The Su Lum Tao (Siu Lim Tao) method of Wing Tsun is very powerful for attacking and countering an opponent. Learn more about Su Lum Tao and Kung Fu from a professional martial artist in this free video. Expert: Todd Shawn... more »
The Su Lum Tao (Siu Lim Tao) method of Wing Tsun is very powerful for attacking and countering an opponent. Learn more about Su Lum Tao and Kung Fu from a professional martial artist in this free video. Expert: Todd Shawn... more »
Bunkai (kata application) is usually performed with a partner or a group of partners which execute predefined attacks, and the student performing the kata responds with defenses, counterattacks, or other actions, based on a part of the kata. This allows the student in the middle to understand what the movements in kata are meant... more »
The bo is a six-foot long staff, sometimes tapered at either end. It was perhaps developed from a farming tool called a tenbin: a stick placed across the shoulders with baskets or sacks hanging from either end. The bo was also possibly used as the handle to a rake or a shovel. The bo,... more »
Chinte (Japanese: “Rare Hand” or “Unusual Hand”) is a very old kata originating from China. Its mixture of standard movements and rarely seen techniques, vestiges of ancient forms, give this kata a special appeal. Particularly dynamic, with its alternating strong and slow passages, Chinte is unique also in the presence of a number of... more »
Example applications of Wing Chun’s Chum Kiu form. Chum Kiu focuses on coordinated movement of bodymass and entry techniques to “bridge the gap” between practitioner and opponent and move in to disrupt their structure and balance. Close-range attacks using the elbows and knees are also developed here. It also teaches methods of recovering position... more »
Empi is a kata practiced by Shotokan and other karate styles. Empi means Flying Swallow. Empi comes from the Okinawan martial art of Tomari-te, where it first appeared in 1683. It is believed to have been influenced by Chinese boxing. It was originally called Wansu. Funakoshi Gichin changed the name to Empi when he... more »
Shotokan’s Gankaku is an advanced kata practiced mainly by black belts. The original name for Gankaku is Chinto. Stories are told of a Chinese sailor named Chinto, who was shipwrecked off the coast of Okinawa. To survive, Chinto stole from the crops of the local Okinawan people. Sokon Matsumura, a Karate master, was sent... more »
Gojūshiho (lit. 54 steps) is a kata practiced in karate. In some styles of karate, there are two versions of this kata — Gojūshiho Shō and Gojūshiho Dai. An advantage of the two versions of the kata is to better master the difficult techniques presented therein, but not without facing some confusion, for many... more »
In some styles of karate, there are two versions of this kata — Gojūshiho Shō and Gojūshiho Dai. An advantage of the two versions of the kata is to better master the difficult techniques presented therein, but not without facing some confusion, for many sequences are the same and others only slightly different. The... more »
Hangetsu (Japanese: “Half Moon”) is an advanced kata practiced in Shotokan karate. It originates from the Naha-te school. The first part is executed slowly with strong breathing, stressing the development of the hara. This sequence shares a strong similarity with sanchin. The second part of the kata is more dynamic in its execution, with... more »
Heian means “peaceful mind”. This kata is the first of five introductory kata, developed by Yasutsune Itosu (one of Gichin Funakoshi’s instructors). Although scholars do not agree on how the Heian kata were created, it is commonly stated that all are derived in some part from the higher level kata, Kanku‐dai (In addition to... more »
Heian Nidan is the second of the five Heian, or “Peaceful Mind” Karate Shotokan katas. This kata introduces the student for the first time to kicking techniques within a Kata such as yoko geri keage (side snapping kick), and mae geri, (front kick). In addition several new hand techniques are also introduced for the... more »
Heian Sandan is the third of the five Heian, or “Peaceful Mind” Karate Shotokan katas. The third kata in the heian series is noted for the introduction of kiba dachi (horse riding stance). Also introduced for the first time is a two handed combination block, in this case a gedan barai (lower level down... more »
Heian Shodan is the first of the five Heian, or “Peaceful Mind” Shotokan Karate katas. Heian Shodan is composed entirely of “basic” techniques. There is nothing “fancy” at all being done. For this reason, it could be said that Heian Shodan is actually the hardest of all kata to do and do correctly. This... more »
Heian Yodan is the fourth of the five Heian, or “Peaceful Mind” of Shotokan Karate katas. The layout of this kata is a plus sign on top of a minus sign. It starts at the center of the plus sign. The kata also ends in the same place. From this starting point the kata... more »
Jion (translated: “Temple” or “Temple of love and goodness”) is a representative kata in the Shotokan system because of the importance of the perfection of the basic stances it contains, notably zenkutsu dachi (front stance) and kiba dachi (horse stance).... more »