Stahara

In jiujitsu, the Stahara is the abdominal region. It includes the abdominal muscles, the diaphragm, the solar plexus and the center of gravity. The control over the Stahara increases the balance of a person by shifting his center of gravity lower. The Stahara is used as leverage in all basic combat moves, i.e. throws. The term itself was introduced by Captain Allan Corstorphin Smith, a U.S. Infantry hand-to-hand combat instructor. The word derived from "shita hara" - the lower abdomen. Since it is pronounced "sh'ta" (hara being the same word met in hara kiri -- abdomen cutting -- the Japanese method of suicide) Smith simplified it to "Stahara", for his Doughboys.

It is said that "The weakest man's stahara is stronger than the strongest man's arm".

External links

* [http://ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_cptsmith_0700.htm An article about the use of the Stahara in Jiujitsu]