Kiai

[Ross]

Hi

I am struggling with my Kiai......... I am not afraid to make a noise in the Dojo and have a big voice, the problem is I don't think I do my Kiai correctly, more like I just make a noise.

When training, I get really tired and out of breath using Kiai a lot and after practice, I have a sore throat. I think I use my voice box to much and should be getting my kiai from somewhere deeper.

My sensei has a long hard kiai that drops off to sound like a tiger purring.

Any advice to improve my kiai would be greatly appreciated.

Ross

[Kaeshi]

The kiai should be a BIG exhalation of air that passes through the vocal cords, thus making a sound. To do a proper kiai, draw breath into the stomach, and when the technique comes together, exhale ALMOST fully, and use that breath to shout. Don not rub the back of your throat with the air, as it will make your throat hurt. Try to make a clean sound, like "HOOOOOOOOOA!"

Good luck.

[Kaeshi]

Sorry, correction, use the air that you EXHALE to do the kiai, not the air left after.

[hyuna]

This is how I learned to do it from when I used to play a music instrument. It works for my kiai.

First, try gently exhaling with your mouth and throat wide open. Like if you were trying to fog up glasses or something you want to polish, or like if you were yawning.

Now gently exhale with that same wide open feeling but try to make a deep haaaaaa sound. Gently. Focus on the open feeling.

Next put your hand on your stomach. When you breath in, feel your breath going to your hand first, and filling your lungs and chest second. Practice that for a while.

Next breath in like that and exhale from your stomach, where your hand is, while making that gentle wide open ahhhhhh sound.

Those are the basics. Ramp up the intensity by taking a sharper breath, making sure it first goes to your abdomen, and by making a sharper exhalation, but making sure to keep your throat open.

[itachi]

you shouldnt rely on ur vocal cords completely. your kiai has to come from your stomach as mentioned above, this way you wont get a sore throat and your kiai will last longer.