Karate-do highlights

The word "kiai" is synonymous with karate but few truly understand its purpose or meaning.

The literal translation as it pertains to martial arts is written in the title, "unified energy". An advanced practitioner would understand it as a gathering of energy in your center of gravity or your hara. The point in which almost all significant body behavior and reactions are reliant on, your abdomen. Without a strong core you are limited in your most basic motions (walking, running, sitting up, sitting down).

However, for a beginner, much of that may not make a whole lot of sense. So lets break it down. In order to synchronize your energy (kime) you must breathe. In order to kiai, you must breathe. It all starts with your breath. Lets try a test. Hold your breath, and do not exhale. Release a punch all the while, holding your breath. That probably felt awkward, right? Now this time, inhale deeply and exhale as you release your punch and you will find a significant release of tension and in turn increasing your relaxation, speed and energy.

Once you have that step down, the rest should be easy because that is 80% of what makes up a kiai. Now, you must bring the kiai to life. Exaggerate your breath and make some noise while you breathe at the exact moment that your punch reaches its destination (climax). The key is to time it all together in one smooth conclusion of your punch, breath and kiai. Everyone's kiai will sound different and that is okay, the important thing is that you are not JUST making noise with a hollow kiai, it must come from your breath! And the tensing of your core (hara). The kiai is more than meets the eye.

Basic summary:

1. Time your kiai with the conclusion of your technique

2. Breathe and tense your muscles when forming a kiai

3. Kime means the gathering of energy

4. Kiai means the unification and release of that energy

What is the hidden message in this post? Feel free to comment.

Sensei