As a dama player always seeking to improve, I try to pull from everything else that isnt kendama. For example, 1. Bowling has kept my wrist loose and strong 2. Tennis keeps my stamina up and my knees flexible 3. Watching a ton of Kuma films vids of other performance/skill disciplines motivates me and inspires new combos and variations for me to do. I am also attempting to pick up hacky sack, contact juggling, diablo, and balisong (and also begleri if I could find one), while also playing popular kendama alternatives such as bilboquet, terra pills, and kururin. SO MY QUESTION IS... What other hobbies/sports/activities do you do that directly improve your kendama game, and what hobbies would you pick up to cross train for kendama?
I don't know if I'm the only one that does this, but I like to balance an empty water bottle on my pinky finger to practice the motion for a border balance. Although it doesn't really help much, it helps me to keep my body as still as possible so that I don't force the bottle to fly off.
cigar box juggling has helped me with using my knees more and hand/arm agility. i'm still a newbie with it but i can notice how aspects can translate to dama. if you haven't yet, check out TGP Begleri's etsy shop! some of his sets he makes/lathes himself. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TGPBegleri
I picked up juggling after kendama, and you can definitely take aspects of one to benefit the other. Certain combos, patterns, and overal flow of tricks are a good example. In addition to betterhande he coordination, it helps inspire creativity of tricks! I also enjoy long distance running, but the only thing I can really think of related to that is endurance! Not so much physically, but being able to push yourself at a point where you think you could give up. Keeping the grind going!
When it comes to a starting setup I'd prefer an established maker to make one for me before I start makeshifting some, so I know how they feel and what I want in the begleri before I experiment
Yeah I know but it's the usual recommendation for people. A while ago, it was kinda hard to get begleri, so making your own was the way to go. Definitely buy some if you can. You won't regret it, it's super fun
Kururins are the jam. Just loosens me up. They actually are a much better stress reliever than kendama for all who don't know. Everyone needs to pick one up when KUSA drops them again on the 20th
About begleri I made one with two socket wrench heads and Paracord and it works but my first one I made out of two moth balls so hope it helps. It is really hard to find a good performance begleri most of them are more display so I recommend making your own but that's just me.
Monkey knuckles are super fun. Made by the same guy behind around square begleri. Been playing them a long time with a modded pair of astrojax (also really fun). For cheaper begleri. If you look On etsyfor monkeyfist begleri. They do paracord begleri pretty cheap and will even do a custom order Edit: here is the link. https://www.etsy.com/shop/MonkeyFistBegleri