Karate Classes 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.

Kata (form), is a set sequence of karate moves, ranging from a few really basic karate moves, up to hundreds of the really advanced techniques. These techniques are strung together in a predetermined order, that in some instances, has not changed for hundreds of years.

These forms start from the white belt kata, which have very basic block and punch combinations, progressing through the karate belt system, up to the karate kata that have jumps, spins, kicks, strikes, throws, sweeps, etc.

Many people misunderstand kata. There are many benefits attached to kata practice and simply learning the correct karate moves in the right order is the easy part.

Apart from the obvious fitness benefits associated with forms practice, there are many deeper benefits.

When you perform a karate form fast, you should imagine you are fighting for real, every fast strike should be performed like your life depends on it and it should be the same with every fast block.

They should be practiced with correct timing, breathing, distance and kime (focus).

From the first rei (bow), to the last rei, you are in a fight and the fight is only as strong as your imagination and spirit!

In the younger karateka, the fight in the form is everything, in the latter years, fighting gives way to health and the karate kata take on a whole new meaning. But that’s another article.

When people attend karate classes for the first time, basic moves are first practiced, pretty soon after this, the first form is taught.

When a new karateka starts to learn karate kata for the first time, it is very confusing, the sensei will say, ‘imagine you are fighting someone’. When no one is there, this can seem a little confusing. Imagination is needed when practicing kata, imagine you are being attacked and imagine you are striking an aggressor, this type of training will ensure strong karate kata.

The history of the heian kata (original name Pinan), is a subject of much debate. Many karate historians believe the karate moves contained in the heian kata, come from the kata Kusanku, which is the original name of the shotokan kata, Kanku Dai (to view the sky). They say that master Itosu thought Kusanku (kanku dai), was too long and contained too many karate moves for new karateka to learn. So he took Kusanku and divided it up into the five heian kata.

Other karate historians believe the hiean kata were developed from the long Chinese kata, Channan.

Another theory says Channan kata is the Heian Kata.

Whatever the history of the Heian kata, they are now practiced by millions of karateka worldwide and play an integral part of every shotokan karate practitioners development.

The five heian kata are,

1. Heian Shodan (Peaceful mind, first level)
2. Heian Nidan (Peaceful mind, second level)
3. Heian Sandan (Peaceful mind, third level)
4. Heian Yondan (Peaceful mind, fourth level)
5. Heian Goodan (Peaceful mind, fifth level)

Many karate styles and organisations have kept the original name of Pinan. Master Gichin Funakoshi, who trained under Master Itosu, changed the name Pinan to Heian, when he first took Okinawan karate to mainland Japan.

Heian Shodan is a basic shotokan karate kata and consists of single stepping strikes and blocks. Heian Nidan has the first example of simultaneous block/strike techniques. Heian Sandan has the first use of Kibadachi (horse riding stance), in a shotokan kata and Heian Yondan has the very technical double block/strike techniques.

The fifth and last in this kata series, is Heian Godan. This kata has very fast one/two combinations, starting with the first two karate moves and finishing with the last two karate moves in the kata. Godan also has the first jump in a shotokan karate kata.

Whatever the real story is, behind the origins of the Heian/Pinan, one thing is for sure. A shotokan karateka who has had a solid background in the Heian kata, stands out, from those who have not!

A day to learn, a life time to master!

I believe karate kata is the soul of karate, but learning karate kata, can be difficult, frustrating, disappointing and many people miss the true meaning of the kata.

At first and only at first, think of a karate kata as a wood carver would think of a new carving. Let us say the wood carver is going to carve a beautiful tiger, they would have the piece of wood ready, obviously looking nothing like a tiger.

They would then start carving, after a while, you would see the basic shape of the tiger, but it would still look pretty rough. Gradually the carver would chip away at the wood, until a perfect tiger is revealed.

Technically, you and your karate kata, are the same as the wood carver and their wood.

1. The first objective with a new kata, is to simply piece together the moves, so you can get through the whole kata slowly, it may look rough, but you know what move goes where and in what direction.
2. Now is the time to start working on each individual karate technique. Try and get a technical understanding of each karate move and know the application for each technique.
3. Now repeat each kata move, slowly and fast, working on technique and meaning (application). When you practice the moves fast, imagine each karate technique is your last and your life depends on it!
4. Each karate kata has a unique rhythm. Timing varies from kata to kata, but once you understand the meaning, the timing will become clear.
5. Now you understand the technique, meaning and timing, it is time to practice the whole kata. At first, try and apply the timing whilst going through the kata slowly, then as you get more confident, speed up.
6. Now it is time for repetition and attention to the small details. By now you should have a good understanding of your new karate kata.
7. Application and partner work. This is where you can practice the karate techniques of the kata against an opponents attacks. The first way, is to defend against an attack, using the techniques, just as they are in the kata. The second way is to take the karate moves out of the kata and use them in self defense situations, where the techniques may vary from the original form.

So there is seven tips on shotokan karate kata practice. I hope they help and remember the saying, ‘karate kata! A day to learn, a life time to master’.

We live in a fast paced world, technology seems to be taking over, so where is it all heading for the kids?

No longer do kids go play in the park, or build a camp in the local woods, instead, they stay cooped up at home, sitting In front of the TV, with the latest offering from the computer games universe. It is so easy for kids to become inactive and end up overweight or even obese!

The kids who go learn karate, not only get much needed exercise and social interaction, karate also encompasses character building and life skills.

Karate is steeped in philosophy as well as ancient fighting techniques. Great karate masters of old, preach character building over fighting. Master Gichin Funakoshi said, “The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of character of its participants“.

A good karate instructor will not only teach karate moves, a good karate school will encourage all the positive life skills like, achievement, humility, determination, respect, effort, etc.

