http://www.hathagojuryukaratedo.freeservers.com/photo3.html
As with other outside links, I encourage parents to read the outside website before sharing with their kids. As you know, I teach students of a very wide range of age, ability level, etc.
Sensei Opalenik's Digital Dojo |
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Below is an article on a Goju Ryu website which has brief overviews of the kata taught in both Goju and Shorin Ryu systems. It contains information ranging from the translation of the actual name of the kata, to the history of who created it and when.
http://www.hathagojuryukaratedo.freeservers.com/photo3.html As with other outside links, I encourage parents to read the outside website before sharing with their kids. As you know, I teach students of a very wide range of age, ability level, etc.
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Below is a link to a friend's karate blog. He did a very in depth and interesting article about my favorite kata. Passai.
http://www.ikigaiway.com/2014/making-sense-of-passai-an-exploration-of-origin-and-style/ http://breakingmuscle.com/family-kids/7-reasons-why-your-child-should-practice-martial-arts
Above is a link. "7 Reasons for Your Child To Start Martial Arts." I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but I thought you would be interested. Parenting.com did an article on the benefits of martial arts for kids and families. I thought that readers may find it helpful/interesting.
http://www.parenting.com/article/karate-kids-the-benefits-of-martial-arts In previous posts I've listed a few karate-related books that I've read and have found to be valuable components of my own training.
I'm inviting all readers to either post in the comments section or email me with a review of a martial-arts related book that you have found enjoyable and/or useful in your training. If you wish, I'll repost your comments/emails as guest-posts on the blog. Below is an article that Sensei Pytel sent me which goes over the history of bunkai. Subjects covered are....
Why some techniques are hidden. How they are hidden. The ways in which karate used to be taught. Some examples of bunkai applications. http://seinenkai.com/art-bunkai.html As with all outside sources, I recommend that parents read the articles before deciding whether or not to share them with their kids. I teach students of all ages and maturity levels so this is my way of striking a balance in which this site can be useful to all students. Enjoy, and post in the comments what you thought of the article! The following is a guest post written by Sensei Pytel.
It is written that when ‘Chuan Fa’ (fist way) was taught in China it was always so that different levels of understanding were transmitted to different students. That is to say a novice student would be shown a basic application for a particular technique while an intermediate student would be shown a somewhat more advanced application for the exact same technique. The most highly advanced applications were shown only to the most long- term and trusted students. There are many explanations given for this approach to teaching, some obvious given the serious nature of what was being taught. Other explanations are not so obvious, and are found to be based on the indigenous nature of the Asian culture and people themselves. Whatever the reason, this methodology followed when migrating to Okinawa where the art was originally known as “Kempo”. As a result, today you will most always find a number of explanations for a single technique. For example; the karate fist formation of Shobayashi-ryu known as “chu ko-te” is formed with the small, ring, and middle fingers curled completely and tightly while the index finger is bent only at the middle knuckle allowing the first two segments of the finger to remain extended down towards the base of the thumb. The thumb itself is wrapped around the extended portion of the index finger like a roll of pennies. The explanation that may be first given for the purpose of this type of fist formation may be ....”It allows for a better alignment of the first two knuckles with the wrist and forearm so there is less likelihood of the wrist bending upon impact. It also affords better alignment of the first segment below the knuckles of each of the first two fingers forming a better striking surface.” A more advanced explanation, as explained by William Hayes Sensei, may refer to the fact that this type of fist is used to relieve pressure from P-8 (8th point on the pericardium meridian in the palm of the hand.) Something someone would learn during kyusho training. Continuous pressure on any kyusho point will ultimately lead to a weakening of ones own chi energy creating greater vulnerability to an opponent’s attack. Beyond this still, one may at some point be shown the true nature and use of this fist formation that may reveal what I have been told O’Sensei would always say “The fist is not just for punching.” As one continues to train, one finds the art of karate to be many layers deep. Perhaps this is the very thing that makes it so fascinating. Chi ishi are training tools that we use in hojo undo (supplemental exercise) in karate. They are quite expensive to order from Okinawa and are relatively easy to make. Above is a diagram of some basic chi ishi exercises. Below are steps on how to make your own. (Note* Don't try to build these on your own unless you are a trained adult or are under the supervision of a trained adult)
Parts for chi ishi 1 wooden dowel with a 1inch diameter (cut to 18 inches) 4 screws at least 1 inch long each 1 bag of quick dry mortar or cement (one bag will give you much more than you need. I'd ask around and see if someone you know has extra) 1 plastic container per chi ishi (cool whip containers are a pretty good size. My personal set use plastic containers that take-out Chinese soup was in) tools (saw, screwdriver, water) Steps... 1) Cut the dowel into 18 inch sections. Try to make each end of it as flat as possible. 2) Drive the 4 screws into it, each about 90 degrees from the last one. (I usually have two on opposite sides about 1/2 inch up from the bottom, and the other two about 1 inch up from the bottom so the screws don't intersect accidentally) 3)Follow the directions to make to quick dry cement. 4)Pour it into the plastic container with the dowel and screws standing up straight. Hold it up straight if needed, otherwise your chi ishi will have a lopsided handle which wouldn't effect how it works, but isn't ideal. 5)Hold it all still until it dries enough that the handle wont move. 6)Wait. This step should be relatively easy. If the cement begins to crumble, just wrap the entire cement portion with anything from plastic wrap, to duct tape to keep the cement crumbs from falling onto you while training. Above is a diagram of how to use them. The words are not in English but it's pretty self explanatory. One thing to remember is to bend your knees and exhale as you complete each movement. *Note* I think that the words in the picture above are in Spanish. If anyone is fluent and would like to help out, feel free to translate the information and post it in the comments section. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Everything from here down is has been newly added to this article* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://okinawadojo.blogspot.com/2007/03/el-chi-ishi.html This is the website where the original image was posted. That's not where I found it, but I was able to track it down in addition to the following pictures and descriptions. I humbly request that the anonymous poster who translated the first portion share their knowledge with us and do a bit more translating. The pictures came from Argentina originally. I'm not sure if knowing the particular dialect would help. |