| When someone first starts to learn karate, | | | | 2. Slide the right arm down the left arm, keeping the |
| gedanbarai or downward block is one of the first | | | | thumb facing up, at the same time, start to pull the |
| blocks practiced in their karate classes. Before we | | | | left fist back to the hikite position on the left side of |
| start stepping with this block, we will first practice | | | | the body. |
| this block from shizentai or natural stance. In shizentai | | | | 3. The actual blocking part of the arm is the back of |
| the feet are placed shoulder width apart, toes facing | | | | the forearm. Just before the right arm reaches the |
| forward, shoulders relaxed. | | | | finishing position, rotate the forearm strongly |
| Place your left arm in the downward block position, | | | | (counter clockwise), remembering the blocking part |
| the left fist should be placed in front of the left thigh, | | | | of the arm. As the blocking arm completes so should |
| arm straight, shoulders relaxed. The right fist should | | | | the left hikite arm, as with the blocking arm, rotate |
| be in the hikite position on the side of the body, | | | | the hikite arm strongly on completion. |
| placed just below the bottom rib, palm facing up, | | | | The kihon (basic) practice in karate classes gives the |
| elbow pulled in and down. | | | | karateka (someone who practices karate) a solid |
| 1. Lift the right fist across the chest, to the top of | | | | foundation in karate. So if you are considering taking |
| the left arm, the right arm should remain very close | | | | some 'karate for beginners' classes, focus on the |
| to the body throughout the arm lift, at the same | | | | basic karate moves, as these will enable you to |
| time move the straight left arm across to the centre | | | | practice advanced karate! |
| of the body (only 6 to 8 inches). | | | | |