their punches are executed in a grossly
Their fists just kind of obliqely bounce of the makiwara... Which didnt move much.
Those with knowlege of iron body could figure
out how to use the makiwara in a more internal manner. Think of a combination of hung breath, dynamic tension, and punching.
But dont think that your fist is hitting the object. The objects hitting your fist. Your fist hits, You take in shock, and put it back and then some.
I dont know, kind of hard to explain. Chinese kungfu isnt too up on makiwara type devices.
Its a shame.
Personally, I wont touch them. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] I'd play around with something more soft and springy. But there's a rhythm even I cant get. I prefer swinging bags.
Like iron palm level 1, you need a strong base to use it. I'm more counter intuitive. Like when you walk up behind someone, put your fist by their ear and tap them on the shoulder.
They turn and WACK. Thats hilarious. You cant just horse and strike a makiwara. It doesnt feel right to strike inward into the makiwara.
The stance that feels the best for a makiwara is where you horse with it to one side. Then turn. You can then strike with both fists alternatly but you should change from right to left.
Those ones with cords and wooden planks are really hard. Go to an auto shop and get those big sponges and some canvas cloth.
Wrap sponge with the cloth, folding over the long ends and wrap the rest of the canvas around sides and around the back of the board and nail or staple it on your board.
The softer ones will work your wrist more than your fist. The tension is the most dangerous part. Exspecially when you combine it with the voice.
I wont go too much into it. But take a small breath and hold it. Now do a slight, quick crunching movement with your abdomen like your doing a situp.
You should feel a ungh sound and sensation. Now try it with your arm out turned about 3/4 from from the verticle fist.
Thats about where you would start to apply tension and the full breath. You dont HAVE to yell. Just grunt.
Take anything at your own risk. Never apply the breath THROUGH tension. It comes slightly before. Try to drop the breath down. Most will keep it up high near the thyroid. You'll FEEL the difference.
Enough rambling. I have to take care of my credit card account online right about now...
