How to practice Nami-gaeshi
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 …
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Author: Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Three levels of bunkai
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 …
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Ten Precepts of Karate
Anko Itosu (1831-1915)Ten Precepts of Karate 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 …
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Pinan or Heian
What should we call the five basic Kata from Itosu? Pinan or Heian? Itosu Ankō, the creator of the Pinan Kata. Itosu was raised in a strict home of the …
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Evaluating the quality of Kata, part 2
From Kusanku Dai Kata is a series of movements consisting of offensive and defensive combat techniques, which are composed of former Karate masters. To create Kata was a method of …
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Evaluating the quality of Kata, part 1
By learning Kata, you get the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the ancient masters. If you perform Kata with the right spirit, confidence, and humility, you will eventually …
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Take a breath
Many people make a big deal out of breathing, however, breathing is one of the first things you do when you are born! Breathe in, breathe out, that’s as simple …
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Practice Kihon
Kihon means basic technique; here we practice the basic techniques repeatedly. In addition to the technical aspects such as punches, blocks, and kicks, proper posture, balance, and breathing are also …
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The word Kime
I have been digging into the use of the word “Kime”. Most Karate people know the word, and most likely the meaning of it. At least they know what their …
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Overextending/Overstretched!
This article delves into a crucial aspect of martial arts, particularly in Karate – the potential risks associated with overstretching your elbow and knee joints during punching and kicking movements. …
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