13 – Upper body rotation (Jōtai kaiten undō)¶
Name¶
Jōtai kaiten undō (上体回転運動)
Upper body rotation
Romaji instruction¶
Hai, jōtai, ōkiku mawashite.
Rotate the upper body in a large circle.
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyū, jū.
Counting¶
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyū, jū
Description¶
The practitioner stands in a wide position with one leg bent and the other extended, as in shinkyaku.
The upper body is rotated in a large circle from the bent side, down toward the extended leg, and then upward again.
The movement is continuous and performed at an even tempo.
The arms follow the movement naturally.
After a number of repetitions, the side is changed.
Purpose¶
- increase mobility in the spine and hips
- improve rotation in the trunk
- stretch the hips and hamstrings
- prepare for rotational movement in techniques
Technical key points¶
- large and continuous movement
- the rotation is initiated from the trunk
- follow the movement with the whole upper body
- work in a controlled and rhythmic manner
Comment¶
This exercise develops rotation in the body and prepares the practitioner for technical movements.