I was taught my first kata today. I remember the moves, I'm just having a hard time remembering the order. But I don't remember the name so I can't look it up.

It starts off with your feet together and hands crossed near the groin.

Horse stance

Crescent step into fight stance (right leg back I believe), downward block

Jab (Knife hand, left I think), crescent step forward.

Elbow (Right, I think), same hands fist rotates up (Sempai called it back fist), palm thrust.

Elbow back, grab and pull (As if pulling someones shirt), elbow to the side.

Drop elbow, punch to side (Kiai)

Then it repeats twice but the crescent steps go back instead of forward.

I have no idea if I gave anywhere near a good enough description for someone to identify the kata or not. It's a shot in the dark but I'm hoping.

Sorry, can't help with the name, but check out this link, some helpful tips for learning new kata.

http://www.karatebyjesse.com/learn-new-kata-quick-fast/

Good luck!

Yeah, I read that article.

But before I can practice my kata I need to know I'm doing it in the right order.

Sorry I am not sure but have you checked this site?

They have a list of most katas by style.

http://www.blackbeltwiki.com/forms

I will give it a look.

I remember that sempai called it MP or "Iron Elbow". But all I find online is Empi (I assume is what he meant) and it looks nothing like what I was taught.

In fact I watched two youtube Empi kata videos and they were both different from each other. So I'm confused.

I will give it a look.

I remember that sempai called it MP or "Iron Elbow". But all I find online is Empi (I assume is what he meant) and it looks nothing like what I was taught.

In fact I watched two youtube Empi kata videos and they were both different from each other. So I'm confused.

Having a look at your style of MA it says Goju-Ryu Karate. But running through all the kata (From Goju-Ryu) off the top of my head there is no kata like that in our style.

Empi/Enpi is not a Goju-Ryu Kata.

When you train next ask your instructor of the name, because it might be a school-specific kata that doesn't exist at other schools

Well, in looking it up, it would seem that Ron Van Clief created that kata, and the only videos I can find of it are tapes he is selling. Sorry!

It could be an unofficial (best way I can call it) kihon kata; a kata to introduce kata, so to speak.

I have no experience with Van Clief's system, so I may be off base here.

Empi is an advanced kata typically taught in Shotokan and styles that were influenced by it, I believe. There's a lot of different versions of it, and some schools do several different versions of it as well. Seido does what we call Seido Empi No Dai and Sho at higher black belt ranks, 3rd and 4th dan, I believe. I'm not anywhere near that rank yet; I've only seen them when in class with someone that rank, so I'm speculating. I think Shotokan does Empi at or very close to black belt.

Yep, Definitely seems to be a school-specific Kata. I can't find a reference too the name sadly.

That's too bad.

Frustrating to be taught it, remember the moves, but not be able to practice cause I can't remember the order.