Heian Shodan Shotokan Karate Kata

http://karateclassesonline.com Heian Shodan, translates as peaceful mind first level, practiced in nearly all Shotokan Karate dojo. It is one of the most basic karate kata and is usually the first or second kata a karateka learns. Some karate dojo have kihon kata (Taikyoku Shodan), also know as 'kihon', as the first kata and some dojo have heian shodan as the first. The heian series is similar to the Pinan series of kata. Heian shodan kata is used as the first or second karate kata, practiced in most shotokan karate dojo.

 

 

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The original name for Tekki is Naihanchi or Naifuanchi, which was originally taught to the Okinawan karateka by a Chinese martial artist. Master Gichin funakoshi changed the name Naihanchi, to Tekki, but many karate groups still use Naihanchi.

Before the Heian/Pinan kata were developed, Naihanchi/Tekki was the first kata taught, in many karate dojo on Okinawa.

There are three Tekki kata in the shotokan karate system, Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan and Tekki Sandan. Tekki translates as 'Iron Horse', Shodan translates as 'level 1', Nidan 'level 2' and Sandan 'level 3'.

The majority of the karate techniques in Tekki Shodan are executeded in Kiba dachi (horse riding stance), and they are small strikes and blocks, therefore, generating speed and power, can be difficult. Karate moves such as kage zuki (hook punch), mawashi enpi (round elbow) and gedanbarai (downward block), all involve short distance execution, from an awkward stance (kiba dachi).

To be performed correctly, Tekki shodan requires strong legs and hips, as all the techniques in this karate kata are short and require power from the legs and hips. With correct and continued Tekki Shodan training, the legs and hips become very strong and the ability to strike at close range improves dramatically.

Many karateka rely solely on body weight. For instance, when stepping forward oizuki (stepping punch), if you are stepping forward with the right leg, it is the left leg the drives you forward form the half way position, try not to simply fall forward. Be sure to try and use the whole body and legs to generate power with your karate techniques, especially when practicing Tekki Shodan.

The first move in the kata, is where you look to the right and drop your weight down sharply, ankles crossed (left over right), just keeping the left foot off the floor. On the second move, you lift your right knee up to the centre, then push strongly into the floor with the left leg, this will drive you into the next move, which is haishu uke (back hand block), with the right arm, in kiba dachi. You then deliver a mawashi empi (round elbow), into the open right hand, with the left arm. As with the second move, you once again drive from the left leg, there should be no visual appearance in the legs, it should be done from within the leg, only the hips should be seen to move, which should also be used strongly.

Tekki Shodan has many conditioning elements for the soon to be brown belts and advanced karateka. Practicing Tekki, not only strengthens the hips and legs, it helps develop the ability to strike with short, close in karate techniques, which is very important, considering many karate moves are medium to long range.

So if you are looking for a good kata tip, work, work and work, Tekki Shodan!

Learn Karate At Home?

Is it possible to learn karate at home? If you are thinking about starting karate, getting some online information, is a good idea. With some online tutorials, you will be able to understand what to expect if you attend a karate club.

But if you have some video instruction, I only recommend using them at the same time you attend classes conducted by a qualified karate instructor and the moves you practice, will be basics (kihon) or forms (kata).

Karate is an incredible art form that has developed over thousands of years of evolution giving us the karate we have today. There are thousands of karate for beginners classes starting every day, where people, young and old start to learn karate for the first time.

 

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Hundreds and thousands of people are starting karate classes every day, and there is no better way to compliment your dojo training, than looking at the resources that enable you to learn karate online.

Not just individuals, thousands of families around the world are realizing the physical and psychological benefits of attending karate classes. When the families get home from karate training, the parents, just like individuals, are online, looking for the karate moves that they just practiced at the dojo.

In today's fast paced world, it is great to be able to access karate tutorials online. You can then learn karate online, from anywhere and at any time, the internet truly is, an incredible phenomenon.

Saying that, there are some words of caution when trying to learn karate online.

1. You have no Sensei (teacher), watching over you at home.
2. Bad habits can quickly develop.
3. It is sometimes hard to focus, when you are practicing on your own.
4. When practicing the karate kata (forms), space may be an issue.

So here are a few tips to apply when trying to learn karate at home.

1. I always make a quick note of the karate moves, I am about to practice.
2. When I have finished each exercise, I always tick or cross out, on my list of karate moves
3. Be strict with your time allotted for each exercise and STICK to it.
4. If you can, at the next karate class, ask your sensei to check your karate techniques.

The internet is an incredible resource and training tool, try not to just work on technique, look into the history and philosophy of the martial arts. As master Gichin Funakoshi said, 'The ultimate aim of the art of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants'. Ossu!

Bassai Dai Shotokan Karate Kata

http://karateclassesonline.com Bassai Dai translates as "To storm a fortress" and is practiced in many styles of karate. There are many variations of the original Passai, which was the original name for Bassai. It is believed that there were two versions of Passai practiced on Okinawa. Karate master, Sokon Matsumrua brought one Passai kata to Okinawa, from China and the other was taught to Okan Oyadomari on Okinawa, by a Chinese martial artist, who resided there. The one we are referring to here, is the shotokan Bassai Dai, which many believe came from the Okan Oyadomari lineage. In many shotokan karate dojo, Bassai dai is the first intermediate brown belt kata that a new brown belt karateka practices. Many shotokan karateka use Bassai dai to test for all their brown belt examinations and indeed, the coveted black belt test.

 

Karate Moves Online

Welcome to karate moves online.

If you want to learn karate at home, it really should be done at the same time as attending karate classes, with a qualified karate sensei.

Here is a video of how to make the karate fist.