For Those About to Test...

Testing for rank promotion is stressful, especially if you are going before the National Test Board at the Honbu Dojo.  They even have a bucket standing by for those who are unable to, well, keep it inside.  Visualization and positive energy are the keys to keeping your stress emotions in check.


Jesse Enkamp explains how to do this here.

San Chin kata from Jesse Enkamp, vol. 3

San Chin kata from Jesse Enkamp, vol 2

San Chin kata from Jesse Enkamp, vol. 1

Ukemi (Breakfalls)

This is something which we do not do very often, so many of us may not be as proficient as we might like to be.  What's so hard about falling down?  You just let gravity take over!  Well, yes, if you don't mind being injured by the ground AND your opponent.  The video is a few minutes long, but it is worth watching as an introduction for beginners, or as a refresher for more advanced students.


From the Karate Nerd:





Thanks, Tim.

And now for something (not) completely different...

This is one of the 13 or so versions of Potsai, called "Passai" here.  The video is from Akamine Karate Dojo, which teaches Shorin Ryu.  This is a little more complex than the Chito Ryu verion.  The man's kime is astounding, which is why it is included here. 

Niseishi Dai

Here are two examples of the kata Niseishi Dai.  The first is Yasuhiro Chitose on 8mm.  There are a couple of breaks where the film has been spliced together.  The second is Jean Noel Blanchette.  It is important to note that the rhythm, timing, and speed of these katas is a little different from the way that we do them now.


NB:  Jean Noel Blanchette made the drawings for the Niseishi Kaisetz and Hen Shu Ho posters that hang in our dojo, and many of the illustrations in the USCK manuals.