A very common fault

of people not understanding this principle or who cannot be bothered to study it during their practice, is to attempt a levering type action with the right hand and pivot the Shinai from the left hand. Whilst the ratio of correct stroke is 24 to 1 the latter ratio will only be about 3 to 1 so whilst, the levering section appears easy through ignorance it is in fact making very hard work of the cut. It is better to start correctly from the very beginning and loosen the shoulders well. The outward feeling and spaciousness of technique is also essential in developing the Kokyu or 'breath power' essential to Budo.