Heian/Pinan

[Beka]

we do our kata almost every day in class. There's a special class on Saturdays where we just do forms for an hour. We modify them for fun, like, doing a form in cat stance instead of forward stance, doing them slowly or faster than usual, or switching kinds of kicks or something like that. In our usual classes we put a lot of emphasis on kata. It depends on what sensei wants to do that day, but we generally spend a lot of class time on forms. And it ain't easy. The saturday morning class is really demanding.

 

so, the verdict-- kata = important

 

got any more questions? I'm glad to answer them

[aefibird]

Thanks for your reply, Beka.

 

What styles does Cuong Nhu take its kata from? Do you have any of your own, that are only in Cuong Nhu?

 

That sounds like a fun idea, doing a kata in cat stance instead of another stance - I'll have to try that sometime. Occasionally, things like that can really help you to understand how a kata fits together and helps you to get to grips with it I think.

[Beka]

Well, I'm not totally sure, since I don't have experience with other styles. Our first 4 forms (just called first, second, third, and forth) are just basic moving in forward stance, doing blocks, punches, siome kicks, chops, etc. I think that they were taken from Shotokan, but adapted. I believe there is a form based on wing chun, but I've only heard about it, not seen it. We have Empi, Jutte, and Pinan kata that I know for sure of. I reckon we'd do them similarly to other styles, but again, I don't have experience with any others, so I can't say for sure. We also have bo and tambo kata, but I don't know where they come from.

 

We're having an instructor demo next weekend, so maybe I'll ask around about it.

[aefibird]

Thanks, that would be great if you could! I'm always intereseted in learning about other styles, even if I've never got to see them in action.

[Beka]

here! a video!

 

http://www.cuongnhuatlanta.org/video.htm

 

oh yeah... keep in mind that it's totally a dorky video. It's narrated by some guy with a british accent for some odd reason. but at least you get to see something.

[aefibird]

Thanks again! It is a little bit of a dorky vid, but at least now I can say I've seen Cuong Nhu in action...

 

I must say from what you've said about it, and from seeing the vid, Cuong Nhu looks like a good style - knowing my luck, though, my nearest school will be about a thousand miles away. :-/

[Beka]

well from what I understand there's a school in Paris (Cuong Nhu a Paris). You could just hop on the Chunnel and bam! you're there!!

[aefibird]

lol, and be back again in time for tea and crumpets, in a true british fashion....