Kiri otoshi and anatomy?

[futabachan]

I've been running into this in both kendo and iaido; perhaps I'm just keeping my elbows too close together, but does anyone else have trouble when doing shomen uchi (or the longer iaido strike that finishes below the navel) with the upper arms running into your breasts? I'm not particularly large-breasted, although mine are relatively far apart; to get this to not happen, I find that I have to have my elbows far enough apart that I get corrected on it.

Is there something that I'm missing?

(It sometimes also happens in kesa giri in iaido.)

[babayaga]

I've been running into this in both kendo and iaido; perhaps I'm just keeping my elbows too close together, but does anyone else have trouble when doing shomen uchi (or the longer iaido strike that finishes below the navel) with the upper arms running into your breasts? I'm not particularly large-breasted, although mine are relatively far apart; to get this to not happen, I find that I have to have my elbows far enough apart that I get corrected on it.

Hmm. First, I can't speak at all about kendo strikes. I'm not sure there's much you can do about that other than try a different bra. For iai at least, this strike comes to rest against with upper arms against the torso. The only thing I can think of related to the strike mechanics would be to make sure you're striking forward enough -- I think of the path the hands trace when viewed from the side as more of a half-heart shape than an arc. If you've been splaying your elbows or bending your elbows you're maybe not getting the height and distance in the cut, and maybe more height and distance will get you around your breasts, so to speak.

Clothing-wise, what sort of bra do you wear during practice? Oh, wait -- this is Kendo World. Don't answer that. You might think about using an athletic bra that has more side control, if you don't use one like that already. Something with cups.

Do you have another female student who can watch your kiriotoshi? Or a male student whom you know won't be a jerk about it?

regards,
Beth

[Yulya]

I've been running into this in both kendo and iaido; perhaps I'm just keeping my elbows too close together, but does anyone else have trouble when doing shomen uchi (or the longer iaido strike that finishes below the navel) with the upper arms running into your breasts? I'm not particularly large-breasted, although mine are relatively far apart; to get this to not happen, I find that I have to have my elbows far enough apart that I get corrected on it.

Is there something that I'm missing?

(It sometimes also happens in kesa giri in iaido.)

I would say a good sport bra also...I run into something similar but I think wearing a tight sport bra makes it pretty much unnoticeable, or maybe I just got used to it.

[lucy]

My (male) sensei (both iai and kendo) said that I was doing something wrong if I got problems of that kind. And, indeed, somehow, if I do it just the way I'm told to it's no problem... My female senpai doesn't have a problem either.

Maybe it'll just come with practice, as always.

[Steve Bishop]

Hi

I just happened across your thread as I'm trying to sell a "Mine" bogu on behalf of a woman who no longer trains.
(see: http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17684)

Anyway, I don't practice iaido so can't comment on that but from a biomechanical point of view: men's arms tend to hang straight down or slightly inwards, and women's hang slighlty out due to differences in the shoulder girdle between the sexes. Ask one of your female friends to stand up straight and relaxed and you should see this- this may be why your elbows are so wide apart with certain cutting positions.

Cheers,

Steve