They are only "immobile" if you aren't hittin them hard enough. There is a process and a science behind this stuff. The Shaolin monks have been doing this type of training for thousands of years.

Well that depends on the thickness of the tree, doesn't it?
And of course, if it is a bendable tree =P
I use the makiwara, maybe not 100 times a day, but it gives results and kime anyvay. If it's traditional karate you are praticing, kime is what you need. And for that, you need the makiwara =) But the heavybag is good too, as it simulates a human body much better than the makiwara.
Iv'e heard that you shouldn't attach the makiwara on the wall, because if you hit the makiwara too hard when it's attached to the wall, you could break your hand.

Here's a link to a site that has some stuff about the makiwara:

http://www.ctr.usf.edu/shotokan/makiwara.html

Hi

I use both heavy and a light bag, maki wari and a maize ball.
The heavy bag is filled with maize and made from leather.
I use it for devolping all round technique.combinations etc.
The light bag is more for reaction time /speed as it will be swinging more as I hit or kick it.

The maiki wari for correct knuckle/joint/ limb alignment

The maize ball is for uppercuts blows under the chin etc and it is swinging and small so helps with accuracy

Hi.

I like your drive and it is of no business of mine what other people wish to do but I think the human body has limitations.

I practice on the maki wari, body conditioning and also do breaking as in wood etc. My hands are conditioned fairly good.

If I choose to go further with my conditioning then later in life I will not be able to grip,work etc etc and will more than likely suffer from extremely painfuls joints.

You mentioned you strike at trees?

can I ask how?

Iv'e heard that you shouldn't attach the makiwara on the wall, because if you hit the makiwara too hard when it's attached to the wall, you could break your hand


I think as well as poss breaking the hand it would be the wrist /elbow/ shoulder that would give.

One of my maki waris is a post in the ground as per the old methods.

The other is on a wall but this is sort of like a spring (hard to explain) effect in that it is two peices of wood joined in parts with a gap in parts(told you it was hard to explain)

Either way they both have some give.

Hitting a tree or anything attached to a wall has no give.

I have used both in my training, although only recently have I started using a makiwara regularly. I feel that unlike a heavy bag which starts to move away from you after the first inch of contact, the makiwara offers more resistance as the punch extends. It is a different sensation and has really helped me with the penetration of my strikes.

Come on! I thought you gents practice Karate! Sounds more like Cheerleading LOL! The idea in hitting the makiwara or other hard dense object is to toughen the hands and feet to turn them into weapons of iron or in essence it was to make them formiable opponents for the Sword. I see nothing wrong with hittinging a heavy bag to practice speed, accuracy, and to learn to hit a moving target just don't get to over zealous heavy bags don't hit back like a human. You should hit a makiwara or tree or rock or what ever hard surface you can at least 100 times a day.

also for your info I am more than eighty years old and I have been pounding trees and Makiwara and faces since I was about 13 years old. I do not have any Arthiritis nor any damage to my Joints. However, I am Bald and Wrinkled like a Prune! No Juice about it!

Quote by senseiaverywax -

Quote:

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You should hit a makiwara or tree or rock or what ever hard surface you can at least 100 times a day.

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With all due respect sensei, that is horrible advice.