GOJU RYU KARATE HOJO UNDO

Makiwara: this is one of the most important hojo undo equipment. The practice with makiwara can be done with te waza (hand techniques) as well as with ashi waza (leg techniques). The flat and rigid surface, and the resistance proper of the wood board allows the practitioner to develop focus and penetration in each technique. The practice of waza with the makiwara is very beneficial if it is combined with the practice of the same waza over focus shields and heavy bag. Each piece of equipment adds something important to make that technique much better.

Chiishi: the original construction of this tool, as the name indicates, was made from stone. Modern chiishi are made easily with concrete. Supplementary exercises with chiishi helps mainly to strengthen the grip and wrists. Proper training with this hojo undo equipment allows practitioners to understand the concept to develop natural power on hands techniques coming from the elbow, instead of from the biceps or triceps. Practice with chiishi also helps to improve ude tanrem (arm conditioning), muchimi (sticky hands), deep breathing, and proper stances.

Nigiri-game: the original set is made of ceramic, where the outside diameter of the rim is the same size of the grip of the practitioner. The common training begins with empty game (jars); as the karate-ka increases strength, the jars can be filled with sand, water or rocks. As the name implies, this hojo undo equipment mainly helps the practitioner to develop a strong grip. Proper training with nigiri-game will also strengthen feet, legs, hips, shoulders, forearms, and wrists helping to improve balance and posture. The deep breathing that accompanies the different exercises strengthens the internal organs.

Ishi-sashi: this hojo undo equipment was originally built from stone; most common modern constructions are made from metal or concrete. The practice of ishi-sashi is very beneficial for the upper body as well as for the lower body. It strengthens and develops the wrist, forearm, upper arms, shoulders, legs, and feet. Because of the peculiar design of this hojo undo equipment, the ishi-sashi is very important for the development of open hand techniques such as nukite (finger tips strike). The training with ishi-sashi also helps to develop strong stances and better balance.

Jari Bako: this training tools helps to strengthen the finger joints and to harden the tips of the finger to favor open hand techniques such as nukite. The container can be filled with different materials to promote the progress of the hand conditioning. Most common filling material for jari bako includes sand, beans and gravel. Beginners start their training with soft material, increasing according to the progress of the practitioner

Makiage Kigu: the training with this hojo undo equipment helps in the development and strengthening of the grip and wrist. The practice with makiage kigu is also a good supplemental exercise to develop the forearms. The construction of this equipment is very simple: tie one end of a rope to a short metal bar (it will work better if the bar has handles at both ends), and the other end to a weight. The resistance obtained with the training will depend on how heavy the weight is that you choose to use.

Kongoken: Miyagi Sensei was introduced to the practice of kongoken in one of his visits to teach in Hawaii. Kongoken is a hojo undo equipment that permits individual training, as well as training with a partner. The form and weight of kongoken is very beneficial to develop a strong body and powerful grappling techniques. Arm conditioning, and leg conditioning are types of training that can be practiced individually. Partners can team up with each other to execute push-ups, sit-ups, and drills to develop better balance.