Reply
Dec 31

Gekisai Kata | Goju Ryu Karate

Posted on 2011/12/31 by DrGojuRyu

Gekisai means “to attack and destroy”.
There are two gekisai kata in goju ryu; gekisai dai ichi and gekisai dai ni. These kata were developed by Chojun Miyagi and Nagamine Shoshin as an introduction to karate for children in Japanese schools. Sanchin kata, the first kata of the goju ryu curriculum, often requires a few years of arduous training.
Gekisai dai ichi kata (ichi is one in Japanese) was taught first with closed hand techniques as a way to avoid finger injuries.
Gekisai dai ni kata (ni is two in Japanese) was taught second and it includes open handed techniques. The kata ends with the cat stance (neko ashi dachi) and a two-handed roundhouse block (mawashi uke).

Read More »

Posted in Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Goju Ryu Karate Kata | Tagged | Leave a comment
Reply
Dec 31

Sanchin Kata | Goju Ryu Karate

Posted on 2011/12/31 by DrGojuRyu

Sanchin kata is of Chinese origin. The word Sanchin can be translated at “the three battles”.  A possible interpretation is the battle between the mind, the body, and the spirit.
The version of Sanchin seen in goju ryu karate uses closed fists and was developed by Chojun Miyagi. Sanchin kata uses the “pigeon-toed” sanchin stance (sanchin dachi in Japanese). The toes are used to grip the floor. In the sanchin stance the hips and knees are partly flexed; this lowers the body’s center of gravity which increases stability and it allows for the generation of powerful punches.
Controlled breathing (ibuki breathing) is performed which focuses Qi energy in the tanden area just below the umbilicus.
The movements in Sanchin kata are performed using  maximal muscle tension and are synchronized with diaphragmatic breathing techniques. A point of focus is the final moment of impact of the punch (chudan tsuki) which coincides with the end of exhalation.
There are two sanchin kata in goju ryu, sanchin dai ichi and sanchin dai ni.

Read More »

Posted in Goju Ryu Karate Kata, Sanchin | Tagged | Leave a comment