Holding your own weight

[HeatherMac]

I would like to know how many of you think being able to hold your own weight, is necessary in being able to perform the moves you want to perform in Shorinji Kempo. And did any of you go on any special diet to lose any unnecessary weight that you had, if any, and if so...what can I do to get into the condition for fitness that I want to be in, which is to be more flexible in my back, and legs, and to strengthen my wrists. suggestions welcome. For those who'd like to know...I'm about 180 pounds, and I'm 5'4", and I should weigh according to this chart in a book...about 140 pounds is considered healthy, making me moderately overweight. help anybody, please.

[Luar]

I would like to know how many of you think being able to hold your own weight, is necessary in being able to perform the moves you want to perform in Shorinji Kempo. And did any of you go on any special diet to lose any unnecessary weight that you had, if any, and if so...what can I do to get into the condition for fitness that I want to be in, which is to be more flexible in my back, and legs, and to strengthen my wrists. suggestions welcome. For those who'd like to know...I'm about 180 pounds, and I'm 5'4", and I should weigh according to this chart in a book...about 140 pounds is considered healthy, making me moderately overweight. help anybody, please.

I am not sure what you mean by "hold your own weight."

If you are looking to lose weight then it is my personal belief that you will need to supplement your training with some other form of exercise as I do not believe Shorinji Kempo is an effective means for that. I do believe it will give you the mental discipline to accomplish that goal but unless you train every day and intensely, I just don't think as an activity it will do a lot in terms of weight loss.

On the other hand, having the extra weight should not handicap you. SK is about learning to use your body and if you know how to do that, you will be surprise at what you can do. Right now you are at a level where you are doing techniques with your arms. One day you will start to discover of using instead the power of your hips. Having that extra weight could be beneficial.

Have fun

[Brady Robinson]

Healthy weight and diet are hugely important factors in living a healthy lifestyle. As far as Shorinji Kempo is concerned though, I think people of all fitness levels can acheive very highly. Repeated practice will condition you and help you become accustomed to the demands of the art, so it's not absolutely necessary to train outside of Shorinji Kempo solely to become better at it. I'd say it's advisable and desireable, but you can get by without it.