Azure

Wow! Thanks guys! That really helped a lot! Tobias_Reece, your concept of the kata is somewhat what I had. I take my kata's in terms of strikes and blows, and not as locks and twists of the oppenents arms.. so I've got plenty of revision to do! That is one technical explanation Kakushiite! But worked real well, yet I still have to get used to what you have elaborated, because I never took it in that sense.

I have some confusions with the Pinan Sandan, Wansu and Passai Kata's. Starting with Pinan Sandan, I cant seem to remember what the initial blocks are for.. the inside Uchi Uke to the left comes first followed by two quick variations of the Uchi Uke, which dont seem like blocks to me, someone practising that kata please elaborate the movements. In Wansu, the combination at the end of the kata after the middle punch and front kick is confusing me. After the punch and the kick, (both done at the same time) an upper and lower knife hand block is executed followed by what is called the 'Fireman's throw'. I would like to know how that throw is possible. And finally, in Passai, the end part of the kata just before you stand ready with fists chambered ready to execute the three double punches, there is a quick series of movements starting from the elbow hit. I dont seem to get the movements correctly. I hope someone would enlighten me with the real concept of the movements, since there is no Shorin Ryu Dojo in the country I am currently living in. Thanks!

Im into Shorin Ryu Karate too.

I quit immediately after I got my black belt from a school, because I had to switch 'countries' for my higher studies in engineering. That was about 5 years ago from now, but since then I have tried to keep up the same pace at home, and am aiming at joining another Shorin Ryu dojo. It would be ok if they make me start from a lower rank, since every school has their own policies and rules. My sensei personally told me to keep up my rank my practising at home and making a proper schedule so that I dont drop on those years of training as a martial artist in his school. I agree that the black belt is just the beginning of a long journey into the martial arts, as I realize it now when I have started to grasp the true meaning of kata and all, but it does not mean that you have to continue in a dojo and reach a higher rank. It depends if you want the belt or personal satisfaction in your martial arts training. Ofcourse the belt is necessary as a proof of higher qualification, but I personally have the concept that one should aim at the 'belt inside the mind', rather than the belt around the waist. Whaddaya say!?

I was hit by skipping yoko-geri's repeatedly during a black belt grading test. The dude was my senior and almost everyone feared him. I had a terrible pain in the stomach for at least the next two days. But during that time, I kept doing my situps .. infact I tried to double what I already did to kill the pain! I've even suffered a lung infection. I was totally drained of all my energy and it hurt like hell when I tried to twist my body. Even then, I would practise my maya-geri when my parents were not around, and try to do it as good as I did it when I was in good health. I think Martial Arts heals. Once you're into it, your'e a machine .. you live like the machine and die like the machine .. if you are serious about it that is.

Hi guys, Its about 5 years now since I got my black belt from my karate school, and have been practising at home since then. I concentrate a lot on my Kata, and aim at developing a good mind for Bunkai. At this stage I am able to execute my moves without thinking, while visualising an opponent, his punches and kicks. Is that visualisation enough for proper self-training, or does sparring play a more important role? Before starting my kata, I imagine the attackers at the exact positions where my kata movements will lead me, and during its execution I keep in mind that there is always an attacker behind me. Just want to know if this is the correct method... and what do you guys usually visualise in your Kata. Thanks.

I am a Shodan in Shorin Ryu Seibukan Karate. Got my black belt about 5 years ago, and am still practising. I found the forum very interesting and informative, loads of stuff that I found new. I hope there are people practising Shorin Ryu Karate, though I have seen many practising Shotokan and Shito Ryu. See ya guys!