Kata

Introduction The Kihon Kata consists of three katas that are done in succession. Rarely will a Shorin-ryu school ask a student…

Prerequistes Natural Stance (Shizentai Dachi) Natural Stance is done by placing both feet shoulder width apart. The front foot (we…

Prerequistes High Reverse Punch (Judan Gyakuzuki) To perform a high reverse punch is identical to performing a middle reverse punch…

Prerequistes Rising Block (Age Uke) To perform a rising block, the blocking hand (same side as the foot that is…

Introduction The Naihanchi (Fighting with Stealth) Series is the first of the fundamental katas taught in our system. It should…

Prequisites Push Block (Osai Uke) To perform the “push” block commonly referred to as “lay”, the karateka turns their palm…

Prerequisites Single Hand Knife Block (Shuto Uke) Performed in horse stance, the blocking arm goes out almost completely straight with…

Prerequisites Long Stance (Zenkutsu Dachi) The front leg is bent and its toes are pointing forward. The back leg shoulder…

Introduction The Pinan Series is comprised of five katas. They were created by Yasutsune “Anko” Itosu. Sensei Itosu is often…

Prerequistes Cat Leg Stance (Neko Ashi Dachi) The cat leg stance is an advanced stance in Shorin-ryu. While being slightly…

Overview of the Kata Pinan Nidan is a much simpler kata than Pinan Shodan. The basic pattern for it is…

Overview The third kata in the Pinan Series is called Pinan Sandan. It introduces a few foundational concepts in Karate-Do…

Sequence Rei Yoi Left neko-ashi-dachi facing left, left chudan-shuto-uke, right jodan-shuto-uke Spin around to face right in right neko-ashi-dachi, repeat…

Sequence Rei Yoi Left-facing left neko-ashi-dachi, left chudan-ude-uke Right seiken-zuki with koshi-zuki Step up to forward-facing haisoku-dachi, left mawashi-zuki Step…

Tonight’s article is on my favorite kata, Okan. I first learned this kata as a 5th Kyu in Yamashita Shorin-ryu.…

Sequence Rei Yoi (left hand holds right fist in front of solar plexus, push out and down to cover groin)…

Sequence Rei Yoi (left hand holds right fist in front of solar plexus, push out and down to cover groin)…

Sequence Rei Yoi Right foot back to shiko-dachi, right kazure te-uke (backs of fists touching) Left soto shuto-uke (right shote…

More info coming soon.

Chinese Origins Anaku (also known as Ananku) is a kata that has its origins in Xing-Yi (also written Hsing-Yi or…

Sequence Rei Yoi (cover, open) Step out to hachiji-dachi, left kazure-te-gatana (left vertical fist, right hand wrapping it) Left foot…

 Sequence Coming Soon

From Dance to Practical Application In kata we practice sequences of techniques and choreographed steps and various stances.  In the…

The Development of Partner Drills Many (although not all) martial arts styles include partner drills in their curriculum, but in…

Sequence Rei Right hand covers left, flip hands over and point toes out in musubi-dachi, yoi Step right foot out…