Halstead Shotokan Karate-Do
Children: Mondays 7.00pm to 8.00pm
Adults: Mondays 8.00pm to 9.00pm
Costs: £17.50 per month
Taught by: Sensei Glenn Hildyard - Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) and Sensei Derek Gatfield - Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt).
Location: Queens Hall, Chipping Hill, Halstead, Essex.
Beginners: Are always welcome. Karate is practiced by normal people, not super humans. we do not smash Ice or Bricks. You'll be made to feel very welcome and can rest assured that you will be taught in a Safe Learning Environment with a Friendly Club Atmosphere.
Braintree Shotokan Karate-Do
Children: Sundays 10.00am to 11.00am
Adults: Wednesdays 8.00pm to 9.00pm and Sundays 11.00am to 12.00 noon
Children at secondary school over the grade of Green Belt are welcome to train with the Adults if they are of a mature disposition.
Costs: £17.50 per month based on training once per week or £27.50 based on training twice per week.
Taught by: Sensei Jeff Russell - Sandan (3rd Dan Black Belt) in Karate, Honorary Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) in Aikido and Honorary Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) in Ju Jutsu. Martial Arts Columnist and COMBAT Hall of Fame Award recipient.
Location: Braintree Liesure Centre, Panfield Lane, Braintree, Essex.
Beginners: Are always welcome. Karate is practiced by normal people, not super humans. we do not smash Ice or Bricks. You'll be made to feel very welcome and can rest assured that you will be taught in a Safe Learning Environment with a Friendly Club Atmosphere.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Kanku Dai
65 movements taking 90 seconds to complete, Kanku Dai is the longest Kata and means 'To Look at the Sky', referring to it's opening movements. This was Master Gichin Funakoshi's favourite Kata.
Koshokun was a special envoy of the Ming Emperor of China and was also a Kenpo expert. It is thought Koshokun is the originator of Kushanku (Kanku Dai).
Master Itsou used various movements from this Kata to develop the Heian Kata. Kanku Dai is easier to learn and perform if the Heian Kata have been taught and studied correctly.
Formerly known as Kushanku, it became known as Kanku Dai when Master Funakoshi changed the characters used to write Tode Jutsu (China Fist Art) to Karate (Empty Hand).
Koshokun was a special envoy of the Ming Emperor of China and was also a Kenpo expert. It is thought Koshokun is the originator of Kushanku (Kanku Dai).
Master Itsou used various movements from this Kata to develop the Heian Kata. Kanku Dai is easier to learn and perform if the Heian Kata have been taught and studied correctly.
Formerly known as Kushanku, it became known as Kanku Dai when Master Funakoshi changed the characters used to write Tode Jutsu (China Fist Art) to Karate (Empty Hand).
Bassai Dai
Many variations of this dynamic and powerful Kata exist in different styles. There are two forms Dai and Sho. Bassai Sho believed to be developed by Itosu. Some claim Bassai Dai was introduced by Master Oyadomari but a more thorough study should determine whether it was more influenced by Tomari-Te than Shuri-Te from Itosu.
This is a powerful and dynamic Kata that is representative of Shotokan.
Meaning; To Storm the Fortress / Castle. When I perform this Kata I like to momentarily close my eyes and visualise an ancient medieval castle, with huge thick stone walls. I imagine how much energy and power must have been utilised by medieval soldiers to break down the walls of these castles. Once I have a true appreciation of what was required by medieval soldiers I open my eyes and say 'BASSAI DAI', then Hajimae, I can can begin! Try it yourself.
This is a powerful and dynamic Kata that is representative of Shotokan.
Meaning; To Storm the Fortress / Castle. When I perform this Kata I like to momentarily close my eyes and visualise an ancient medieval castle, with huge thick stone walls. I imagine how much energy and power must have been utilised by medieval soldiers to break down the walls of these castles. Once I have a true appreciation of what was required by medieval soldiers I open my eyes and say 'BASSAI DAI', then Hajimae, I can can begin! Try it yourself.
Heian Kata
In 1905 Yasutsune Itsosu decided to introduce and promote the practice of basic techniques as a subject in secondary schools. He developed a form of gymnastics practiced in groups instead of training in secret for fighting. For this reason in the Heian Kata, techniques like Ippon / Nihon Nukite to the eyes, kicking to the groin / joints were eliminated. Heian Kata now began and ended in Uke, expressing humility.
When we start Karate the Heian Kata are the first Kata we learn. Often as we progress we forget to practice them or neglect them. Heian Kata are extremely important later on in training and for many reasons we should not neglect or forget them.
Shotokan Karate Kata are traditional, have meanings and value. If performed in any other way, other than there traditional form, Kata lose their authenticity. Compared to Kanku, Heian are not fighting Kata but merely basic techniques, for gym training. This brings a different concept into the history of Kata.
The origin of most Kata are unknown except for the Heian Kata. Many ancient Kata were taught in secret from Master to student. The real reasons for this are still unclear.
Heian Kata stems from Koshokin, the creator of Kanku. Although there are also theories claiming Heian Kata stem from Bassai Kata.
Heian means 'Peaceful Mind' and this should be borne in mind when we practice or perform the Kata. Empty your mind, be at one with yourself and focus on nothing but the techniques.
When we start Karate the Heian Kata are the first Kata we learn. Often as we progress we forget to practice them or neglect them. Heian Kata are extremely important later on in training and for many reasons we should not neglect or forget them.
Shotokan Karate Kata are traditional, have meanings and value. If performed in any other way, other than there traditional form, Kata lose their authenticity. Compared to Kanku, Heian are not fighting Kata but merely basic techniques, for gym training. This brings a different concept into the history of Kata.
The origin of most Kata are unknown except for the Heian Kata. Many ancient Kata were taught in secret from Master to student. The real reasons for this are still unclear.
Heian Kata stems from Koshokin, the creator of Kanku. Although there are also theories claiming Heian Kata stem from Bassai Kata.
Heian means 'Peaceful Mind' and this should be borne in mind when we practice or perform the Kata. Empty your mind, be at one with yourself and focus on nothing but the techniques.
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