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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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?
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.