Shomen and hanmi are basic fundamentals within the shotokan karate system, although there are many interpretations of shomen and hanmi.
Shomen (square facing). Oizuki (stepping punch) and gyaku zuki (reverse punch) are both performed with the body and hips in the square position (shomen).
Hanmi (side facing). All the basic blocks plus kizami zuki (jab punch), are performed with the body and hips in the side facing position (hanmi).
Here is a shomen hanmi video which has a good exercise for developing this important area.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Monday, 4 July 2011
Karate Stances Kokutsu dachi Back stance
Kokutsu dachi or back stance, is one of the first karate stances you learn in shotokan karate. this is a difficult stance and many people struggle, on a more positive note, people basically make the same mistakes. Below is a quick video explaining this shotokan stance, for a more detailed explanation, follow this link for kokutsu dachi.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Jyu Ippon Kumite Tai Sabaki and Ikken Hissatsu
Jyu ippon kumite is a very powerful shotokan karate exercise, if done properly! If done incorrectly, it can be down right dangerous. There are many types of jyu ippon kumite, in the video below we show basic jyu ippon kumite from a stationary jyu kamae. Karate classes all over the world have jyu ippon in their karate dojo curriculum.
Monday, 9 May 2011
Learn Karate At Home & Hit Things!!!!!
Many karateka never hit anything, they go through their whole life, punching and kicking thin air! This is not good. If you are trying to learn karate at home, or even looking to learn karate online, a striong piece of advice that i can give you, would be to get yourself a punch bag, start slowly, but then eventually you will be hitting the bag like a pro! Bag work is a great karate exercise, great for fitness, stamina, speed, strength and timing and did i mention that it's great fun!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Shotokan karate Kata Jion (Temple)
Jion is an intermediate shotokan karate kata. Some karate dojo have this kata as one of the required kata when attempting black belt 1st dan (shodan). Jion is a very basic kata, which also has a few tricky combinations. This kata is very direct and dynamic.
Jion (translates as: "Temple" or "Temple of love and goodness")
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Learn karate Gyaku zuki Three Karate Moves in One!
Gyakuzuki or reverse punch is one of the basic karate moves, but contained within gyakuzuki are two other powerful strikes, they are 1. ura zuki (upper cut) and 2 tate zuki (vertical punch). if you are practicing gyaku zuki correctly, these two extra karate techniques will come easily.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Learning Karate – How to Kill Or How to Live?
The founder of shotokan karate, master Gichin Funakoshi, said, ‘The ultimate aim of the art of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants’.
Other Karate sensei preach Ikken Hissatsu (To kill or finish with one blow), which is correct?
I once witnessed a no rules fight between two karateka (someone who practices karate) and there was a referee. One of the karateka wore his karate suit, the other just shorts and you could tell that the fighter wearing shorts had trained in other disciplines.
The guy in the karate uniform had a look that I can only describe as ‘monk like’, he looked very calm and relaxed. The guy in the shorts looked like a wild animal who had not eaten for a week.
This is what I saw.
At the start of the fight the fighter in the shorts (let us refer to him as ‘shorts’), took up a balanced stance, both hands up and open, chin down.
The fighter in the karate uniform (let us refer to him as ‘karate suit’), put all his weight on his back leg, arms out to the side and half closed his eyes, like he was meditating. I knew what was going to happen, but part of me hoped it would not.
Shorts launched himself at karate suit, who remember, had all his weight on his back leg. I remember karate suit trying to do a pathetic kick off his front leg, shorts hit him so hard and fast, they both hit the deck hard, while they were falling, shorts was still throwing these wild punches, all targeted to karate suits head, once they hit the floor, shorts continued a barrage of wild swinging punches, as each punch connected, shorts eyes opened wider, he could smell blood and he was going in for the kill!
There was blood everywhere and karate suit was asleep, if it was not for the referee, karate suit would probably be dead, because shorts had no intention of stopping.
So the ref stepped in and saved karate suit, shorts was still trying to kill karate suit as the ref pulled him off, shorts then proceeded to run around screaming and punching his fists into the air, he reminded me of one of the zombies out of the movie, ’24 days later’ (of course, modern day zombies are not like they were, they now move with the speed of Usain Bolt!)
Five minutes later shorts was still out of control, eyes wide and rolling, body pumped and breathing heavy. At the same time, our friend had started to come around, he was sitting, but unable to stand.
So which fighter would you rather be?
Neither! I hope you shouted. I would like to think I have the animal instinct of shorts and the ‘monk like’ attitude of karate suit, but someone like the great Randy Couture has taken this to a whole new level, that man is in control!
