personal experience with "koshi" and "gamaku"

 

Since my name has been invoked by Sara, I feel compelled to offer my
personal experience with "koshi" and "gamaku". (Beetlejuice needed his name spoken three times – I only need mine uttered once.)

Since my first meeting and training with Kishaba and Shinzato sensei in
1984, koshi use has been at the forefront of my practice. Their instruction
emphasizes koshi manipulation in the kata in order to maximize the
effectiveness of the movements. Koshi is not an added element in karate, but
a necessary part of making karate useful and having productive practice. It
also allows a practitoner to keep improving in their karate, but must be
practiced correctly. Unfortunately, Kishaba Chokei sensei is no longer with
us, but Shinzato sensei continues to teach and advance Kishaba sensei's
methods.

In conjunction with koshi compression and expansion, twisting, shaking and
squeezing, the lats (waki) and the sides of the body must be incorporated
into the mix. As you can see, this becomes a whole body process and not just
isolated movement of a single part of the body. When we in Kishaba Juku say
"koshi", we are talking about this whole body usage, as koshi alone is not
sufficient to make karate work. Gamaku is different than koshi, but part of
using your whole body. It is squeezing or compressing and using the sides of
your body, as needed to create compression and/or movement. One without the
other will not be sufficient. These are cursory explinations, detailed
practice and study must be undertaken in order to truly understand.

Again, these methods are not mere additions to karate - they are an integral
part of effective karate practice and usage. It has been my experience that
most karate practitioners are sorely lacking in these areas.

Paris Janos
Kishaba Juku
Panama City, Fl
Koshi ga takai mono