Hyah!

[Rye]

I dunno why, but this word makes me laugh so much. Why do Karate people say "Hyah!"? I know they say something because it supposedly empowers them, but why that word? What other words do you find funny?

[Psychotic]

HYAH!

Damn right.

[Resha]

I find Neel saying BWA all the time hilariously funny. I don't know why!? xDDDDDD

[Nod]

its a form of 'kiaii'- if thats how its spelt

as you said, its a sound that goes with a movement. i think, but i dont know for sure, someone else will though!

[Old Manus]

They all like Outkast, but cannot bring themselves to wear green clothes.

[Faris]

I use to do martial arts. It's to scare away your attacker, or suprise them.

Hello Rye... HYAH!

[My name is...something..?]

I study martial arts currently.
It's used to make your opponents flinch and or blink so you can catch them off guard.
HYAH!!!!

[Rye]

They all like Outkast, but cannot bring themselves to wear green clothes.

xD!

Hi Ashley... HYAH!

[Necronopticous]

I find the word "Bengalaas" slightly amusing... Okay maybe more than slightly.

[Levian]

Dunno what's up with this whole HYAH thing. I usually yell "the former republic of macedonia" whenever I kick. Oh well.

[Sepho]

KIAI!!

Perhaps something to do with the release of energy? I'm thinking it's the same idea behind powerlifters screaming when they lift.

[Big D]

Using a 'kiai' of some kind is extremely empowering. You can kick, hit and throw incredibly hard if you just YELL at the same time that you do it.

Also, it can psychologically disempower your opponent.

Try it someday! Next time you're chopping wood or breaking something in a fit of frustration, go "eeeeeeyAAAAAAHHH!" when you do it. Unleash some raw power. It works wonders.

There's no particular word that's "supposed" to be used, but "hyah" just comes naturally, I guess. You've got the build-up from the quiet "hy" part, then the release from the bellowed "-AH!"

Edit:
[q=Sepho]I'm thinking it's the same idea behind powerlifters screaming when they lift.[/q]Exactly.

[Hawkeye]

BigD got it right. Not only does it show power, but adding extreme sound effects in a street fight can mentally affect your opponet, and give you more prowess during a fight . Dead usefully really.

You should see some competition karate katas; THATS intense power.

Kiai!

[Dolentrean]

I am in martial arts and the people here got it pretty right, it varies from style to style but the reasons for it are many. First of the word hiya is not a necessity, it is any word you can form into a loud short yell, (I have heard HEI, ICE, DI, KI, KISA ect.) it is used as an empowerment, to make you look strong, and also it is to release all the air from you lungs as you are struck so your ribs don’t break if you get hit (that is why you normally give a kiop during a technique that leaves you slightly open)

[Pheesh]

Perhaps something to do with the release of energy? I'm thinking it's the same idea behind powerlifters screaming when they lift.

so, do they say HYAH when they fart?

Peace out and :rock:
EE