Technique Principle Application

Kihon, Kata, Kumite

Kihon:
Movement seeking technique

Kata:
Technique  seeking principle

Kumite:
Principle  seeking technique



R. Johns, Hanshi
9th Dan Dai Ichi Shotokan Karate-Do International

Karate Techniques & Principles

Karate technique are external

External techniques are block, punch, Kick, and strikes
A karate technique can be defensive or offensive

Karate principles are internal

Internal principles are Contraction expansion, Vibratory hip rotation, Rhythm and Timing

A karate principle can make your technique more effective

Karate principles cannot be defensive or offensive

10/14/12/jrg

Three ways to Study Kata

The Study of Kata using Taikyoku Shodan

1. Kata Wa Kumite Kata is fighting

2. Kata is technique seeking principle

Studying beginner kata should help understand more advanced kata. The style of martial arts should not matter. Here are three ways of studying beginner Kata. 

1. Reverse, 2. Stationary 3. Linear 

Hanshi R Johns 9th Dan

Dai Ichi Shotokan Karate Do

http://www.dska.org/index.htm

Taikyoku Shodan in Reverse 

To understand the kata

To reveal the application of bunki in between the techniques "bunki in transition" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfTfb1ZK-2E&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Taikyuku Shodan Stationary. 

Ko Waza short distance technique. Self-defense & close quarters fighting, Quick Footwork & reaction timing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqeFQ11rYEk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Taikyoku Shodan Linear 

Toma - long range technique Requires excellent footwork, the ability to be effectively at long range techniques through properly using timing & distance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-8TKf0NKl4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The importance of a straight posture

We learn and practice Karate to be able to control ourselves physically and psychologically. A karate practitioner should in fact focus more on getting that self control rather than being preoccupied about winning over an opponent. The reasoning behind this thought is that once one has mastery over his or her own body and mind, one has already won the battle; due to the physical agility and the self confidence that one acquires.

 The Karate practitioner trains over and over to be able to unlock the secrets and limitation of his/her own body. He or she learns several ways to use legs, hands, arms, torso, and head to both block and counter-attack. Karate practitioner also learns to use his or her body to gain reach and tactical advantage.

 It is important for the Karate practitioner to be able to move in and out of the opponent’s reach as easily and as quickly as possible. Although in Karate there are many different stances the practitioner should have the same agility and capability to move back and forth, and side to side. This should allow him/her to move out of harm’s way or to gage the proper distance for a strike. All the stances in Karate share one common thing and that is a straight back or a straight posture. In fact a straight back is such a common thing in Karate that one can notice it in the Karate practitioner’s stance out of practice. Thanks to Karate it is rare to see a “Karateka” slouching; he or she would usually be standing or sitting confidently with a straight back ready for action at all time.

 The beauty of physics is that it works as follow. With a straight back, perpendicular to the ground, a human body’s center of gravity is projected at the waist. The only effort the body has to do in this case is to lift its own weight up with the legs (the biggest muscle of the body); every other movement (back and forth, side to side) should be performed almost effortlessly. When the body is bent forward the center of gravity slides forward of the waist. In this case the body has to apply a greater force just to stand still. The body now is using different muscles just to gain balance. The weight of the body is not sitting neatly on top of the legs; it is rather spread past the waist requiring the help of the back’s muscles to keep the whole body from falling over. The same principle applies when the body is leaning backward, except that in this case the abdomen’s muscles are going to be called to help keeping the body from falling backward.

Bottom line, in Karate we try to optimize the use of our bodies to gain advantage over our opponents. With a straight back or straight posture the body seems to be easily manageable. Self inflicted injuries should automatically stop taking place because the body is using the proper muscles for the proper circumstances. With an incorrect posture one is asking the body to perform tasks using weaker muscles that were not supposed to be used for that specific action. Self inflicted injuries are not the only outcome of an incorrect posture. And incorrect posture physically limits the mobility and the agility of the fighter rendering him/her vulnerable to the opponent’s attacks.

It is important for a Karate practitioner and probably for all martial artists to keep a straight back while practicing their art. One has to be watchful and aware of his or her posture. There is a trick one can use to be able to put his or her back in the right position. If one makes it a habit to push the chest forward and up one can almost guaranty that his/her back is at the proper position.

