ShotoMan

Let's say you are in kiba dachi and perform migi yoko geri keagi. With the supporting leg, do you turn the foot away from the kick so that you can apply the hip or do you just snap the kick to the side, almost like a side-on mae geri using the edge of the foot or heel? On my course with Abe Sensei, he advised that we in the club (and the whole world for that matter) do this kick incorrectly. He demonstrated the keagi and it was in fact a kekomi but without the thrust! His supporting foot turned away from the kick and back again as the kicking foot was drawn back. Now I have practiced this (since yesterday, Saturday!) and I have to admit, it does feel correct and the kick has definitely more power behind it, than a slapping effect which is the feedback I felt when not applying the hip turning / foot-away method. Have I just been leading a sheltered life? Do you all practice keagi the "Abe" way?

Day two was as excellent as Day one with Abe Sensei. I have very much warmed to this man in such a very short time Today concentrated more on strong stances in kiba dachi and zenkutsu dachi. Not so much on length and depth but pure strength. This included exercises with a partner where you had to carry a person of similar weight to yourself, on your back, and in kiba dachi. Then with a partner on your shoulders, you had to perform nami ashi (asd taken from Tekki Shodan)! Yes, quite tiring but still fun! He worked on body shifting in both kiba dachi and zenkutsu dachi. Today was also dedicated a lot to the Heian katas. All in all, an excellent two days. I was left thinking that he wanted to impart so much more knowledge to us but time had run out! If he comes to a dojo near you, do make sure you put aside some time to meet him.

I have today attended day one of a two day course with Abe Sensei in Bath. Absolutely excellent!! Primary atention was paid to Tekki Shodan, Nidan and Sandan and applications thereof. He enjoys employing plenty of throwing, take-downs and arm locking techniques. I also found out that I have been performing yoko geri keagi wrong for the last 20+ years! Keigo Abe has an incredible presence and is a very friendly and enjoyable person to learn from. He even allowed me a photo op, so that was extremely welcome I just can't wait for tomorrow and day two! Excellent!

It is important that each of the moves of the kata have a decisive purpose. There should be no preperation, guard-like or feinting moves but all should have applications both when standing and within a grappling sense. If a given move (or combination) is not fool-proof by design, then the kata should also demonstrate a "back-up" for this. I guess it is more a case of are you looking to create a series of oyo or actually develop a kata which is self-contained as a system of self-defence/combat by itself. As is the true reason for kata in the first place. Best of luck and have fun.

Yeah Hangetsu is up there in the least favourite department. I'm also not a big fan of Heian Sandan, despite the fact it got me my Shodan. It just doesn't have any magic for me, which obviously indicates my lack of understanding of this kata. I should make it a bit of a mission to learn H. Sandan a lot more.

I had an op for a right medial meniscus tear and take my owird for it, go for it. I had the operation last October and was into full time karate and gym training by january this year. There is zero pain after the operation and I had zero side effects. The pre-op injection they give you is the best experience I have ever had!! Best of luck and just take it easy and your time afterwards. Don't be in any hurry to push yourself and you will be fine.

Hi Jade and hey, I'd say this is suitable for in here From my experience, a bad instructor is as you say, one who tries to do to much in a given lesson. I see many a sensei clock watching as they decide we will do 10 minutes on this thing, then 15 minutes on the next and so on. Not good. The best sensei is one who has a particular application or method to teach and builds the lesson on this very point. He / she may start with a kata and then select a combination from that kata. Practice this combination in drill form and break it down further within kumite. I have had an instructor who does just this and the lessons are excellent! A lesson can last an hour or two hours; it all depends on whether or not he has gotten the point across. Good stuff.

I normally practice kekomi (thrust) with the heel and keagi (snap) with the upper side edge of the foot. As long as you work on getting your heel higher than your toes as you kick, then you should be fine.

Not in my dojo but yes, I practice all six of the taikyoko katas.

Yes, well done. Keep it up.

I have Frank Brennan's brown belt and black belt kata videos and they are excellent. Top quality.

Yeah, he is taking a lesson with us tonight - Thursday in Bath, so I'm looking forward to that!

For those of the KUGB who do not know as yet, Terry O'Neil, Bob Poynton and Charles Naylor were all awarded their 7th Dan's by Andy Sherry last weekend. Imagine that? 7th Dan!!! Well done to them!!

For the KUGB, the standard dan katas are shodan -> nidan: bassai sho, kanku sho, niju shiho, jitte, tekki nidan Nidan -> sandan: chinte, sochin, gankaku, unsu, gojushio sho sandan -> yondan: gojushi dai, ji'in, wankan, meikyo, tekki sandan Of course, expect to touch on some or all before the respective grading time. Especially a kata such as Unsu and Gankaku. You will also need to know all the Tekki's (shodan, nidan and sandan) in a hurry as these are practiced often, joined together and in any order.

Yes Jimmy is Frank Brennan's brother. His lessons are tough, some times more the so. He expects a lot more from you and that is saying something. I found Frank to be a lot more leanient at times, compared to Jimmy so be prepared. One thing though, Jimmy will give you a longer break at Yame than Frank will.