| A day to learn, a life time to master! | | | | working on technique and meaning (application). When |
| I believe karate kata is the soul of karate, but | | | | you practice the moves fast, imagine each karate |
| learning karate kata, can be difficult, frustrating, | | | | technique is your last and your life depends on it! |
| disappointing and many people miss the true meaning | | | | 4. Each karate kata has a unique rhythm. Timing |
| of the kata. | | | | varies from kata to kata, but once you understand |
| At first and only at first, think of a karate kata as a | | | | the meaning, the timing will become clear. |
| wood carver would think of a new carving. Let us | | | | 5. Now you understand the technique, meaning and |
| say the wood carver is going to carve a beautiful | | | | timing, it is time to practice the whole kata. At first, |
| tiger, they would have the piece of wood ready, | | | | try and apply the timing whilst going through the kata |
| obviously looking nothing like a tiger. | | | | slowly, then as you get more confident, speed up. |
| They would then start carving, after a while, you | | | | 6. Now it is time for repetition and attention to the |
| would see the basic shape of the tiger, but it would | | | | small details. By now you should have a good |
| still look pretty rough. Gradually the carver would chip | | | | understanding of your new karate kata. |
| away at the wood, until a perfect tiger is revealed. | | | | 7. Application and partner work. This is where you |
| Technically, you and your karate kata, are the same | | | | can practice the karate techniques of the kata |
| as the wood carver and their wood. | | | | against an opponents attacks. The first way, is to |
| 1. The first objective with a new kata, is to simply | | | | defend against an attack, using the techniques, just |
| piece together the moves, so you can get through | | | | as they are in the kata. The second way is to take |
| the whole kata slowly, it may look rough, but you | | | | the karate moves out of the kata and use them in |
| know what move goes where and in what direction. | | | | self defense situations, where the techniques may |
| 2. Now is the time to start working on each individual | | | | vary from the original form. |
| karate technique. Try and get a technical | | | | So there is seven tips on shotokan karate kata |
| understanding of each karate move and know the | | | | practice. I hope they help and remember the saying, |
| application for each technique. | | | | 'karate kata! A day to learn, a life time to master'. |
| 3. Now repeat each kata move, slowly and fast, | | | | |