The way we stand up should show confidence and should, to a certain extent, show intimidation. The bad guys or the bullies attack those that appear weak or those that are not capable of portraying confidence. It is a way to avoid conflict.


Maher Hedhili
06/01/2012

Inside and Outside of Kata & Kumite

Kata uses outside techniques to seek inner principles Kumite used inside principles to seek outside techniques Hanshi R. Johns  Dai Ichi Shotokan Karate Do http://www.dska.org/index.htm

Brown Belt Responsibility

To be a brown belt you have to be a good role model. All the lower ranks need to like and respect the brown belts. The brown belt’s job is to keep the dojo in place, keep the sensei informed with news and any changes happening in the dojo. Brown belts have to be at every class and know every drill to show their dedication to the dojo. They should be going to tournaments to represent for their dojo. Making sure they always do the right thing and always use Giri (to keep the spirit and respect of the sensei in and out of the dojo).  Keeping the lower ranks in line is a big responsibility for a brown belt. It’s important not to quit when you’re a brown belt because you have allot of people looking up to you.

Andrew M., Ni Kyu

Corpus Christi Downtown Karate

How Karate Has Affected Me

Karate training has constantly kept me busy and out of trouble. I have learned more techniques, movements, katas, and ways to fight than most people. During the summer, while kids are riding bikes or wasting time playing video games, I’m in the dojo learning karate or at tournaments earning metals and respect; but at the same time learning new things. I think karate has made me more aware of my surroundings and have more respect for things and people. Karate teaches you discipline, respect, and hard work; and that’s starting to rub off on me. When learning Kata (pre-arranged movements in a formal exercise), I’m learning ancient things way older than me and my Karateka (fellow karate students). Doing karate has kept me healthy and in good physical form. I’ve been to many places places, ate different foods, and explored cultures and languages of the places we go. Karate teaches me a second language, Japanese. I love Shotokan because of the way we move, the katas, and Kobudo. Kobudo (weapons) would have to be my favorite because of all the different weapons I can use. I use the Bo/staff more because it’s a great fit for me and it flows better to me. Shotokan Karate-Do has taught me so much, I’m still learning, and I’m far from done.

Bruce Joseph E., Ni Kyu

Corpus Christi Downtown Karate

Uchi Deshi from my point of view

Being an Uchi Dechi (assistant of the sensei) is a big responsibility. It also takes up a lot of your time. Being an Uchi Deshi is like being an assistant, but the only difference is it’s a part of traditional karate. Being an Uchi Deshi is about having a special bond with the sensei. You have to know where the sensei is if he is not with you, you have to make sure the dojo is clean and in order, and to Know all major events that are happening at the dojo. Also knowing all the kids and their parents that go to the dojo and they all have to know you. You have to know what the sensei likes to eat and drink. Being around the Sensei all the time, you get a lot of extra training and knowledge. Hanging out with the sensei is a very important part of being an Uchi Deshi.  An Uchi Deshi must be at the dojo every day.

Andrew M.,  Ni Kyu

Corpus Christi Downtown Karate

What I Know About Stances in Traditional Karate

In Karate, stances are half the battle. In kumite(sparring) you can’t have a short stance because you’ll get your feet swept from under you, or taken down. And if you have a wide stance, it’s harder to move and causing you to move slow. So you would want to be between those two. In Shotokan stances vary from front stance all the way to back stance, and after that, many more. Correct stances are important to kata because in kata you want to keep getting back to where you started in the back of your mind. In kihon (basics) we use deeper stances to strengthen our legs and for cardio. So stances play a big part in Shotokan karate Do.

Bruce Joseph. E. , Ni Kyu

Corpus Christi Downtown Karate

Karate

Karate is known as self-defense and Martial Arts. Karate is seen in movies, television and video games and videos on the internet. Books have been written, paintings made, weapons created, and clothing is worn. There are schools (DOJOs) that teach karate, studios that offer classes,  and videos that can show you karate. Law enforcement departments show their students and military branches instruct the personnel on how to defend them-selves by using their body. The study of Martial Arts has been around for 100s of years. Karate is studied in multiple forms from various parts around the world. In Martial Arts there are no try outs, nor is it seasonal such as competitive sports. Also karate is a lifelong study, that have educational and life skills that becomes part of the lives of the people that choose to learn. Celebrities are known to have studied or continue in the martial arts. In karate there are public demonstrations, tournaments are held, and the schools are known to share their notes with students of different styles. Martial Arts, Self Defense, or Karate is an art, a study even a style that many people enjoy, learn, and share in their life and express to those who want to know.

