During today's training, I did all "blocking" and striking techniques holding ten pound dumbbells. Naturally I worked the techniques slowly while holding weights to avoid injuring these aging elbow, shoulder, and wrist joints. It feels great after working for ten or fifteen minutes to put down the dumbbells and do the same techniques full speed. Such snap, such power, such speed.
The integration of hojo undo, or supplementary karate training, is also called kigu undo. Most karateka know about the centrality of makiwara board training, but few realize that hojo undo is a rich field of many strength and conditioning training opportunities.
When shotokan karate moved from Okinawa to Japan, some of the hojo undo training opportunities did not take root. However, this is part of our roots and we should work hojo undo routines and devices into our regular training. The difference it makes will become obvious very quickly. I worked Meikyo and Gojyushiho Sho today too. Love those kata.
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