Learning Kata online

[Judodad_karateson]

As I'm new to karate, I'd like to accelerate my training at home my practicing my Kata. I'm not really that concerned with rank, but at the same time, I'd really like to get out of this white belt ASAP. I've got Fukyugata ichi roughly memorized, but I'm concerned practicing it too much without an instructor present will cause me to develop bad habits for poor form.

Do you guys have any favorite sites or youtube channels for breaking down Kata movement by movement?

My style is Kenshin Kan, if that makes any difference.

[mushybees]

I use online videos to familiarise myself with the techniques, directions and timing of kata. I actually learn it in the dojo with my sensei.

It works best for me because I share the same concerns as yourself about introducing bad habits.

[Bulltahr]

Maybe get critique at the dojo first, really get to know the movements well and then polish, polish, polish...........

[Spodo Komodo]

Does the head/founder of your style have videos on youtube or similar? I have never learned a kata entirely from video as it is easy to misinterpret similar stances, whether something is a punch or a block etc. There are also a lot of bad kata videos out there, sometimes from people who just can't perform the kata well, sometimes from people who have created their own style and do a similar but not entirely identical kata to the one you want.

Personally I learn the kata, take tips and notes in the dojo and then I watch the videos of Otsuka Sensei and Suzuki Sensei to reinforce the finer points, but only when I know the kata fairly well. Obviously a lot depends on the popularity and the availability of video clips for your style, once you get away from Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Goju Ryu, Shito Ryu and GKR you might be struggling.

[mazzybear]

As the others have said, learning from videos online is not ideal. I use them to familiarise myself with the moves, direction etc but, there are many nuances that you may not pick up, which in turn creep their way in to your kata. I'd say, sure, use it as reference but, not a full on teaching aid, that's what your instructor is there for, take any questions or things you're unsure of to him and he'll set you on the correct path.

Mo.

[mazzybear]

I watch the videos of Otsuka Sensei and Suzuki Sensei to reinforce the finer points, but only when I know the kata fairly well.

The Wado Kai videos with Arakawa Sensei on youtube are also quite good. I've found the one's with Suzuki Sensei, they have some small differences, the katas have been updated ever so slightly since he filmed them. His version of Niseishi is very different in the beginning to how we do it, which I find odd because Otsuka's Sensei version filmed many years before, his Niseishi is as we do it now. I think Suzuki must have changed it on his own accord before changing it back.

Mo.

[Spodo Komodo]

Yes the differences between Otsuka, Suzuki and Wado-Kai fuel endless discussions during water breaks...

[Wado Heretic]

If one can find videos reflective of what is expected of you in the Dojo; in terms of waza, embusen, and kime, then online videos can be useful as a memory aide.

Ultimately; it is a double edged sword. Thankfully the internet has opened up a whole new era with regards to accessing karate, and information in general, but it also means people who would have once been eliminated via the power of a peer review can spread poor or disingenuous material much easier.

Can one learn a kata from a video is a tricky question. In a specific experience; I have a student in the U.S who I visited for two weeks. In those two weeks I introduced him to the Fyukyugata and Pinan series, and Naihanchi Shodan. In the time since, we have used a regular video training session via Skype, and my sending videos of the Kata with commentary, to continue his training. I would say that it is the influence of the video training sessions that matters more with regards to training, than the video of the kata themselves.

Ultimately; it is the feed back that is what leads to a good kata performance or not. Hence, why we all go on about finding an instructor. I have met people who have learnt kata via video without a feed back system, and people who have learnt via video but had feed back. The difference is incredible.

Now, as an instructor and fan of using media as a training tool; just train. We all develop bad habits regardless of how much we practice or train; train with the mindset of global improvement. Any unwanted habits you develop your instructor will correct; just train and be mindful of corrections. You will not escape bad habits, they will get you, so just train.

[Judodad_karateson]

Maybe I wasn't as specific as I need to be. I'm in a class, I'm looking for supplemental resources because is like to practice Kara more than 2 nights a week, and there isn't a big private lesson scene in my area. I've been taugh the kata, but as I'm new, I'd like to study the movements from variety of sources to get my solo training on the right track.

[CredoTe]

As I'm new to karate, I'd like to accelerate my training at home my practicing my Kata. I'm not really that concerned with rank, but at the same time, I'd really like to get out of this white belt ASAP. I've got Fukyugata ichi roughly memorized, but I'm concerned practicing it too much without an instructor present will cause me to develop bad habits for poor form.

Do you guys have any favorite sites or youtube channels for breaking down Kata movement by movement?

My style is Kenshin Kan, if that makes any difference.

I don't know what your full kata curriculum is, but since you mention Fukyugata Ichi, I recommend getting Shoshin Nagamine's book, The Essence of Okinawan Karate-do. It contains all of the kata of Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu), including the Fukyugata.