Naihanchi shodan elements

Naihanchi Shodan is the first and most important kata of my style of karate (Ryukyukan Shorin Ryu).  It forms the basis of what we are taught as a system of fighting, which is basically for self defense.  I'm getting to the point now where the kata itself is pretty decent, but my Sensei are picking up the small faults.

When we first started to learn it, we learnt in small sequences.  Once the first sequence would be repeated, and second small sequence would be added. Then another, etc. until the first half of kata was learnt.  Then we had to learn on the other side, as the kata is linear and basically done in one direction and repeated in the other.  

Along with the moves as we learned them, we were given examples of how these could be interpreted, and drills to practice the many possible combinations and uses it contains.  

Now I have got to the more advanced stage of understanding the kata, I have to break it down again and practice it in elements.  These take the form of:

1. Stepping, to make sure I transition correctly and maintain the correct stance.
2. Kicking, to make sure this element is executed correctly (the kicking in Naihanchi is highly stylised, into an inside leg flick and the combination is often referred to as the "Returning wave".
3. Arm kata, just arm movements on their own, in order to correct minor defects in arm positioning and techniques.

After this comes putting the elements together, but practicing slowly to ensure that I fit it all together correctly.  It's still work in progress but by practicing it in it's elements and then slowly but with intent, I hope gradually to get more confident and start to doing it accurately and and more sharply.

Thank you for reading if you made it this far ☺☺☺