Editing Kiai (section)

==Use in martial arts==
[[File:Kiai.JPG|thumb|A man using ''kiai'' while performing a ''[[kata]]'']]
Students of [[Japanese martial arts]] such as [[aikido]], [[karate]], [[Okinawan kobudō|kobudo]], [[kendo]], [[taido]] or [[judo]] (or related arts such as [[taiko]] drumming) use ''kiai'' to startle an opponent, intimidate, express confidence or express victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://breakingmuscle.com/mind-body/the-vital-role-of-the-kiai-grunt-and-otherwise-noisy-exhale|title=The Vital Role of the Kiai, Grunt, and Otherwise Noisy Exhale|website=Breaking Muscle|date=12 November 2012 }}</ref> In [[kendo]], for example, a point is only given by the Shinpan (referees) if the hit is accompanied by a strong, convincing ''kiai''. A ''kiai'' can also be used besides tightening the core muscles to prevent damage to the stomach. The physical aspects of a ''kiai'' are often used to teach a student proper breathing technique when executing an attack which is a common trait adopted by many other foreign martial arts and combat sports. A ''kiai'' is also sometimes used to intimidate.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

This is especially useful for longer series of attacks such as ''[[kirikaeshi]]'', ''kakari geiko'' (rapid partner exercise creating openings) and ''uchikomi geiko'' (responding fast to openings made by the partner).{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Mental imagery techniques are used to teach the martial artist to imagine starting a ''kiai'' in the [[hara (tanden)|hara]] or [[dantian]]; from a physiological perspective, this means the yell should start in the diaphragm, not the throat.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}