--- In UCSCShotokan@yahoogroups.com, Kai Gerhard Noeske <kai@u...>
wrote:
>
> I agree - let's gat a Makiwara to have some major fun! :-)
>

The makiwara can be a useful training tool. But you must
be careful on what and how you strike anything.

If that little bit of padding on the concrete wall is still
there by the bag by the racquetball courts, DON'T HIT IT!
That can be TERRIBLE for your joints and is of limited value
for your training. You must find something that MOVES when
you hit it. A good makiwara is designed to give you a good
6" or so of play when you hit it hard. Much less than this
can be bad for you and more can mean that you don't end up
with proper bio-feedback on your technique.

It's better to hit a heavy-bag than to hit a bad makiwara.

For more info, please see the following article I wrote over 7
years ago:
http://www.jkasv.com/article9810.html

Good luck with your training. Hope to see you all in December,
if not sooner (if you can make it up to Redwood City this
Saturday or next). Lots going on in December with the kyu exam
on the 3rd, Ubl Sensei in Redwood City Dec 16-17 and the
kickathon on Dec 30 (in Redwood City that day but you can do
one separately in Santa Cruz if you want-- This is 2006 kicks
to benefit charities). Please feel free to contact me directly
if you have any questions or concerns.

-Jon Keeling