curriculum-taihenjutsu
Taihenjutsu Shoden (体変術初伝)
Taihenjutsu is designed to strengthen the body, align posture and teach break falling methods.
The practice of taihenjutsu is arranged into 9 levels, each level representing 9 metres of travel per technique. A person who does physical training three times a week should be able to complete a level 1 taihenjutsu workout. Each level increases the difficulty of the taihenjutsu incrementally by 9 metres. Level 9 should prove challenging even to an elite olympic athlete.
Members of Ikari Dojo should aspire to complete a taihenjutsu workout at level 6.
Walking Methods [Arukijutsu] (歩術)
Arukijutsu (歩術) are walking techniques that train the posture and mechanical structure of the body to become familiar with the different ways of moving in the martial arts. These techniques are designed to retrain the body to move in an efficient way.
[一] Small Steps [Shouho] (小歩): Place both hands along the pelvic inlets, raise the crown of the head and move forward landing with the ball of the foot followed by the heel.
[二] Big Steps [Daiho] (大歩): Place both hands along the pelvic inlets, raise the crown of the head and move forward in large steps. Land with the ball of the foot and turn the foot inward perpendicular to the line of travel before placing the heel.
[三] Posture Steps [Kouho] (構歩): Raise the lead hand in kitenken (turning fist) and hold the rear hand in the crook of the arm in shitouken (blade fist), this is seigan no kamae (true eye stance). Step forward using the same method as daiho.
[四] Unilateral walking [Nanba Aruki] (南蛮歩): Place both hands perpendicular to the body at the top of the thighs, with the lead hand facing palm down and the rear hand facing palm up. Move forward with the ball of the foot landing first, followed by the heel. While shifting, turn the hands so that the lead hand is always facing down when stepping on the lead foot.
[五] Quiet walking [Muon Aruki] (無音歩): Place both hands along the pelvic inlets and step with the heel followed by the ball of the foot. As the foot is placed down, roll along the outside of the foot to increase foot contact with the ground.
[六] Side walking [Yoko Aruki] (横歩): Place the lead foot forward and the rear foot perpendicular to the lead foot, then cross the arms. Step and cross the legs and at the same time raise the arms. Continue moving like this.
Arukijutsu form the foundation of posture and movement for the martial arts. These techniques can be practiced actively in the dojo or passively in everyday life. To develop good walking and movement technique these methods need to be reinforced over time.
Crawling Methods [Shisokujuuarukijutsu] (四足獣歩)
Shisokujuuarukijutsu methods develop agility and movement capabilities while increasing core strength and proprioception (body awareness) in both the arms and legs. These techniques also develop evasion and mobility on the ground or after falling.
[一] Monkey crawl [Saru Aruki] (猿歩): Lower down to a squat and move sideways, crossing the hands between each step.
[二] Bear crawl [Kuma Aruki] (熊歩): Lower down to a squat and place the lead hand forward and the rear hand back. Bring the rear leg to the rear hand and keep the lead leg back. Crawl forward on all fours.
[三] Cat crawl [Neko Aruki] (猫歩): Lower down to a squat. Place the hands and feet in a line, lead hand, rear hand, lead leg, rear leg. Move forward while remaining on the line, hands moving first followed by legs.
[四] Toad jump [Hikigaeru Aruki] (蟇蛙歩): From a squatting position, leap forward hands first, before resetting to the squat position.
[五] Salamander crawl [Sanshouuo Aruki] (山椒魚歩): Squat down and bring the lead hand forward and the rear hand back. Place the lead leg back and the rear leg forward behind the rear hand. Lower down so the elbows are perpendicular to the ground.
[六] Lizard crawl [Tokage Aruki] (蜥蜴歩): As the salamander crawl, but turn the head up stretching the neck and rear leg.
These techniques are extremely efficient at developing core strength and cardiovascular endurance. They can be utilised together in a work out or individually in training drills.
Breakfalling Methods [Ukemijutsu] (受身術)
Ukemijutsu (受身術) methods are one of the most important skills in the martial arts and protect from breaks, bruises and dislocations when falling.
[一] Forward breakfall [Zenpou Ukemi] (前方受身): From a squatting position, place arms in a triangle position and dive forward, taking impact on the forearms and stretching out the legs. Reset to squat and continue moving forward.
[二] Backward breakfall [Kouhou Ukemi] (後方受身): From a squatting position, lower down and sit back bringing the legs and arms into ichimonji no kamae. Use elbow to return to hanza and get up to continue moving back.
[三] Sideward breakfall [Sokuhou Ukemi] (側方受身): From a squatting position, sweep the leg inward and lower to the ground with the groundward arm extending into ichimonji no kamae. Use elbow to return to hanza and get up to continue moving back.
[四] Forward roll [Zenpou Kaiten] (前方回転): From a kneeling position [Seiza], bring the lead leg up to a raised position and place the rear leg perpendicular to the direction of travel [Hanza]. Shift forward so the lead knee touches the ground and place the lead hand perpendicular to the lead leg, and the rear arm in line with the lead leg, forming a right triangle with both arms. Turn the head away from the lead leg and push the body over the lead arm in a straight line, rolling across the back, from the lead shoulder to the opposite hip. Come back up into a raised kneeling position [Hanza].
[五] Backward roll [Kouhou Kaiten] (後方回転): From a raised kneeling position [Hanza]. Sit back and bring the lead leg over the same shoulder, landing on the curled back toes and transitioning to the knee. Place the rear leg perpendicular to the direction of travel and raise the leg back into hanza.
[六] Sideways roll [Sokuhou Kaiten] (側方回転): From the raised kneeling position, shift forward and place the hands in a right triangle on the ground as in the forward roll. To roll to the inside, roll across the rear arm in a 45 degree angle backward from the front and return to hanza. To roll to the outside, shift the body backwards in a 45 degree angle backward and return to hanza.
In combat falling is inevitable. Gravity can be just as dangerous as the opponent and falling badly can result in serious injury or even death. These techniques are one of the most important skill sets a martial artist can learn for life and safety.
Review and Conclusion
Taihenjutsu forms the core training for strength, posture and self-protection. These are all critical aspects of martial arts training and should be practiced regularly regardless of skill level or experience. Taihenjutsu is body maintenance as much as it is combat training. Practice these techniques in every training session and maintain good habits.