A karateka (someone who practices karate), will be taught to respect their fellow karateka, showing respect to people in the dojo, will lead to the same being shown outside of the karate dojo.

Achievement plays a big part in a good karate dojo, this could be anything from learning a new karate technique or combination, entering a competition or belt test, perfecting a karate kata (form), etc.

Karate classes for kids should be both fun and serious, check out your local kids karate classes and ask if you can observe a typical class. They should encompass all of the above and much more. if they do, encourage your child to have a go.

So, are karate classes for kids, good for them? YES! And I believe it should be compulsory in all schools, but then again, I am a little biased!

Here are some good tips that you can implement into your karate class kumite (sparring).

1. Distance is the first area explored in karate kumite. There are four different distances used, they are long range, medium, close and real close (grappling).

A good measure of distance initially, is to stand opposite your training partner in shizentai (natural stance) and extend one arm until you can touch your partners shoulder. From this position, you can step back with the right leg into hidari (left) gedanbarai (downward block), you now have a good starting distance for the basic karate kumite exercises.

The first kumite exercise in shotokan karate has two variations, they are both very similar and only differ in the amount of attacks and defences used. The two variations are gohon kumite (5 step sparring) and sanbon kumite (3 step sparring).

2. When attacking, defending and counter attacking, ikken hisatsu (to finish with one blow) should be implemented. This is very important, when you attack your opponent, you should be trying to finish the fight with a single blow, when you block and counter, you should be trying to finish the fight with a single blow. At the same time, you do not want to put your training partner in hospital, so control should also be a priority.

3. Breathing should be silent and hidden, a good fighter will capitalize on their opponents poor breathing. If your opponent is breathing heavy, just as they are about to finish breathing out, ATTACK! This is the best time to attack, try it and see.

4. If your opponent gets easily distracted and they look away a regular intervals, try and time an attack just as they get distracted and start to look away.

5. blinking is an opportunity to attack, watch closely, you may think this is impossible, but try it and you will be surprised.

6. When you attack, try not to give any signs away that you are attacking and the basic 3 or 5 step sparring is excellent for practicing non-telegraphed movement.

7. Stay relaxed at all times, a tense body is a body that will break! A relaxed body is a body that will move and adapt to different situations.

Karate for beginners classes always start slowly, so do not be put off by this article, please do not think you are going to be fighting the toughest black belts in the dojo. Everything is done slowly and gradually you will find yourself more and more at ease with the kumite. When trying to learn karate online, the sparring part is the hardest, so please be sure to enroll in a good karate dojo.

This is one of the most neglected parts of karate training and it is a part of karate that you ignore at your peril.

Not only is stretching healthy, it also helps prevent injury during karate classes. Stretching should be practiced before and after your karate lessons.

My sensei said to me, ‘the only time your whole body is stiff, is when you are dead!” and he is absolutely correct.

Keeping the body soft and supple should be a priority for all karateka.

But before you start stretching, it is very important to warm the body up. An example could be, gently shaking the legs and arms, gently swinging the arms, walking slowly, then speeding the walk up and finally into a slow jog. Obviously this is just an example, but this demonstrates a warm up before the stretch.

There are many stretches and to get the maximum benefit, these stretches should be held for anything between, twenty five seconds and three minutes. I also encourage our dojo members to hold the stretches longer in the summer and when they are practicing karate at home, as in the karate dojo, sometimes time is the enemy.

Stretching at the end of training should also be encouraged as this allows the body to warm down slowly, keeping the elasticity in the muscles.

If you wish to explore the different types of stretching, of which there are many, I have listed the different types of stretching below and a google search will uncover some incredible information on stretching.

1. Ballistic stretching is a form of passive stretching or dynamic stretching in a bouncing motion.

2. Dynamic stretching is a form of stretching beneficial in karate, utilizing momentum from form.

3. Active stretching eradicates force and its adverse effects from stretching procedures.

4. Passive (or relaxed) stretching is a form of static stretching in which an external force, like a karate partner, exerts pressure upon the limb to move it into the new position.

5. Static stretching is used to stretch muscles while the body is at rest.

6. PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching is a stretching system that was first used in the 1940s and 1950s to rehabilitate patients with paralysis.

Although stretching may feel uncomfortable for someone just starting to learn karate, persevere and very soon your karate techniques will take on a whole new level and meaning.

I love all martial arts, especially karate. There are many different types of martial arts and I tried several, kung fu, judo, jui jitsu, tai chi and more, but something just clicked when I attended my first karate class. Now that is just me, you may click with judo, kung fu, tai chi, etc.

I remember my first karate class and the first karate move we practiced, it was chokuzuki (straight punch), it felt so good, from that first martial arts class, I was hooked and 30 years later, I’m still hooked!

It never was just the fighting with me. After becoming addicted to the famous tv series, ‘Kung Fu’, with David Carradine, the martial arts moves were amazing, but it was the philosophy and way of life, that really got me hooked on the martial arts.

During that first karate class, we were watching the brown and black belts, everyone seemed to be in their own little world. The brown and black belts were throwing karate moves everywhere, kicks, punches, strikes, spins and jumps. I later discovered, they were practicing karate kata (forms) and they really were in their own little world!

The karate sensei (teacher), explained to us that kata is the soul of karatedo (the way of karate), and karate kata is a sequence of many different karate moves, strung together. Starting form the very basic Kihon Kata (basic form), up to the very advanced Unsu (cloud hands). He said the very advanced karate masters perform their kata, while practicing mushin (no mind), I cannot really remember the rest, but I remember him quoting old karate masters. It seemed so mystical and magical and something I wanted to explore more.

If you are considering starting martial arts, I would urge you to try a few different martial art styles, simply because, we are all different and what is enjoyable for one, is an absolute nightmare for others.

I hope something magical happens, as it did with my first karate class.