After all, what is the point of having a Ferrari California, if you cannot keep it on the road?
Other Karate sensei preach Ikken Hissatsu (To kill or finish with one blow), which is correct?
I once witnessed a no rules fight between two karateka (someone who practices karate) and there was a referee. One of the karateka wore his karate suit, the other just shorts and you could tell that the fighter wearing shorts had trained in other disciplines.
The guy in the karate uniform had a look that I can only describe as ‘monk like’, he looked very calm and relaxed. The guy in the shorts looked like a wild animal who had not eaten for a week.
This is what I saw.
At the start of the fight the fighter in the shorts (let us refer to him as ‘shorts’), took up a balanced stance, both hands up and open, chin down.
The fighter in the karate uniform (let us refer to him as ‘karate suit’), put all his weight on his back leg, arms out to the side and half closed his eyes, like he was meditating. I knew what was going to happen, but part of me hoped it would not.
Shorts launched himself at karate suit, who remember, had all his weight on his back leg. I remember karate suit trying to do a pathetic kick off his front leg, shorts hit him so hard and fast, they both hit the deck hard, while they were falling, shorts was still throwing these wild punches, all targeted to karate suits head, once they hit the floor, shorts continued a barrage of wild swinging punches, as each punch connected, shorts eyes opened wider, he could smell blood and he was going in for the kill!
There was blood everywhere and karate suit was asleep, if it was not for the referee, karate suit would probably be dead, because shorts had no intention of stopping.
So the ref stepped in and saved karate suit, shorts was still trying to kill karate suit as the ref pulled him off, shorts then proceeded to run around screaming and punching his fists into the air, he reminded me of one of the zombies out of the movie, ’24 days later’ (of course, modern day zombies are not like they were, they now move with the speed of Usain Bolt!)
Five minutes later shorts was still out of control, eyes wide and rolling, body pumped and breathing heavy. At the same time, our friend had started to come around, he was sitting, but unable to stand.
So which fighter would you rather be?
Neither! I hope you shouted. I would like to think I have the animal instinct of shorts and the ‘monk like’ attitude of karate suit, but someone like the great Randy Couture has taken this to a whole new level, that man is in control!
After all, what is the point of having a Ferrari California, if you cannot keep it on the road?
If you are looking to learn karate online, then supplement your karate training with these free online videos, karate lessons for beginners. http://karateclassesonline.com
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Learn Karate Online A basic Elbow Combination Empi Uchi
If you are trying to learn karate online, it is absolutely essential that you master the basic karate moves. Some of these basic karate moves are striking with the elbows. There is a video below, which is a sample video from the online karate dojo at karate classes online.com
Basic Empi Uchi Kihon Combination
1. Starting with the left leg in front, extend the front (left) arm forward and start to step with the right leg. Keep the right fist in the hikite position at the side of the body, until you are just about to land, then just as you land, throw the first elbow strike, mawashi empi. Be sure to keep the right fist close to the body throughout the strike. Finish with the back of the right fist facing up, in the centre of the chest and the body in the hanmi (side facing) position.
2. Strike with a left Age empi, once again keep the fist close to the body throughout this karate move. Drive from the back (left) leg and rotate the hips and body into the shomen (square facing) position, the age empi and body rotation should finish at the same time. At the completion of the strike, the palm of the left fist should be facing the ear.
3. Next comes the yoko empi. Bring the right arm under the left age empi arm, with the palm of the right open hand facing up, drive from the back (left) leg and make a small distance forward with the right leg. You are now going to move from zenkutsu dachi (front stance) into Kiba dachi (horse riding stance), at exactly the same time you land with the right leg, strike yoko empi with the right elbow. On completion of this karate technique, the back of the right fist should be facing up.
4. The last strike is ushiro empi. From kiba dachi, pull the left leg accross and up slightly (as in the video), rotate the body strongly then as the body finishes the rotation and the left foot stops, strike ushiro empi. If the elbow is high, the back of the fist should be pointing up and if the elbow is low, the palm of the fist should be facing up, as in the hikite position.
Obviously this is a very basic elbow combination, but it will get you used to striking close to your own body, which is uncomfortable for a lot of karateka. Don’t forget to check out our Special $1 Trial offer.
Basic Empi Uchi Kihon Combination
1. Starting with the left leg in front, extend the front (left) arm forward and start to step with the right leg. Keep the right fist in the hikite position at the side of the body, until you are just about to land, then just as you land, throw the first elbow strike, mawashi empi. Be sure to keep the right fist close to the body throughout the strike. Finish with the back of the right fist facing up, in the centre of the chest and the body in the hanmi (side facing) position.
