Kata: Seiyunchin

This is a classic black-belt kata, used to defend against grabs.

1. Set of three shigo dache stances with various hand movements. Motion is north-east, north-west, north-east.
2. Big block with both hands facing the front, than shiko dache north-east and back.
3. Same as 2, but with the shiko north-west.
4. Two archers stances while stepping backwards. On first archers stance body is open to the west, on the second the east.
5. Foot sweep, two oraken punches going forward.
6. Rotate from N to SW and double block (left up, right down).
   
7. Step into shiko dache, protecting the head with back (left) hand, oraken, lower level defense/hit.
8. Back foot steps back (S), arms come up through the bear hug and leverage off the body.
9. Front foot back (S), bear hug defense with arms.
   
10. Rotate SE with another up-down mid-level double block.
11. Same shiko and bearhug defense as 7-9.
12. Mt. fuji bear hug defense.
13. Step forward into a bow.

Kata: Kobo Yondan

This kata uses a unique stance I will call "twisted foot stance." It is rather like a ballerina stance. The feet are pointed in opposite directions, but with the heel of each foot basically lined up with the toes of the other foot. It requires good flexibility.

Also of note with this kata is the start has a double block instead of a lapel grab, and then a double punch.

Motion, with front of the room being "north":
north, west, east, north, north-east and back, north-west and back. bow.

The twisted foot stance occurs in the "west" and "east." Also, each has a kick under a lower level defense, which is an unusual move.

Class on January 12

Beginners:

1. Stretching
2. Basic punches - one arm first, then both.
   
3. Basic Blocks - all three levels.
4. Exercises - Bear crawl, crab crawl

Yellow Belt:

1. Sanchin stepping - remember to bend knees on turns.
2. kobo shodan
3. Tan gan ho

Green Belt:

1. Punching out of Zenkutzu dachi.
2. Zenkutzu stepping with midlevel punch and jab.
3. Combinations: Zenkutzu with yakazuki and kesamazuki.
4. Situps, pushups, stretching.

Last Practice of the Year

Dojo Note:

• The class is not meeting for the rest of December. Class will resume the first Saturday of January

Beginners Section:

1. Basic Warmup.
2. Sanchin dache (Three Level Stance): The first level is the feet gripping the floor. The second is the tightening of the legs and glutes. The third level is the tightening of lats and straightening of posture.
3. Sanchin dache stepping and turning: Practiced with both arms forward, using the tightening of the lats to pull them in. When turning, the foot sliding parallel to the body should have it's entire outer edge on the floor to insure stability. Flex the knees to keep the body low and stable.
4. Kobo shodan: Basic kata to get the yellow belt, uses Sanchin dache.
   

Green Belts:

1. Worked on basic katas: Kobo nidan, Kobo sandan, Saifa, Ichsae Shodan

Advanced Belts:

1. Kobo shodan: The first kata, practiced multiple times, both individual and group.
2. Kata for Christmas - Seiyunchin: Practiced it both with and without shiko dache.
3. Kata for Christmas - Kobo Yondan: I think of it as the "twisted Neko" kata. Also, instead of opening with a lapel grab, it has a two-handed kick block.

Merry Christmas!

Website of the week:
Video of Seiyunchin, though Rissyoukai has subtle differences.
http://www.spokanekarate.com/kata/index.php

Day in the Dojo

Beginners section:

1. Standard stretching plus some extra work on hamstrings and back.
2. Sanchin Dachi (Three Level Stance): Stepping, then with turning, then midlevel defense, and upper-level defense.
3. Notes: Turning with upper level defense using sanchin dachi is like the upper level defense in kobo nidan.

Yellow Belt section:

1. Shiko dachi stretching. With partners holding belt and hands, and individually by putting chin on sholder.
   
2. Kobo Nidan (Second kata). Most important part is the shiko dachi. Next most important is the turning upper-level defense.
3. Notes: When in shiko dachi, slap your knees to remind yourself to get them out. I need to get my knees 4-5 inches back, straighten my back, and get lower.
   

Green Belt Section:

1. Clarification on pronunciation: "Kah-my-tay" instead of "kuh-my-tay" for "ready."
2. Kick stretching - kicking your own hand out of zenkutzu, lifting your legs to the side and back.
   
3. Ushiro geri (Back kick): Start in zenkutzu dachi, right foot forward. Spin half way around, into a nekodachi with all the weight on the left foot, but with the right foot next to the left, instead of in front. Then, kick backwards with right foot while spinning, and end up back in zenkutzu dachi.
4. Nidan Geri (Double kick): mae giri with one foot, jump and upper level kick with the other foot.
   
5. Breathing: rhythm

Helpful Website:
Here is a website with a comprehensive list of Japanese terminology used in karate translated into English.
Monte Sano Shotokan