Use of force
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 …
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Author: Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Interpretation of techniques (short version)
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, …
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How to learn a Kata
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 …
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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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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
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 …
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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
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 remembering techniques, as …
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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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