Are you doing strength training alongside your Karate? If not, then maybe you should consider it. Strength training is essential for your development within Karate. The purpose of strength training is to build muscle mass around the joints so that they are protected and more stable during Karate training. Strength training can protect your joints […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Some instructors claim that Kata harbors hidden techniques, asserting that these were concealed during Karate’s integration into the Okinawan school system to prevent potentially dangerous injuries. The notion was that by veiling these techniques, students could focus on the health-promoting aspects of Karate. However, despite hearing about these hidden techniques, I’ve never encountered a demonstration […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
An important point to keep in mind in Karate is the use of force! If you practice Karate solely with force, your body will tense up. Making explosive attacks or reacting to an attack will be more difficult, and the speed of your techniques will be reduced by excessive use of force (tension). Conversely, the […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Most practitioners of Karate do not pay much attention to the whole technique. I think that is a fundamental mistake. Let us take Gedan-barai as an example; in most cases, it is used as a block against a front kick. Think out of the box Try to think out of the box, think grappling, and […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Learning a Kata is a nuanced process that involves more than just mastering patterns and techniques. Here’s a step-by-step guide: Initial Learning. When starting with a new Kata, begin by grasping the pattern (Embusen) and techniques on a surface level. Take your time and avoid rushing through, as mastery requires a solid foundation. Refinement. After […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Nami-gaeshi translates into “wave return”, a more understandable description is “returning wave”. The name of the technique refers to the movement that the leg performs. The leg movement resembles an ocean wave, rolling out and back onto the shore. Nami-gaeshi is widely used in the Naihanchi series but is also found in other Katas. Exercise […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Bunkai means “to break down”, and thus describes the whole process that lies in breaking down and understanding the application of the techniques in a Kata; we simply peel a Kata apart and take a closer look at the application of the individual techniques. The extracted techniques are called Ōyō. Bunkai 分解; disassembly; dismantling; disaggregating; […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
In October 1908, Anko Itosu (1831-1915) wrote a letter, “Ten Precepts of Karate,” to draw the attention of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of War in Japan. This document is probably one of the most important historical texts written ever. This letter was contributing, perhaps decisive, to make Karate widely known. Most of […]