2. Strike with a left Age empi, once again keep the fist close to the body throughout this karate move. Drive from the back (left) leg and rotate the hips and body into the shomen (square facing) position, the age empi and body rotation should finish at the same time. At the completion of the strike, the palm of the left fist should be facing the ear.
3. Next comes the yoko empi. Bring the right arm under the left age empi arm, with the palm of the right open hand facing up, drive from the back (left) leg and make a small distance forward with the right leg. You are now going to move from zenkutsu dachi (front stance) into Kiba dachi (horse riding stance), at exactly the same time you land with the right leg, strike yoko empi with the right elbow. On completion of this karate technique, the back of the right fist should be facing up.
4. The last strike is ushiro empi. From kiba dachi, pull the left leg accross and up slightly (as in the video), rotate the body strongly then as the body finishes the rotation and the left foot stops, strike ushiro empi. If the elbow is high, the back of the fist should be pointing up and if the elbow is low, the palm of the fist should be facing up, as in the hikite position.
Obviously this is a very basic elbow combination, but it will get you used to striking close to your own body, which is uncomfortable for a lot of karateka. Don’t forget to check out our Special $1 Trial offer.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
How to Learn Karate - A Basic Distancing Karate Exercise
When a karateka firsts starts to learn karate, distancing can be a real problem. Now this video clip below taken from karate classes online dojo, is not a beginners karate exercise, but is still relatively basic.
A basic distance karate exercise, with the attacker using, kizami zuki (jabbing punch), gyaku zuki (reverse punch) and oi zuki (stepping punch). Defender counters with kizami mawashi geri (front leg round house kick), kizami yoko geri kekomi (front leg side thrust kick) and ushiro geri (back kick).
A basic distance karate exercise, with the attacker using, kizami zuki (jabbing punch), gyaku zuki (reverse punch) and oi zuki (stepping punch). Defender counters with kizami mawashi geri (front leg round house kick), kizami yoko geri kekomi (front leg side thrust kick) and ushiro geri (back kick).
Friday, 25 February 2011
A Karate Seminar With Sensei Randolph Williams 6th Dan
Zanshin black belt academy recently hoste a karate seminar with Sensei Randolph Williams 6th dan KUGB.
Everyone who attended really enjoyed the karate classes. The first karate class focused on suri ashi (sliding step), with punching and sweeping techniques. The video explains all below, but Sensei was explaining to the under 21 blck belts, that a slight change of direction can set your opponent up for a very powerful sweep. The video below shows two combinations using suri ashi and Sensei Williams explains this sudden change of direction and takedown. Part 2 coming soon. Zanshin MKD would like to thank Sensei Williams for a fantastic karate seminar and look forward to his next vist.
Everyone who attended really enjoyed the karate classes. The first karate class focused on suri ashi (sliding step), with punching and sweeping techniques. The video explains all below, but Sensei was explaining to the under 21 blck belts, that a slight change of direction can set your opponent up for a very powerful sweep. The video below shows two combinations using suri ashi and Sensei Williams explains this sudden change of direction and takedown. Part 2 coming soon. Zanshin MKD would like to thank Sensei Williams for a fantastic karate seminar and look forward to his next vist.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Karate Techniques Jabbing Punch or Kizami Tsuki
Boxers place tremendous emphasise on the jab, Kizami zuki or jabbing punch, is an extremely important karate technique, one which some karateka really perfect and seem to have unbelievable speed. Kizami zuki is the closest weapon to an opponent and the fastest to deliver. Karate dojo should really focus on this punch, as it is not only simple, but can be extremely effective.
Monday, 7 February 2011
Learning Karate At Home - Kizami Mawashi Geri
A front leg round house training exercise, covering close, medium and long range. This karate exercise can be practiced with a partner, by yourself or on a punchbag. Kicking with the front leg builds a strong supporting leg, which is very important, in all kicks. For some free karate moves on video visit http://karateclassesonline.com
Thursday, 6 January 2011
JKA Kumite With Master Keinosuke Enoeda and Master Hirokazu Kanazawa
JKA shotokan karate masters, Keinosuke Enoeda and Hirokazu Kanazawa in kumite action, amazing martial arts skill from these karate masters. These two karate sensei have inspired thousands if not millions of people to follow the karate way. shotokan karate. today, is where it is, because of many great masters, but the contribution these two karate masters have made in the shotokan world, should not be underestimated. Their karate will live on, long after they have left this world. Ossu!!!!
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