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 as it can be said, and thus ends this article. Just kidding 😉 Or am I? The focus on breathing is not only about health, Read More ...
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 trained. As the popularity of Karate grew, especially after Karate reached Japan, Kihon became an integral part of daily training. Of course, training of the Read More ...
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 Sensei has told them, and this is of course right 😉 However, the definition is manifold. The use of the word Kime in Karate can Read More ...
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. I will explore the importance of proper technique execution and the significance of controlled muscle contractions to prevent injuries and optimize your performance. Whether you Read More ...
In the following, I will try to clarify what I understand by Kime. There have been a lot of different explanations for Kime over time. One explanation is that one’s Gi must give a loud “snap” while punching. If there is a loud “snap” the technique was done correctly. Now the technique is performed with Read More ...
I already gave you my interpretation of Kiai in part 1, and as such, I will not go into depth with this again. Nonetheless, it can’t be avoided that I get into the topic anyway, as concepts like Kime, Kiai, and breathing are unequivocally related. Most of all, in the following I will deal with Read More ...
Kiai and Kime have a certain kind of mystery in Karate and have been highlighted as something supernatural. Kime and Kiai were often associative with power, focus, and of course the famous snap of the Gi. The mystification has gone fast over the past few decades, but there is nothing mysterious about Kiai, Kime, and Read More ...
Rules about the Embusen (Line of movement) First, we need to define the term “Kiten”. Wikipedia says: .. “nearly all Japanese-influenced Kata start and end on exactly the same Embusen point (Kiten)”. We conclude that the Kiten is the starting and ending point of the Kata. … Great! However, was it originally the intention that Read More ...
This article is about an alternative approach to the basic block Shuto-uke. The well-known basic use of Shuto-uke. My interpretation: Shuto-uke Shuto-uke can be used just like Uchi-uke or Gedan-barai, just with open hands. Instead of blocking Oi-zuki as you usually would do (see picture above), then try to split Shuto-uke into two parts, just Read More ...
This article is about an alternative approach to the basic block Gedan-barai. The well-known basic use of Gedan-barai. Everybody knows that one, so no further comments unless you have some! My interpretation: Gedan-barai Again I split the basic technique into two parts. The first two pictures; I use the first part of Gedan-barai to block/control Read More ...
