The Silk Thread of Gorindo - Ottawa - Canada
Issue 19
- Visit of Maestro Vicente Nogueroles
Photo cover 'Claudio Iedwab's step’ ©2012 Photo by Roxanne Standefer
Kihon - How to Walk
Walking - Kiba-dachi
• Stepping Forward
Assume the horse stance with both hands on the hips, with the right foot backward.
Keep the head oriented forwards in the direction of motion throughout the step.
Move your right foot to meet the left in a straight line. Keep both knees together. Maintain the sole of the foot close to the floor (almost a sheet of paper distance), but avoid dragging it; creating unnecessary friction and reducing the step’s speed and motion flow.
1st phase of the step: Pivot the left foot half way while the rear foot comes together, until you have both of them pointing forward. Bend the knees gently and keep them close. Keep the hips facing forward. Hips and torso are oriented towards the direction of your step.
The whole body will smoothly rise slightly upwards and down in a wave motion. Avoid a sharp pick up and dropping down.
2nd phase of the step: Continue pivoting the left foot until is in a 180° angle from the original starting position. Turn, showing your profile to the front, stepping out with the right foot until you assume kiba-dachi facing in the opposite direction from your original kiba-dachi. As you step you want the moving foot to draw a straight line forward. Ending the step when you gently assume the final stance, touching the floor first with the toes, then with the heel, ending with the adjustment of body distribution, proper length, knees flexed as described in previous lessons with all the correct points of stance already learned.
• Stepping Backward
Reverse the actions previously described in stepping forwards. Be sure that initially you move the rear foot (pivoting on the toes and metatarsals to orient the heel backward) and then move the front foot backward in a straight line fashion, touching the floor with the toes first and then moving the heel to a 180° angle from its original starting position. Pay close attention to the body weight distribution of kiba-dachi.
by Claudio Iedwab & Roxanne Standefer
Originallly published in the Gorindo Student Manual by Claudio Iedwab & Roxanne Standefer
©2012 Illustrations by Claudio Iedwab
- Visit of Maestro Vicente Nogueroles
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