Practice swings in Kendo are more than just warm-up exercises.
This basic practice is essential for Kendo practitioners to hone their technique and improve their physical abilities.
Kendo practice is valuable as basic training for learning proper posture and sword handling, and as a means to promote physical and mental health.
This article details how kendo practice can help you improve your technique, as well as provide many psychological and physical benefits.
By deeply understanding Kendo and learning the role and effects of suburi in its practice, you will be able to further your growth in the path of Kendo.
目次
- 1 Introduction: What is Kendo practice swing?
- 2 Technical effects of Kendo practice swings
- 3 Effects of practice swings on the body
- 4 Psychological and spiritual effects
- 5 How to practice Kendo practice swings
- 6 Specific health benefits of kendo practice
- 7 Experiences from practitioners
- 8 Summary: What Kendo Suburi brings you
Introduction: What is Kendo practice swing?
Kendo practice is an important practice method for honing the basic techniques of Kendo.
This practice is often performed by kendo practitioners alone, and the purpose is to improve the precision of their technique by repeating precise striking movements, especially with the shinai.
Suburi plays a fundamental role in kendo training, and comprehensively improves all aspects of kendo techniques, such as how to swing the sword, the correct form of posture, how to apply force, and the timing of breathing.
The importance of kendo practice
The importance of practice swings in Kendo is immeasurable.
For beginners, this is the first step to learning the correct form of Kendo.
Even for experienced players, it’s essential practice to maintain and improve your technique.
Furthermore, practicing practice not only improves technique, but also serves as a training exercise to improve concentration and unify the mind.
In this way, kendo practice plays an extremely important role in not only improving physical technique, but also promoting psychological concentration and spiritual growth.
Technical effects of Kendo practice swings
Kendo practice has many technical effects and is an essential element for kendo practitioners to hone their skills.
Here, we will explain these technical effects in detail, with a particular focus on “acquiring the correct form” and “improving force distribution and speed.”
learning the correct form
In Kendo, “Kata” is a concept that includes not only the accuracy of the sword swing movement, but also the standing posture, foot movements, and timing of the blow.
By practicing practice swings, you can practice movements that integrate these elements over and over again, allowing you to acquire efficient sword techniques while eliminating unnecessary movements.
Mastering the correct form will allow you to strike accurately and quickly against your opponent in matches and actual combat, and will greatly enhance your technical precision.
Improved force distribution and speed
Through practice, kendo practitioners learn the correct distribution of power.
In Kendo, it is necessary to concentrate the entire body’s strength in one point to perform a strike, which requires coordination throughout the body.
Practicing allows you to naturally acquire this distribution of force, allowing you to hit smoothly and powerfully.
In addition, repeated practice movements build muscle memory and naturally improve the speed of your movements.
This increase in speed is directly related to the speed of reaction during matches, and is an important factor in securing an advantage in matches.
Kendo practice not only provides these technical effects, but is also very effective as training to increase applicability in actual combat.
Learning the correct form, properly distributing force, and increasing speed are essential to improving your overall Kendo technique and increasing your overall ability as a Kendo practitioner.
Effects of practice swings on the body
Practicing Kendo practice not only improves technique, but also has a remarkable effect on each part of the body.
In particular, improved muscle strength and endurance, and increased overall flexibility and coordination are important physical benefits of practicing Kendo.
Improved muscle strength and endurance
Kendo practice exercises concentrate on using the muscles of the upper body and core.
This strengthens the muscles in your shoulders, back, arms, and abdomen. In Kendo, you often practice swings repeatedly, and this process naturally improves your body’s endurance.
Endurance is required to maintain sustained performance during long practices and games.
Regular swing practice strengthens your cardiopulmonary function and increases your overall stamina.
Enhances whole body flexibility and coordination
Since kendo practice is a full-body exercise, it also improves your body’s flexibility and coordination.
The movement of practice swings involves the movement of the legs and rotation of the body at the appropriate times.
This not only strengthens your legs and hips, but also expands the range of motion of your joints, making your body more flexible.
Additionally, the sequence of swinging a sword requires all parts of the body to work together seamlessly, making it a great opportunity to improve physical coordination.
This also leads to improving the efficiency of movements in daily life.
These physical effects brought about by kendo practice are extremely important for kendo practitioners not only to improve their technique, but also to maintain a healthy body.
These effects can be experienced over a long period of time through Kendo practice and form the basis for continuing Kendo as a lifelong sport.
Psychological and spiritual effects
The practice of kendo not only provides physical benefits, but also has a deep impact on psychological and spiritual aspects.
In particular, improved concentration and the development of mental endurance and patience are important mental achievements in practicing Kendo.
Improved concentration
Kendo practice is an activity that requires a high degree of concentration.
In order to perform a series of movements accurately, it is necessary to overcome momentary distractions and concentrate on one point.
By repeating this training, Kendo practitioners can develop the ability to maintain concentration in their daily lives.
This helps you perform tasks efficiently and effectively in school, work, and other demanding situations.
Developing mental endurance and patience
Kendo practice develops mental endurance through repeated and difficult training.
Practicing practice swings for long periods of time requires overcoming mental fatigue, and in the process develops the strength and perseverance to transcend oneself.
Also, because technical improvements are often not visible immediately, sustained effort is required, which leads to greater perseverance for long-term goals.
In this way, Kendo strengthens participants’ mental fortitude and increases their mental fortitude in the face of difficulties.
These psychological and spiritual effects brought about by Kendo practice help participants develop into more focused and mentally strong individuals.
