Brandon Fisher
Master Black Belt
That 'theory' is incorrect. There are dojo/sensei here in Okinawa that use dit da jow (or other equivelent thereof) before and after training kotekitai and makiwara.
As far as some individuals being more genetically predisposed to such training, that goes without saying. We are all unique individuals with varying strengths and weaknesses.
The one thing all of us should keep in mind when training with such tools, is to train smarter, not harder. Moderation, consistancy, time, and rest are key when performing such exercises.
Being a Shorin Ryu practioner and training the makiwara like I was taught from people who were Okinawan or trained in Okinawa I have not had the issues that others who train with the makiwara differently have had. Slow and consistent wins the race here. My hands are very strong and hard but and I do have some signs of makiwara training on my hands but not extreme.
I can't wait to get to Okinawa in March, 2010 and experience the training first hand.