I began breaking boards and red bricks in the standard Karate style way, with lifting one end up before the impact. Making sure with boards to have the grain going along the width not the length, and shouting a very loud Japanese Kiai (thought by many to be the actual physical manifestation of the all elusive internal Chinese Chi before impact), I would practice diligently. To many, this would be the goal not the beginning. Breaking these things bare-handed, was, my practice heavy bag, or wooden makiwara.