Exploring Mawashi Uke: A Circular Block with Hidden Depth

In our dojo, the students were recently set a simple but valuable challenge: research a different uke technique and demonstrate it in class. I chose to explore Mawashi Uke — the circular-style block often associated with Goju Ryu — and to look at how it can be applied in practical self‑defence. My son helped me demonstrate the variations in the accompanying video.

Although Mawashi Uke isn’t native to my own style, Shorin Ryu, it appears in several Okinawan systems. In Goju Ryu it forms part of the foundational kata Sanchin, while in our Shorin Ryu kata Naihanchi it is often interpreted as an outside block followed by a double block. But when you look more closely at the mechanics, the movement reveals a much richer application.

To show how deeply the technique is embedded within Goju‑ryu, it can be found from Sanchin, through Tensho, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Seipai, Kururunfa, all the way to the most advanced kata, Suparinpei.

Beyond Blocking: The “Parry Pass” Concept

Rather than thinking of Mawashi Uke as a static block, it becomes far more effective when viewed as a “parry–pass” sequence:

·         The first hand parries the incoming strike.

·         The second hand passes or sweeps the attacking arm outward, taking control of it.

This two‑stage motion redirects energy, disrupts balance, and creates immediate openings. When combined with a quarter turn of the body, the technique extends the aggressor’s arm and exposes their back — a position that offers multiple follow‑ups.

Specific Techniques Demonstrated

The specific techniques I demonstrated were variations on this parry–pass and quarter‑turn principle. These included: a Pass Parry with a quarter turn into an arm bar applied by the parrying arm, followed by a kick to the head and a drag‑rotate motion on the arm to perform a drag‑down; a Pass Parry and quarter turn into an arm bar or shoulder control, followed by a stomping kick to the rear of the knee; and finally, a Parry Pass with a quarter turn into arm extension and shoulder control, stepping in front with the leg closest to the opponent before pushing down on the back of the head and dragging the arm to execute a throw over that leg.

See the Technique in Action

For those who prefer to see the movements demonstrated, the full video is available here:

Mawashi Uke - Circular Block

The video follows the same structure as this article, showing the Sanchin and Naihanchi interpretations, the parry–pass mechanism, and the three applied examples.

Why This Exploration Matters

Cross‑training concepts like Mawashi Uke helps deepen our understanding of kata, body mechanics, and the shared roots of Okinawan karate. Even when a technique isn’t central to our own style, studying it expands our options and sharpens our ability to interpret movement under pressure.

Thank you for reading.

REY 25/02/2026

Acts of Habitual Violence

Violence rarely arrives as a surprise. It builds in small, predictable steps — the same steps I was taught to recognise first as a security officer, and later, from a very different angle, in karate. What struck me over the years wasn’t the difference between those worlds, but how closely their principles overlap when things start to escalate.

The SIA approach to potentially violent situations was simple and structured:

• Avoid
• Call for backup
• Try to de‑escalate any situation (non‑verbal cues and talking)
• If it escalates, be aware of the laws of self‑defence
• Only act in self‑defence as a last resort, if you can’t walk away and backup doesn’t arrive

Years later, when I took up karate for health reasons, I was struck by how familiar the material felt. Different environment, different purpose — but the same underlying logic:

• Awareness
• Avoidance
• De‑escalation
• Distraction and escape
• Awareness of the laws of self‑defence
• If you believe a threat exists, make sure people around you know you are the victim
• Attack, disable, escape

One thing that was usually not taught to trainee security officers, however, was how to act in self‑defence if it became unavoidable. Proportionality was discussed, but the physical “how” was left largely untouched.

In the style of karate I study (Shorin Ryu), as well as in other Okinawan systems, realistic responses to potential real‑world situations form a fair part of the syllabus. Recently, a friend of mine posed a scenario online to see what responses people from different backgrounds would offer.

The replies were enlightening. The principles of avoidance, engagement, and legal awareness were almost universal. What surprised me more — though perhaps it shouldn’t have — was how similar the physical responses were across styles. Differences in kata references aside, most people gravitated toward broadly the same mechanics, with only minor variations.

