Friday 19 February 2010

Learn Karate Online

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!



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