13 – Upper Body Rotation (Jōtai kaiten undō)¶
Name¶
Jōtai kaiten undō (上体回転運動)
Upper body rotation
Instructions (Romaji)¶
Hai, jōtai, ōkiku mawashite.
Rotate the upper body in large circles.
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 stance with one leg bent and the other extended, similar to shinkyaku.
The upper body rotates in a large circular motion from the bent side, down toward the extended leg, and then up again.
The movement is continuous and performed at an even pace.
The arms follow the movement naturally.
After a number of repetitions, the side is changed.
Purpose¶
- increase mobility in the spine and hips
- improve trunk rotation
- stretch hips and hamstrings
- prepare for rotational techniques
Key Technical Points¶
- large and continuous movement
- rotation initiated from the trunk
- follow the movement with the entire upper body
- controlled and rhythmic execution
Comment¶
This exercise develops rotational movement in the body and prepares for technical applications.