The scenario involved escalating aggression: chest punches followed by a swinging punch to the head. The required outcome was to:

• Avoid being knocked out
• Prevent continued aggression
• Control the attacker
• Alter the relationship
• Escape

This matters more to me than it might to others, because one of the standard responses — distract and escape — simply isn’t an option. My health issues preclude me from “making a run for it,” so I have to be more certain than most that my techniques work.

The majority response to the scenario matched almost exactly the example I had submitted based on the brief:

• Frame
• Crash and bridge
• Step back and pull down
• Knee strike
• Drag down and escape

When crashing, the right forearm presses into the side of the neck while the left arm receives the incoming punch, forming a double bridge for control.

This aligned with the general consensus. And that being the case, I can honestly say that this is one scenario which — while I never want to find myself in it — I feel relatively comfortable I could handle within the bounds of proportional response to the violence being attempted.

I still hope I never have to use any of this. But if someone insists on offering me a practical demonstration, at least I know my response won’t be guesswork. Habit is a far better plan than optimism.

Thank you very much for reading if you made it this far.

Regards,

REY

04/02/2026The summarised conclusions from the exercise can be found at: 

Summarised Conclusions

A video with explanation of how it relates to the kata I know can be found at:

  AHV response

Do you Want it? Come and Earn it...

Before the Grading

I should have guessed the next grading test would be different on many levels from the ones I had done previously, before and during Covid, however when I was asked whether I remembered all my Kihon and had practiced them, my answer was a simple "yes." This was followed by an invitation to attend the next grading. I would be trying for my Blue belt.

In the days prior to the grading, I acted as (my son) Brendan's uke for an element that hadn’t been present in previous gradings that I had seen for the higher belts. The routines to escape from a double choke hold weren’t included in my grading, so I wasn’t really aware how anything was going to differ. The last grading I had done we had no paired elements in that, only basic pad work to demonstrate competence in our Kihon Gata.

The Test Begins

Come grading day I thought it would be tough due to my lack of stamina from COPD and the absence of seriously strenuous exercise prior to returning to the dojo several months earlier. I was told this would be taken into account during the grading, as my examiners were fully aware of my issues.

I'm nothing if not bloody-minded though, and at the start of group Kihon I did my best to fully keep up, only dropping the power but matching the other students’ repetitions.

It took two or three techniques and I was almost gone, anything fast was nearly beyond me. Fortunately, the chief examiner told me to go a bit slower rather than trying to keep up. That way, I just made it through Kihon and Kihon Gata, though I was well aware that much of it was probably more ragged than that of other students.

Kata and Recovery

Fortunately, there was a break at that point as the more advanced students went through their additional Kihon Gata. I only had to demonstrate 1 to 4, while some of the other students going for purple belt had to demonstrate all 10.

By the time I got to the point of having to demonstrate my Kata (Naihanchi Shodan), I was determined to get it right. Unfortunately, I didn’t fully relax into it and there was some stiffness but I did manage to get to the end without any major mishaps. That was it — I was done, for better or worse. Or so I thought.

The Circuit Challenge

The higher grade students went through their choke hold, ground work, and other routines that took up a good while. I thought we were done. Silly me. I should have remembered the last face-to-face grading I did before Covid, where they had started to introduce pad work. To my dismay, rather than ending there, out came the various pad sets for circuit work.

There were to be three circuits to be done, from one end of the hall and back, performing the various Kihon Gata combinations on the pads to the call of the pad holders. This was going to test me to the full — and so it did.

I managed to do the first part of one circuit, which was mostly punching techniques, and started on the back sequence. By halfway down the return leg, I was struggling for breath, and I didn’t quite make it to the end. I stumbled off the mat and ended up in a heap on the floor, with someone kindly bringing my inhaler to help me recover. I was unable to participate in the other two circuits, as they were done before I got my breath back.

The Sparring Surprise

At that point, I felt that I had blown my chance of grading, which was deeply disappointing even though I had tried to the best of my ability.

Then came the last part of the grading — sparring. I had never seen this feature before, and it fully convinced me that I had no chance of passing. There were three rounds of sparring to take place, one minute each, and the first two rounds took place with me simply being an onlooker.

