Ryohiza osaeshi

Jumbi Undō 19¶

1. Name of exercise¶

Ryōhiza futte ue kara osaete (kiai on ten)
(Knee butterfly movement and downward knee press)

2. Romaji instruction¶

Ashikubi o motte.
Hiza o ugokashite.

Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyū, jū.

Hiza o motte.
Shita ni oshite.

Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyū…

Jū! (Kiai)

3. Translation¶

Hold the ankles.

Move the knees.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Hold the knees.

Push downward.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine…

Ten! (kiai)

4. Counting¶

Ichi – Ni – San – Shi – Go – Roku – Shichi – Hachi – Kyū – Jū

Ichi – Ni – San – Shi – Go – Roku – Shichi – Hachi – Kyū – Jū
(Ten with kiai)

5. Short description¶

The practitioner sits in the butterfly position, where the soles of the feet touch and the knees open outward.

First, the ankles (ashikubi) are held while the knees move up and down in a light bouncing motion driven from the hips.

The knees move toward the floor and back up with each count. This movement is repeated ten times.

Next, the hands are placed on the knees (hiza o motte). From this position the knees are pressed downward toward the floor to deepen the stretch in the hips and groin.

This pressing motion is repeated ten times, and on the final count (jū) a slightly stronger press is applied together with a kiai.

6. Purpose¶

This exercise improves mobility and relaxation in the hips and adductors following the seated butterfly stretch.

It:

increases external rotation of the hips
activates and relaxes the adductor muscles
improves circulation in the hip and groin region
prepares the body for kicks and wide stances

In the Kyokushin warm-up sequence this movement acts as a dynamic continuation of the butterfly stretch, transitioning from static stretching to active hip mobilization.

Comments¶

1. Romaji

The phrase ryōhiza futte literally means “shake or move both knees.”

2. Terminology

Although commonly called the butterfly stretch, Kyokushin instruction often describes the position using ashi no ura o awasete or ryōashi hiite.

3. Structure in Jumbi Undō

This exercise bridges static stretching and dynamic hip activation before more active leg movements.