turning tenkan

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[arvin m.]

Hi thanks for the views on pressure points
just a question
when turning tenkan do u do it on yer heel or on the balls of yer feet ie the joints at the base of yer toe? Read somewhere that i should do it as per the latter, but have been doing it on my heels as i turn to face my uke....or turn a perfect 180 degrees. Its supposed to be more stable to turn on the balls of yer feet...any comments...

[ian]

Yep, I asked about this not so long ago. As far as I see it, turning on the ball of your foot is the correct way to do it (for balance and speed). However this tends to twist your knee (look to see if your knee is pointing out to the side), and therefore could do long term damage.

The reason I first asked was because I now have bad knees - and now I use the heel of my foot to tenkan (when I remember!).

Ian

[Erik]

I've seen tenkan movements taught both ways. My first instructor got really heavy into this after attending a Don Angier seminar, if I remember correctly. Those were some long classes as all we did was practice this movement. I've seen it in other places as well.

I tend to move from the heel on big turning movements as it's the easiest way for me to turn and it definitely eases stress on the knees. It helps keep the knee and the toes in alignment which theoretically should stabilize the knee better.

Like Ian, when I remember to move this way I do. I'm surprised it's natural for you as I think most people tend toward the ball of their foot.