Then came the last twist in the tale. I was told to get my sparring kit on and that if I wanted to grade, I had to complete one minute of light sparring. It was against one of the younger students going for purple belt, who I knew had excellent technique, so I didn’t hold out much hope of doing anything meaningful.

However, having been thrown a lifeline, even if it was a challenge, there was no way I was going to miss out on the chance.

One Minute That Mattered

The next one minute was a blur, but one thing that did stick in my mind was that I was actually happy with — was that in response to a mawashi-geri jodan, I ducked my head, raised my shoulder, and took the kick. One of our black belts might remember why I was happy with that?

I remember my Sensei telling me “20 seconds to go,” “10,” then it was over. Again, I was on the floor needing my inhaler, but at least this time it was with the definite knowledge that I had completely given it my best shot.

The Result

I was still semi-resigned to having probably missed out, but there was this little seed of hope.

Then to the awards. All seated on the mat, awaiting our names to be called one by one.. and WOW, I had passed!! Admittedly it was only a C grade, which meant I had just scraped it from any point of view, but I had made it!!

 To say I was happy was an understatement. If you want it enough, sometimes it is possible to earn it even when you think you don’t have much of a chance. Don’t give up — even if it doesn’t work the first time, stick at it and you might just get there!

Thanks for reading.

REY 30/10/2025

How does this Grab you?

 First three choke defences if Brendan remembers correctly: 1:

In the week before my recent Grading, I was acting as Uke for my Son to practice his choke hold escapes with. As he is one rank above me, these are things that I would need for my next Grading if I was successful, so I thought they would be worth documenting for future reference.

There are actually five, but only three are needed for Grading, so my son decided to practice the first three, which are one to three below. the fourth one is actually one of my own, put together from an online example by PJ Broomy, combined with the attacking sequence from 2 below.

1)

Attacker: - Double choke. Defender: - LH pushes down on RA of attacker. Steps LL back into Shiko-dachi, RH palm strike to chin; Defender: RH goes over back of attacker’s R wrist, thumb along centre; Defender: LH repositions so that thumbs side by side on wrist; Defender: Steps back with RL into Zenkutsu-dach, rotating LW to the right and extending arm; Defender; This lowers attacker’s head for a Mai-geri to the head. 2: Attacker: - Double choke. Defender: - LH comes up and over (attacker’s RA) to protect the head; Defender: - RA describes an arc up and over both attackers arms, trapping them together on descent; Defender: - LH reaches across to hold the arm together; Defender: - RA used to perform consecutive elbow and backfist strikes to the neck Defender: - Maig-geri to groin (or knee, depending on proximity) 3: Attacker: - Double choke. Defender: - LH comes up and clasps attacker’s RH to chest Defender: - RH forces attacker’s LH upwards Defender: - Pivots on RL, LL moving backwards in a semi circular arc. Defender: - Drags attacker’s RH across chest, drop and back into attacker and lift Defender: - RH replaces LH holding attacker’s RH, LH goes behind to attacker’s belt Defender: - RH replaces LH holding attacker’s RH, LH goes behind to attacker’s belt Defender: - Pivots on LL, RL moves forward in semicircular arc, releasing L and RH Defender: - attacker is throw to the floor

Adaptation) - one of my own.....

Attacker - Double choke

Defender - Outside block (L or R) to disrupt the choke hold end put the Defender to one side

Defender - With alternate arm, elbow strike followed by backfist to the head or neck.

 

28/12/2025 And now, since I actually graded as a Blue belt, it's my turn to have to learn the choke hold responses. So here is the fourth formal response.

 

4)

 

Attacker: - Double choke

Defender: - LH palm strike to attacker's chin, in between choke hold arms

Defender: - LA up between choke hold arms, then sharply down, clearing attacker's RA and trapping to defender's side. 

Defender: - Lower LA comes up to cause Elbow lock, with LH up by RH chest.

Defender: - RH grasps attacker's L wrist, pushing arm up and away then pulling down to RH chest, LH grasping attackers RA just above the elbow

Defender: - RH punch to attacker's face.

