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Jotai sokushin

Jumbi Undō 33

1. Name of exercise

Jōtai sokushin nobashi undō
(Side stretch of the upper body)


2. Romaji instruction

Ue ni nobite.
Atama no ue de te o kumande.

Sayū ni nobashite.

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


3. Translation

Stretch upward.

Clasp the hands above the head.

Stretch side to side.

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


4. Counting

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


5. Short description

The practitioner stands in musubi dachi or a natural stance.

Arms are raised overhead and hands are clasped.

First, the body stretches straight upward.

Then a side bending movement is performed:

  • bend to one side
  • return to center
  • bend to the other side

The movement alternates rhythmically.

Hips remain stable so the movement occurs in the torso and spine.


6. Purpose

The exercise aims to:

  • improve lateral flexibility of the spine
  • stretch latissimus dorsi and intercostal muscles
  • increase flexibility in the torso
  • improve breathing capacity
  • prepare for rotational and lateral movements

Comments

1. Romaji

Atama no ue de te o kumande provides clearer instruction.

2. Structure

Name simplified to avoid redundancy.

3. Terminology

Sokushin refers to lateral movement of the body.