36 – Alternating elbow movement with rotation (Sayū hiji undō)¶
Name¶
Sayū hiji undō (左右肘運動)
Alternating elbow movement with rotation
Romaji instruction¶
Hai, hiji agete.
Elbows up.
Karada hineri.
Rotate the body.
Hiji mae.
Elbow forward.
Hantai hiki.
Pull back.
Sayū.
Right and left.
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyū, jū.
Counting¶
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyū, jū
Description¶
The starting position is a wide stance.
The arms are held bent in front of the body in a position corresponding to preparation for empi.
From this position, an alternating rotation is performed:
- the body rotates to one side
- one elbow is brought forward
- the other is drawn backward
The movement alternates from side to side in time with the count.
The rotation is initiated from the hips (koshi) while the feet remain stable.
Purpose¶
- mobilize rotation in the hips and trunk
- activate elbow and shoulder movement
- improve coordination between the hips and the arms
- prepare for empi techniques
Technical key points¶
- rotation from koshi
- clear forward–backward movement in the elbows
- stable foot contact
- rhythmic alternation
- avoid twisting the knees
- work within your own mobility
Comment¶
This exercise links rotation of the body to elbow movements and prepares the practitioner for technical elements.