Photo courtesy of Josh Smith
Orenaite (the unbendable arm) is not just a strong, isometric, elbow extension. It is actually part of a whole-body posture coordination trick. An example of the whole-body nature of orenaite is the effect that wrist posture has on the unbendable arm. Even though you might see the umbendable arm demo done with the hand in various postures, here's the best way to use unbendable arm in application:
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If you are pushing through the unbendable arm with the palm as the contact point, extend the wrist fully, so that the palm is facing away from you with the fingers upward. Try this experiment: Lay your relaxed arm on a table, and with your other arm, feel the triceps muscles on the back of the upper arm that is laying on the table. Now, leave that arm relaxed, but pull that wrist back as far as it will go into extension. Try to get the feel of “popping” your wrist into extension or perhaps of pushing your palm-heel forward by just pulling your fingers back. If you do this right, you will feel the triceps tighten.
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What does this mean? What is happening is the wrist posture is putting a slight tonus (standing contraction) on the triceps muscles that extend the elbow. You can leave that arm relaxed, but if anything runs into the extended palm, the tricep automatically reflexes into orenaite. So, orenaite not only benefits you in the ways previously mentioned, but it turns itself on and off automatically right when you need it!
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Patrick Parker, is a Christian, husband, father, judo and aikido teacher, Program Director for a Cardiac Rehab, and a Ph.D. Contact: mokurendojo@gmail.com or phone 601.248.7282
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