37 – Shoulder rotations with circling arms (Kata mawashi undō)¶
Name¶
Kata mawashi undō (肩回し運動)
Shoulder rotations with circling arms
Romaji instruction¶
Hai, shisei tadashite.
Correct your posture.
Ryōkata mawashite.
Rotate the shoulders.
Ude ōkiku mawashite.
Circle the arms widely.
Mae.
Forward.
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku.
Hantai.
Opposite direction.
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku.
Counting¶
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku
Hantai
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku
Description¶
The starting position is standing with an upright posture.
The arms are raised and perform large circular movements in the shoulder joint.
The movement takes place in a continuous circle:
- the arms move forward and upward
- continue backward
- and downward
The rotations are first performed forward.
After six repetitions, the command hantai is given, and the movement is performed in the opposite direction.
The arms remain relaxed, and the movement takes place primarily in the shoulder joint.
Purpose¶
- increase mobility in the shoulder joint
- activate the shoulder blades and upper back
- prepare the arms for strikes and blocks
- improve circulation in the shoulders
Technical key points¶
- large circles
- relaxed arms
- movement from the shoulder joint
- even rhythm
- avoid tensing the neck
- adjust the size of the circle according to mobility
Comment¶
This exercise isolates the shoulder joint and prepares for striking techniques.