For our online dojo members, there is a full instructional video at the bottom of this article and a sample clip for non dojo members.. When someone first starts karate, shomen and hanmi are explained early on. My karate instructor always explained hanmi and shomen as, Hanmi = side facing and Shomen = Square facing more »… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Karate Blog
Karate And Will Power!
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. Confucius… Continue Reading
Kiba Dachi – Horse Riding Stance or Straddle Stance
Here we will look at the shotokan stance, Kiba dachi (straddle stance). Kiba dach is the same length as zenkutsu dachi, the hips should be the same height as zenkutsu dachi. Kiba dachi has the feet in line, toes facing forward. The knees should be bend naturally over the toes. Try and roll the hips more »… Continue Reading
Neko Ashi Dachi (Cat Stance) Shotokan Stances
Neko ashi dachi or cat stance, in shotokan karate, is normally first practiced in the shotokan karate kata, hangetsu (half moon). In the shotokan karate system, neko ashi dachi has 90 percent of the weight on the back leg, with the front leg barely touching the floor. Standing with the feet side by side and more »… Continue Reading
Shotokan Stances Kokutsu Dachi Back Stance
Kokutsu dachi (back stance) Many karateka find this stance the most difficult and out of all the shotokan karate stances, I also feel, this is the hardest to master. Kokutsu dachi should be roughly two shoulder lengths, front foot facing directly forward and back foot facing 90 degrees to the side. The front leg bent more »… Continue Reading
shotokan karate kata Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, Hangetsu & Empi Kata
Below are some short karate kata videos of the brown belt shotokan karate kata. These shotokan karate kata, do vary from dojo to dojo, but many shotokan dojo have these five kata within their sylabus. From the swift and flowing empi kata, to the slow and strong hangetsu kata. The shotokan kata video below show more »… Continue Reading
Shotokan karate The Basic Shotokan Stances
Here is an article on the basic shotokan stances, including a few more advanced karate stances. Karate stances form the foundation of your karate, if karateka focus on this area, strong karate is sure to develop. stances do vary from karate dojo to dojo, so please check with your sensei, before you start to practice. more »… Continue Reading
Jyu Ippon Kumite Basic Block and Counter Video
In shotokan karate dojo, Jyu ippon kumite is first practiced at 3rd kyu (brown belt) and there are a few different variations of jyu ippon kumite. As with kihon ippon kumite, the attacks at first are announced. Jodan (upper level), Chudan (middle level),maegeri (front kick), yoko geri kekomi (side thrust kick), mawashi geri (round kick) more »… Continue Reading
Yamanni Ryu Kobudo – Choun No Kon
Michael Stevenson of Zanshin MKD performing Choun no kon, a Yamani Ryu Bo kata. Yamani ryu is very flowing, unlike many bo styles, which are very strong and rigid. Yamanni ryu Bo has fast, rapid strikes, some high strikes for attacking people on horseback, many circular and linear strikes. Yamanni ryu is unlike any other more »… Continue Reading
Learning Karate a Positive Attitude – Quote
Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right. Henry Ford Not just in the karate dojo, but life in general. Be positive because you CAN do whatever you put your mind to!… Continue Reading