This kind of growth has a positive impact not only on Kendo, but also on one’s personal life in general.
How to practice Kendo practice swings
Kendo practice swings are essential to improving your Kendo technique, and it is important to follow the correct procedure.
In addition, incorporating practice swings into your daily training routine is effective in improving not only your Kendo technique, but also your physical and mental strength.
Correct practice swing procedure
In order to effectively perform Kendo practice swings, it is essential to follow these steps:
- Correct your posture : Get into a stable standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Straighten your back and hold the shinai in a relaxed position.
- How to hold a shinai : Hold the end of the shinai handle with your left hand, and place your right hand a few centimeters above it. Distribute the force evenly between your hands and keep your wrists flexible.
- Hit down : Raise the bamboo sword high above your head and bring it down all at once. The key to this movement is to use your back muscles to swing up and swing down forcefully, using not just your arms but your entire body.
- Posture at the end of the strike : After striking down, stop the Shinai at the appropriate position. This must be done with controlled force, and the finishing position prepares you for the next movement.
- Breathing : Breathing during the practice swing is very important, exhale at the same time as the down movement, and inhale during the preparatory movement. This will keep you focused while keeping your rhythm.
How to incorporate practice swings into your daily training
Here are some effective ways to incorporate Kendo practice into your daily training:
- Regular practice : Practicing practice swings for a set amount of time every day or every other day will improve your technique and maintain your physical strength.
- Short bursts of practice : Even on busy days, practicing for a few minutes will help you maintain your technique and improve your concentration.
- Add variety : Practice swings at different speeds and intensities to focus on different techniques to avoid monotonous practice.
Kendo practice is an important practice method for kendo practitioners, as it not only improves technique, but also contributes to mental concentration and physical strength.
By practicing these steps and incorporating them into your daily routine, you can effectively improve your Kendo skills.
Specific health benefits of kendo practice
Practicing Kendo practice not only improves your physical technique, but also provides tremendous health benefits.
In particular, prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, stress relief, and improvement of mental health are important health effects brought about by Kendo practice.
Kendo practice swings are a full-body exercise and contribute to improving cardiovascular function.
Regular exercise improves blood flow and reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Additionally, activating your muscles increases your basal metabolism, which helps prevent obesity.
Kendo training increases muscle strength and improves insulin sensitivity, which is also effective in preventing diabetes.
In this way, kendo practice is an activity that helps with weight management and disease prevention, and greatly contributes to maintaining health.
Stress relief and improved mental health
As for the psychological benefits, kendo practice has a remarkable stress-relieving effect.
Intensive exercise is known to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and kendo practice is also expected to have this effect.
Additionally, Kendo practice has a meditative aspect, allowing you to calm your mind and refresh your spirit through a series of movements.
In this way, Kendo practice supports your mental health, helps you recover from everyday stress, and promotes a more calm state of mind.
Continuing to practice Kendo practice is an effective way to reap these tangible health benefits.
This improves your overall quality of life by not only maintaining your physical health but also your mental health.
Experiences from practitioners
Kendo practice is an important practice for many practitioners, each experiencing different changes and effects.
Here, I would like to share with you some stories about the personal changes and effects that I have experienced through practicing Kendo.
Experience story 1: Improved physical strength and concentration
“Since I started practicing Kendo, I have been focusing on practicing practice.My physical strength has clearly improved thanks to practice practice, and my stamina when working concentratedly for long periods of time has also increased significantly.This is a part of my work. This has significantly improved our efficiency and has had a positive impact on our day-to-day operations.”
Experience story 2: Mental stability and stress reduction
“Kendo practice practice has become a way for me to refresh myself as I experience a lot of stress in my daily life.The time I practice practice practice is the most calming time of the day.This practice has helped me to feel more relaxed than before. I have become better at controlling myself and am able to calmly deal with daily problems.”
“By continuing to practice Kendo, my self-confidence has increased and I have started to actively participate in social activities.I used to be withdrawn, but now I enjoy communicating with people. “I have made new friends.The greatest gift Kendo has given me is this new confidence.”
Experience story 4: Improving health awareness
“Ever since I started practicing Kendo, I have realized that practicing practice has had a positive effect on my health.Regular exercise has become part of my daily routine, and I have started to pay more attention to my diet.As a result, I feel better than before and my annual health checkup has improved.”
These testimonials demonstrate that kendo practice has a wide range of positive effects, not only on an individual’s physical and mental health, but also on their social activities.
Practicing Kendo is not just a form of exercise, but an effective means of improving the quality of life.
Summary: What Kendo Suburi brings you
Kendo practice is not just about improving kendo technique, it also has many benefits for the practitioner’s overall life.
Through this article, we have delved into the physical, mental, and social effects of kendo practice.
Here, we will review the main benefits that Kendo Suburi offers and summarize its significance.
Kendo practice provides multiple benefits, including:
- Improved physical health : Improves muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination, and also helps prevent lifestyle-related diseases.
- Mental Strengthening : Improves concentration and develops mental endurance, making you more resistant to the stress of daily life.
- Improved sociability : Increases self-confidence and improves communication with people. This allows you to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones.
- Improved quality of life : Your overall health and well-being will improve, allowing you to live a more fulfilling life.
Kendo practice is much more than just exercise, as it brings about a wide range of improvements both internally and externally.
Incorporating Kendo practice into your daily life will help you lead a healthier and more fulfilling life.
These benefits provide motivation to continue practicing Kendo, and are attractive reasons for those new to Kendo.
