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Come join us for 2 free trial classes!
Our very first kata (waza) to learn most of the basic techniques such as punches and blocks before moving onto more complicated katas. This waza were performed by Sensei Kristine and Jay when they were young.
Students can follow this rear view to practise the waza (techniques) 27 Movements.
Zenshin Kotai is the first kata for beginners to move forward and backward while executing punches and blocks . Techniques introduced in this kata include oi zuki, uchi uke and yoko geri. Students should learn to counter immediately after blocking. This video is performed by Sensei Stewart Rogers
Zenshin Koutai is a Chito Ryu kata as part of the requirements to pass the yellow belt.
This is the first of the Heian series practiced by our students to prepare for a orange belt grading. Basic techniques emphasized in this kata are gedan barai, chudan zuki and jodan uke. Directional changes must be made using sharp hip movement to develop power for the blocking technique.
Performed by Sensei Willie and filmed from the rear to give students a better angle to follow and practise.
Kata Nidan along with Zenshin Koutai is a Chitroyu karate style kata for beginners. After the kata 27 Movements, students start to move around to counter attacks from different directions. The kata is performed by Sensei Thomas Nappa
Kata Nidan is part of the requirements for students to gain their orange belt. The kata begins to diversify student's range of techniques. Uchi uke is used with gyaku zuki and yama zuki is introduced. Power block is also taught to jam against a frontal attack.
This kata is performed by Sensei Dino Depalma.
Green belt requirement. This kata helps students to develop proper kiba dachi. As you make each of the four turns, you have to coordinate your arm and leg movements, step with conviction
Green Belt requirement. The beginning is with techniques performed with dynamic tensions and in sanchin dachi. When performing the kata, one should draw all your "ki" to the center. The sharp change halfway through the kata from slow to fast reinforce the idea that one needs to be able to draw upon many resources when called to do so. Much like the idea of Yin and Yang, the two opposite halves join to form a whole.
In Heian Sandan, students are introduced to a method of simultaneously blocking middle and low level attacks. Its emphasis is to understand the stamping kick, elbow block and backfist.
The Rohai kata was developed in the Tomari school. It teaches students to defend from both the front and the rear. Footwork is the aspect which requires attention here.
The Heian series is from the Shorin school. Heian Yondan includes various techniques for finishing off an opponent
This kata helps students to learn to breach any defence. Most of the defensive moves are immediately followed by offensive techniques. While protecting ourselves, we swiftly forging through the opponent's own defense. It teahces the correct use of fast and slow techniques.
It is important in this kata to coordinate hip movement with various techniques. Sequences call for sharp and subtle directional change. Students should pay attention to the stances. There are occasions of double blocks and low X-block. In each of these, the stances must be firm.
As the suffix "dai" implies, this kata is longer than the Rohaisho. Other than there are differences at the end of the kata, it makes additional demands on the students sense of timing and ability to adjust the level of force applied to the various techniques. Both katas use techniques for normal distance fighting and close in-fighting. It helps to develop multi-dimensional fighting techniques.
Seisan is probably the longest kata in our system. There are three successive sequences which call for uchi uke in kokutsu dachi, then jodan gyaku zuki in zenkutsu dachi, then tate zuki in kokutsu dachi and finally mae geri. These moves requires focus to execute. It is important that the movement of the arms and legs be coordinate with the breathing.
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