Bassai Dai Shotokan Karate Kata

Bassai Dai translates as "To storm a fortress" and is practiced in many styles of karate. There are many variations of the original Passai, which was the original name for Bassai. It is believed that there were two versions of Passai practiced on Okinawa. Karate master, Sokon Matsumrua brought one Passai kata to Okinawa, from China and the other was taught to Okan Oyadomari on Okinawa, by a Chinese martial artist, who resided there. The one we are referring to here, is the shotokan Bassai Dai, which many believe came from the Okan Oyadomari lineage. In many shotokan karate dojo, Bassai dai is the first intermediate brown belt kata that a new brown belt karateka practices. Many shotokan karateka use Bassai dai to test for all their brown belt examinations and indeed, the coveted black belt test.Follow this link for a free Bassai Dai PDF tutorial ebook.

Learn Karate At Home - Choku Zuki

When attending a karate for beginners class, one of the first karate moves taught is Chokuzuki or straight punch. The punch is practiced from heiko-dachi (natural stance), feet roughly shoulder width apart, toes facing forward, shoulders relaxed, crown of the head pushing up, stomach pushing down and chin pulled in. The weight should be evenly distributed over both legs. Try not to put the weight on the heels, instead the weight should be on the balls of the feet and big toes.

karate moves online - Gedan barai

When someone first starts to learn karate, gedanbarai or downward block is one of the first blocks practiced in their karate classes. Before we start stepping with this block, we will first practice this block from shizentai or natural stance. In shizentai the feet are placed shoulder width apart, toes facing forward, shoulders relaxed.

Tekki Shodan Bunkai

Shotokan karate's Tekki Shodan. Some self defense kata applications. Tekki shodan is the kata required for 3rd Kyu (Brown Belt) level.

Learn Karate - Master Mikio Yahara

Video tribute to the legendary Master Mikio Yahara, I remember first training with Yahara sensei, he terrified me! His karate was electrifying, dynamic, innovative and ever evolving, but at the same time, he has kept the old tradition of Ikken Hisatsu (to finish with on blow)