TAI SHO DARUMA - THE PREPATORY EXCERCISES OF GOJU-RYU KARA-TE

Written by Jon Reingold -- 1996

Critical elements of Okinawan Goju-Ryu training begin with the preparatory exercises, commonly referred to as the “warming up”. Before warming up can be specifically discussed, there must first be an understanding of what it is and why it is so crucial to Martial development.

Contrary to what many people in the Martial Arts community know or say, the warming up serves many more important functions than merely loosening up the body in order to safely train for that particular day. More importantly, the warm up provides the practitioner with a long-term method for developing a “Martial physique”, which allows for the ability to pull off the true Martial Arts techniques in real life situation. In addition, the warm up enables the practitioner to attain the Martial speed, power and flexibility whereby, the Martial knowledge can be effectively utilized.

A correct Martial Arts warming up also provides the practitioner with a greater insight into the Art which he or she has chosen to study. In essence, the warm up can be considered to be a reflection of the techniques and principles which are found within a particular Martial Arts system. Upon close examination, it becomes apparent that the postures and movements within the warm up are similarly found within the other areas of the training curriculum (namely, the basics, the forms and the two person applications). With this in mind, it is no wonder that as one progresses in the warm up, the other areas of the training are elevated to higher levels. When the warm up is analyzed in this manner, it becomes possible to see how it is such an integral part of Martial Arts training.

The question which must be asked is why, if the warm up is such a necessary ingredient to the “recipe” for Martial Arts success, so many individuals fail to take advantage of its’ obvious benefits? The answer to such a question must lie in one of two places. The first seems to involve an ignorance of what a Martial Arts warm up consists of and why it is so important for Martial development. The second answer, which I believe to be the more common of the two, is the unwillingness of many practitioners to accept something which is so foreign, to be viewed as a “normal way” -- a “standard”. What is meant by this is that there exists a tendency to show interest in “areas of training” which feel natural or comfortable. Specifically, many practitioners choose to engage in “western style” exercises such as pushups, jumping jacks and running. These particular exercises seem to satisfy “the thirst” for a warming up which provides a good sweat. What is not apparent to these individuals is the fact that the above mentioned exercises lack any real substance or depth; The sole purpose of this surface level type of warm up is to warm the body up, without any concern for long term Martial development. So, should they learn any advanced techniques in the future, these advanced techniques will not have any substance, only the pattern of the movements.

It is now appropriate to discuss some of the specific key elements of the Goju-Ryu warm up, as taught by the masters. The first aspect involves joint, muscles and skeletal loosening exercises. These loosening exercises begin at the toes and work their way up to the top of the head, resulting in the maximum pliability and strength of all the joints, muscles and bones in the body.

The next area of the warming up consists of breathing exercises, which, as very few Martial Artists know, are where true power is developed. The breathing exercises teach the practitioner many important concepts, such as: 1) Learning to breathe from the "tanden" -- approximately two inches below the navel and not from the chest. 2) Coordination of the breath with particular body movements. 3) Ability to take air into and out of the body in exact increments. 4) An understanding of how to “lock” the breath in conjunction with locking the body and conversely, how to soften the breath in conjunction with softening the body and all the other different combinations. There are many combinations from this basic pattern that one must also learn.

The last major area of the warm up involves Martial conditioning exercises which, unlike their western counterparts (pushups, jumping jacks and running), develop the Martial power needed to apply the real techniques in the worst possible situation – when your life depends upon them.

The Martial conditioning exercises are essential, because it is here, where the practitioner learns to place the body into the most difficult postures/positions while simultaneously striving to develop “usable” Martial powers. By this, the practitioners attempt to simulate the awkward positions, which they may find themselves in during an actual combat situation. The key question is whether the practitioner can still develop true power from these awkward positions. Fortunately, for those who practice the Martial conditioning exercises, the answer to such a question is usually yes.

In addition to what has been previously mentioned, the warming up includes a particular timing and speed with respect to the various exercises. Here, the goal is to develop a similar timing and speed throughout the entire training curriculum (from the warming up, to the basics, to the forms and finally to the two man applications). The underlying purpose behind this training principle is to develop the necessary timing and speed, which will make the techniques applicable. This is accomplished by engraining the particular timing and speed into the practitioners’ body through continual exposure to the warm up. This “engraining process” forces one to respond to a real life attack with a properly timed respond, which is delivered with blinding speed and incredible impact.

The warming up is step one in long process towards Martial Arts proficiency. It is critical, at the beginning stages of training, for a student to attain a full understanding of his or her body. Further, it is essential that a practitioner adapt his or her body to meet the particular requirements of the Art, which they have chosen to study. The warm up, when performed correctly, is an ideal training tool to accomplish these needs. Put simply, the warm up contains a methodology for training a student in the ways of their chosen Art.