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Dama Back / Compensatory Movements

Discussion in 'The Sesh' started by sammelkorn, Oct 23, 2017.

  1. sammelkorn

    sammelkorn Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2017
    Hey everyone,

    I was wondering how you guys deal with Dama-related aches and tension in the body (especially in the back). I already put this question up on Reddit, but no answers so far. Let me show you what I mean.

    I'll copy and paste the text, if that's alright, the link to the original Reddit entry, for the sake of transparency. I think it would be best if you responded right here on Downspike as the reach seems to be bigger here than on r/kendama. For people who might be wondering the same in the future, you know.

     
    Oct 23, 2017
  2. Gasiek

    Gasiek Slayer

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2017
    Location:
    Poland Wrocław
    Once I went to Berlin to compete in a KendamaClash, and on the previous day there was a grill. I played dama like 7 hours non stop. When I came "home" I thought that I won't be able to compete next day... I couldnt bend down. I was sleeping at my friends bedsit, and I was sleeping on a very thin mattress, so I slept on a quite hard ground. This saved my back. Sleeping on a hard ground is good for back, and next day I haven't felt pain and I was competing and I even won.
    When I play kendama I try to thinkabout keeping my back straight, but I also know that it is bad for knees.
    Summarizing, Kendama is totally worth it :D
     
    Oct 23, 2017
  3. nikki_deo

    nikki_deo Slayer

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2016
    Location:
    ATX
    I find laying down on a hard flat ground for a while really helps, and there's like a few yoga poses I use that help with back pain.
    Disclaimer: By no means, I'm an expert (or have much experience) in yoga at all. I just found these stretches helped my back feel better after slouching all day. haha
    loop up these:
    • upward facing dog
    • child's pose
    • and there's another one i can't think of the name but you sit down with your legs stretched out in front of you then bring one knee close, take the opposite side arm (if you bring right knee up, use left arm and visa-versa), place the elbow of that arm on the outer side of the knee and twist.
     
    Oct 23, 2017
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  4. Cheech_Sander

    Cheech_Sander Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2016
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Squats mang.
    I deadlift and squat heavy weights consistently, and I have put my body through the ringer skiing, skating, biking, hockey, etc. Nothing ever hurts on me. I am indestructuble and thats just the way it is :D
     
    Oct 23, 2017
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  5. htimSxelA

    htimSxelA Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2016
    Location:
    Vancouver
    If I do the same moves repeatedly (like, 30+ mins), I'll usually start to feel something in my back go a bit off. Filming situations are when this usually happens.

    My fix is usually some simple stretches, and switching up to practice a different trick intermittently.
     
    Oct 23, 2017
    James Hoang likes this.
  6. goenKendama

    goenKendama Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    Location:
    Metro Manila, Philippines
    Count your blessings. Hope it continues for you that way. ;)

    Reminds me of that line from the Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen: Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

     
    Oct 23, 2017
  7. johndmc

    johndmc Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2017
    Location:
    Maidstone, Kent, UK
    Is it your upper or lower back that hurts?
     
    Oct 24, 2017
  8. Gasiek

    Gasiek Slayer

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2017
    Location:
    Poland Wrocław
    My lower part of my back hurts if you would like to know.
     
    Oct 24, 2017
  9. johndmc

    johndmc Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2017
    Location:
    Maidstone, Kent, UK
    Try some squats with your legs as wide as you can go and see if it makes a difference
     
    Oct 24, 2017
    Gasiek likes this.
  10. Donuts

    Donuts Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2017
    Location:
    Winnipeg Canada
    I’ve been lifting weights for about 5 years, 2 of which pretty seriously. I’ve injured my back along with other things and have found some things to give me relief... best thing to do is stretch the opposing muscles and strengthen the target muscles. In your case you want to find stretches for your hips (just simply Youtube hip mobility) and even your ab muscles. Also you want to exercise your back and even your glute muscles. Deadlifts with good form do wonders for your back.

    Other things, such as foam rolling your back can help a lot, as well as doing cat/cow stretches (again, Youtube) before you do whatever activity you’re planning on doing. Feel free to hit me up with any other questions.
     
    Oct 24, 2017
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  11. Cheech_Sander

    Cheech_Sander Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2016
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    In reality I have had 10 concussions, broken my hip, my hand twice, torn my MCL and Meniscus in my right knee, shattered my collarbone and the dreaded high ankle sprain. But none of it makes my body hurt, ever. (yet).
    except a persistent ringing in my ears and memory loss from the concussions.
     
    Oct 24, 2017
  12. goenKendama

    goenKendama Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    Location:
    Metro Manila, Philippines
    Like I said. . . ;)

    The ringing ears is Tinnitus? I didn't know concussions could do that too. I've got that same problem but for different reasons.

    As a friend of mine used to say "Age, it's not the years it's the mileage."
     
    Oct 24, 2017
  13. sammelkorn

    sammelkorn Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2017
    Thanks for the replies everyone.

    Definitely feeling them yoga poses, especially the twisty one with the knee... and Cat/dog.
    For me it's usually the lower back on the side I'm leaning to (right handed -> right lower back).

    Also a fan of oblique (=lateral abdominals) activation drills, like kicking up diagonally to the other side.

    BTW, I also think quad (i.e. front of the thigh) and calf stretches are important for usa .dama players

    ------------------

    any suggestions for knee friendly kendama play?
     
    Nov 22, 2017
  14. goenKendama

    goenKendama Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    Location:
    Metro Manila, Philippines
    Learn to use your arm/shoulder to compensate for the movement you lose when you don't use your knees. Try doing a bunch of different kinds of tricks sitting just as a challenge. Who knows you may end up making a well known edit on an airplane some day utilizing some of those skills. ;)

     
    Nov 23, 2017