How do you develop the big toe?

Doesn't developing the big toe require the intervention of Sergeant Hulka?

There is a post somewhere on Aikiweb (or AJ or E-budo) where Mike Sigman mentions the big toe and similarities to other IMA. Hm, time to do some searching.

Love the Stripes reference...."our new, bestest big toe"

David Orange wrote: Dave, as others have mentioned, shikko and suwari waza are good, but to me, the "landing" from forward rolling ukemi should be onto the ball of the rear foot rather than onto the instep (top of the foot). I've always felt this was a serious technical flaw in most aikido I've seen, where the person rolls onto the rear instep and then has to change the foot position to stand up. In yoseikan, we always learned to roll directly onto the ball of the foot, so that we can stand up directly from the roll without any changes. Also, I've seen people (many, many people) who can't do a rear roll without picking up their rear foot and putting it down with the instep down. I think these two methods do a lot of harm to the correct development of aikido technique and power. Best to you. David

I agree. I have found also, that when I use the instep of my foot for ukemi, I also tend to bang up my knees.

I also agree with what Walter Mondale said about something getting lost in translation. I don't think Shioda was talking about the actual physical strength of the big toe.

I found that shikko helps if you walk using only the balls of your feet. Another way is to do if flat-footed, but this won't help I think.

One other method I found that helps is by practicing a lunging forward punch, not like a typical karate stance. Make sure your knee moves over and past your forward foot.

John Matsushima wrote: I also agree with what Walter Mondale said about something getting lost in translation. I don't think Shioda was talking about the actual physical strength of the big toe. .

Mondale - wasn't he Vice-POTUS of America at one time?... I've been to the US a few times... Probably accumulated about four months, all told, by now - since my first visit in about 1974 or 75.
W

Walter Martindale wrote: Mondale - wasn't he Vice-POTUS of America at one time?... I've been to the US a few times... Probably accumulated about four months, all told, by now - since my first visit in about 1974 or 75. W

Ha Ha, Sorry about that Mr. Martindale.

John Matsushima wrote: Ha Ha, Sorry about that Mr. Martindale.

dai-jobu

Some one stop me laughing will they? .....

Attilio Anthony John Wagstaffe wrote: Some one stop me laughing will they? .....

well. Ok..

STOP THAT!!!!

Walter Martindale wrote: well. Ok.. STOP THAT!!!!

Sorry can't...... some one hand me a handkerchief.......bwahaahaahhhaaaa

Allright just serious for a moment..... titter.....
You could try balancing on your big toe like a ballet dancer......
Bwaaaaha aha haa haaa ahaaaa .... oh jaysus ........... bwaha haa ha aha it's just sooooo funny

what it means is that, the earth is a magnetic field, when you walk with shoes your body become an insulator, therefore earth's electrons can't access your body, however when you walk barefoot outside, your body 'reconnects' with earth and charges you with electrons.

the connection point is the feet (toes, heel and palm of your feet), this way energy is moving up into your torso and than to the rest of your body. the more grounded (barefoot on earth's ground - not a mat) the more you'll be charged with energy (which is beneficial to your health too, since our body is 90% water, we are a great conductors)