Monday, October 24, 2011

GICHIN FUNAKOSHI

founder of Shotokan Karate

NIJU KUN

Karate is not only dojo training.
Don't forget that Karate begins with a bow and ends with a bow.
In Karate, never attack first.
One who practices Karate must follow the way of justice
First you must know yourself. Then you can know others.
Spiritual development is paramount; technical skills are merely means to the end.
You must release your mind
Misfortune comes out of laziness.
Karate is a lifelong training.
Put Karate into everything you do.
Karate is like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly it will again become cold.
Do not think you have to win. Think that you do not have to lose.
Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.
Move according to your opponent.
Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords.
When you leave home, think that millions of opponents are waiting for you.
Ready position for beginners and natural position for advanced students.
Kata is one thing. Engaging in a real fight is another.
Do not forget (1)strength and weakness of power, (2)expansion and contraction of the body, (3)slowness and speed of techniques.
Devise at all times.

مبادىء فنكوشي في الكاراتيه
1- الكاراتيه ليست دوجو
2- ابدأ بالتحية وانتهي بالتحية
3- لا تبادر بالهجوم
4- العدل أساس الكاراتيه
5- اعرف نفسك قبل الآخرين
6- المهارات الروحية سامية، بينما مهارات الأدوات نهاية
7- استخدم عقلك
8- سوء الحظ أصله الكسل
9- الكاراتيه ممارسة مدى الحياة
10- اجعل حياتك كلها كاراتيه
11- الكاراتيه كالماء الساخن، إذا أطفأت الحرارة تبرد
12- لا تفكر بالفوز، بل فكر بألا تخسر
13- النصر أصله الاعتراف بالخطأ والصواب
14- تحركا تبعا للخصم
15- تذكر أن أيدي وأرجل خصمك سيوفا تشحذها
16- إذا عدت لبيتك، تذكر أن ملايين الخصوم ينتظرون عودتك
17- المبتدى يقف مستعدا، والمتقدم يقف طبيعيا
18- الكاتا دخول في قتال حقيقي
19- في الكاراتيه تذكر دوما أ‌) القوة والضعف
ب‌) تمدد الجسم وتقلصه
ت‌) السرعة والبطء
20- ابتكر دائما وأبدا

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Neko Ashi Dachi (Cat Stance) Shotokan Stances

Neko Ashi Dachi

Neko ashi dachi or cat stance, in shotokan karate, is normally first practiced in the shotokan karate kata, hangetsu (half moon). In the shotokan karate system, neko ashi dachi has 90 percent of the weight on the back leg, with the front leg barely touching the floor.

Neko Ashi Dachi

Standing with the feet side by side and slight apart, slide the left foot in front of the right, so as the heel of the left foot just goes past the toes of the right foot. Strongly bend the right leg, push the crown of the head up and roll the hips up, to keep the spine straight.

The front leg should be lightly touching the floor, there are two different ways to do this.
1. As in the picture. Ankle straight, toes pulled back, with the ball of the foot (koshi).
2. Again with the ankle straight, but this time, keeping the toes pointing and straight, just having the big toe lightly touching the karate dojo floor.
Some karate styles practice another version of neko ashi dachi, it has the same postioning but with the body weight on the front leg. Karate dojo will vary slightly in their teachings, but shotokan karate dojo, tend to remain the same, so if you are a shotokan karateka, this should be the way you practice, if you belong to another school, please check with your sensei.
Here is a link to all the basic shotokan stances and a video of neko ashi dachi.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Karate Self Defense Training

Just about every knows the martial art of karate as one of the most popular methods of self defense training in the United States and throughout the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. The Karate Kid movies of the 1980s did much to popularize the martial arts techniques and the discipline as a whole.
Karate is a martial art developed in the country of Japan which includes many different training levels. It is seen by different practitioners as an art form and a method of self defense. As with other martial arts, Karate does not solely rely on physical techniques such as kicks, blows, strikes, holds, and takedowns. It also integrates various mental elements and training in leadership skills.
The martial arts practice of Karate is built on different patterns, forms, and interpretations. Parts of the system include forms (called kata), attitude (known as kokoro), and sparring (also called kumite). When using kata, practitioners use a sequence of martial arts moves that translate into the principles of combat attack. Similarly, kumite incorporates grappling and kicking techniques that are commonly used during Karate sporting events and tournaments. Finally, kokoro is known as the center of Karate. Users of Karate cannot further their improvement without character and a heart for the sport.
These days many youth and small children are trained in the sport of Karate and it is usually seen in such a connotation. However, it has its beginning as a true self defense martial art. Early on, only 3 obi betls were used to denote ranking in Karate. Three colors were used: black, brown and white, and each color level was divided in several sublevels. With increasing popularity, many more colors were eventually introduced into the sport.
History of Karate
Karate's roots were established during a time of extreme political turmoil and wars. Shotokan Karate was founded by a man named Gichin Funakoshi, and he is given much credit for helping to spread the use of Karate across the main islands of the nation of Japan. Okinawa marked the beginning of the discipline in 1936 when many Karate masters came together. The masters of Karate included men like Kentsu Yabu, Chotoku Kyan, Chojun, Chomo Hanashiro, Shinpan Shiroma, Genwa Nakasone, Choryo Maeshiro, and Choshin Chibana.
The city of Okinawa and the surrounding region was important to the development of Karate because it was the nation's political center. The kingdom was rules by Sho Hashi, who had banned the use of weaponry throughout the area. It was this weapons ban that led people to begin developing unarmed combat and self defense training.
In the years to come Karate increased exponentially in its popularity. Perhaps the early founders of the discipline would be surprised at how many have come to embrace its teachings. Now karate is offered in small towns and large cities across the globe, and it is practiced by women, children, and seniors as well as men. It has even been included in the Olympic Games.