Guest Columnists - Nu-Ki continued
Following on from my last article - Nu-ki. When I look at striking techniques I feel that there are three ‘potential’ elements within the technique. If we were to look at the basic punch we can change the ‘energy’ of the punch in three ways.
1. Continual Energy. We can use continual power and allow our Ki to continue the flow of the
strike from the point of ignition of the strike to the flow of the movement and extent this energy out through our technique and onwards (almost projecting the energy to continue
out of the strike (often demonstrated in Tameshiwara - punching through the obstacle)).
2. Nu-Ki. Creating the ignition of the strike, then detaching the energy, and allow the flow of the strike to continue on its path to the target.
3. Secondary Power. With the use of the initial ignition, within Nu-ki, we can use a ‘secondary’ source of energy (as used in Nu-ki) to create renewed power for another strike (or even the same strike to increase impact). We are using a form of this, and would probably best be explained, by using feinting techniques as an example. When kicking to make a maegeri (feint) and mawashigeri (follow-up with same leg) to strike the opponent, for this we are using a form of ‘secondary energy’. When doing this we create our secondary power for the mawashigeri. We use spontaneous energy to initiate the maegeri then detach the energy, as in Nu-ki, to redirect the kick using body movement. From here we then have to use spontaneous power to implement the secondary technique, the mawashigeri. Energy can be used for initiating a gyakuzuki then we can detach our power to then change our moving strike into a uraken, for example.
Secondary power can be useful in many ways and for many things. For example, when we are
performing Kata we initiate power to create the technique and then we allow another energy to change the direction of our motion. This can also allow you to stop abruptly by using counterenergy
such as moving the hips to create hip-twist or even another strike, etc.
We are all already using a simple version of this in our fundamental techniques. We use ’spontaneous’ energy to create the initial motion of our body movement then detach that in order to it to create energy for another, such as a strike, etc. This ability to use spontaneous energy and instant release can be taken to many levels of movement and we can find ourselves using this spontaneous energy repeatedly during jiyu-kumite, etc.
In Wado we must remain relaxed and only use energy for spontaneous initial ignition of the technique. We can also use this to our advantage as we can detach quickly and make use of secondary power in the same technique or change to another quickly. We should not ’hold on’ to our energy or have tension within the technique, but allow ourselves the ability to release this just after ignition - here we can also make use of henka-waza more effectively.
Gary E Swift, 7th Dan, Kyoshi
President of the Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWa). AIWa
Chief Instructor to the British Wadokai Karate-do. British Wadokai
General Secretary to the JKF-Wadokai England. Wadokai England