John, Ni Kyu

Corpus Christi Downtown Karate

Don’t give up your keys to the Dojo

  I like the Japanese people, I like to Japanese culture, and I really like the influence the Japanese culture has had on traditional karate; specifically Shotokan Karate Do.

There seems to be a lingering mind set within the Japanese karate community and the non-Japanese karate community that only Japanese karate masters (30 yrs. + training) are to manage, be in charge of, a karate club or notational organization. I appreciate the path and hard work that went into establishing Traditional Karate on a worldwide level.

I believe non-Japanese instructors with 30 plus years of training and experience are capable of managing their own organizations, clubs, and Dojo without any guidance or continued influence from Japanese Karate Ka.  Certainly not a Japanese instructor who is younger with less time, knowledge and experience should not be given a free pass based on his race. The thought that you are better at teaching, managing and as a practitioner just because you are Japanese should have been out to rest 20 years ago. There is not to my knowledge any large national Japan based karate organization led by a non-Japanese Karate Ka

This is not a rant against the Japanese people, the culture, or their karate. It is the mindset that has been an underlying unspoken attitude that should be done away with.  The same mindset and way of thinking by non-Japanese Karate Ka should be done away with. These individuals need to wake up and look to themselvess to manage themselves.

It is everyone’s right to choose their instructor, and organization, or whether they choose to go at it alone. I just want to bring to everyone's attention to that just because you are a certain race or notational origin.

It should not be automatic pass that you are better at whatever it is you are involved in because of race and no other factors, such as ability, knowledge, experience and hard work.

2/22/12/jrg©

What is Karate

Karate is known as self-defense and Martial Arts. Karate is seen in movies, television and video games and videos on the internet.

Books have been written, paintings made, weapons created, and clothing is worn. There are schools (DOJOs) that teach karate, studios that offer classes,  and videos that can show you karate. Law enforcement departments show their students and military branches instruct the personnel on how to defend them-selves by using their body. The study of Martial Arts has been around for 100s of years. Karate is studied in multiple forms from various parts around the world. In Martial Arts there are no try outs, nor is it seasonal such as competitive sports. Also karate is a lifelong study, that have educational and life skills that becomes part of the lives of the people that choose to learn.

Celebrities are known to have studied or continue in the martial arts. In karate there are public demonstrations, tournaments are held, and the schools are known to share their notes with students of different styles.

Martial Arts, Self Defense, or Karate is an art, a study even a style that many people enjoy, learn, and share in their life and express to those who want to know.

John, Ni Kyu
Corpus Christi Downtown Karate

Why I Like Karate

I like karate because it gets me energized and pumped up.  It is  good for self-defense.

Also it’s fun to do because you learn some Japanese. My favorite thing to do in karate is Kata because it’s technique seeking principle. There’s more like kihon, kumite, and kobudo. It’s exercising in a fun and cool way. I hope to get to black belt.

We also go out of town sometimes for tournaments and get medals and trophies. Also we go out of town just to practice at another dojo. 

Leo, age 13, San Kyu
Corpus Christi Downtown Karate

Why I Like Karate

The reason I like karate is because it teaches you self-defense.

 Self-defense is like if a person tries to fight you, you can know how not to get hurt. Many people think self-defense is bad to teach a kid, but it is not. Karate is a way to keep safe and a way to express anger without hurting people (in the dojo at least).

I also like karate because it gives you a goal; to get a black belt. Before I didn’t have a goal but now I have my eyes set on a black belt! Though all a black belt is, is a white belt that has worked hard. I have been to many dojos but not as good as CCDK. I love karate!

By: Isaiah, age 10, San Kyu
Corpus Christi Downtown Karate

Heian Nidan Kata Omote

The purpose of the Heian Kata Omotes.

1. To show a starting point for basic applications.

2. To show the overall spirit and kumite principles of the kata.

Heian Shodan Kata Omote basic level one

The purpose of the Heian Kata Omotes. 

1. To show a starting point for basic applications.

2. To show the overall spirit and kumite principles of the kata.