  

Karate: A Family Affair

OK, the title might be a little misleading — but to me, the dojo members are like extended family, and my son is family, so you could say Karate is a family affair for us. 🙂

This week we were lucky enough to train with — tongue in cheek — the “Granddad” of our dojo: Sensei Nohara (10th Dan), President of the Ryukyukan International Karate and Kobudo Federation. He came to give a seminar, and I think he brought the Okinawan weather with him, as the dojo was distinctly hot and humid! Due to my condition, I couldn't train nearly as much as I wanted — but opportunities like this don’t come around often, and they’re not to be missed. 🙂

We trained again on Saturday, marking the first time in five years that both my son and I had been to the dojo twice in one week. That session was a bit of a struggle, thanks to the after-effects of a rather large and spicy pizza the night before! Still, I managed much more of the lesson than I expected, and my son picked up a few more drills than I did — which led us nicely into a Father’s Day follow-up.

My Father’s Day suggestion to him was:

“Go beat me up — then I can do the same back.”

Given that he's bigger than me and a higher grade, it felt like a fair challenge! 🤣

We began with a drill I wrote down two weeks ago (see below), then moved on to material from our previous session — before I inevitably ran out of steam. We practiced kata up to Pinan Shodan, and I shared a few ideas I’d been exploring from a White Crane form I’ve been working on. Honestly, it was some of the best father-son work we’ve ever done. We both finished soaked in sweat, and with grins to match.

---

Starting Drill

1. Attacker (with pads) advances toward defender
→ Defender: verbal command + fence stance

2. Attacker strikes pads to sides of defender’s head
→ Defender: backhand palm strike to pads (head)

3. Attacker throws a roundhouse punch
→ Defender: triangular frame block, protecting head

4. Attacker drops pads to simulate a knee strike
→ Defender: bridges onto attacker’s shoulder and pushes down
→ Then: two knee strikes, followed by release

5. Attacker raises pads for an elbow strike
→ Defender: bridges to pads, delivers two elbow strikes
→ Then: releases bridging hand

6. Defender grabs attacker's wrist (opposite side of bridge)
→ Former bridging hand slaps attacker’s head
→ Body rotates in direction of pull, extending and rotating attacker's arm
→ Slapping hand moves to attacker’s elbow, forcing it downward
→ Rotation continues into an arm bar

7. Attacker is taken to the ground

---

To all the dads out there — Happy Father’s Day, and I hope you get time with your loved ones to sweat, laugh, and share a few bruises in good spirit.  And to all the mums, thank you for putting up with us.

Thanks as always to those of you who read this.
– REY, 15/06/2025

Well it started out as Sanchin

 Of my original introduction to Karate through Shorin Ryu never included Sanchin, but through my interest in the history of Karate, I always had a hankering to have a look at that kata and Tensho.  I learnt Naihanchi as the fundamental kata of my style, but there were three kata named as fundamental to Karate in the first official meeting of Masters in 1936: A nerd blog, the birth of Karate

First came Tensho; when I asked for a Mentor to show me how to use Karate as a form of breathing exercise, Noah Legel offered to help using that kata.  I didn't learn the sharp breathing normally used with Tensho, and indeed Sanchin, rather slow, deep in through the nose, out from the mouth breathing to accompany the "draw in" and "push out" elements of the hand movements.  This was to help me cope with COPD, and I still use in any kata I have picked up since based on the Goju style. Tensho and Breathing Kata

Then Covid hit, I had been lucky to chat with PJ Broomy before that, due to us both having heart issues.  Covid gave us the chance to train together through some formal online lesson, and then develop on a more personal basis.  PJ kindly agreed to show me his style of Sanchin (Bukai, not strictly Goju), which I happily took on board.  My latest video of this kata is shown below.

Bu Kai Sanchin

Post Covid, I still have strong fears of going into crowded places due to my co-morbidities, COPD and hereditary heart problems.   As a result, I decided to ask Russ Smith if I could study some of his Five Ancestors lessons (very much a precursor to Karate).   Some of the basic moves there suggested something similar to Sanchin but different. (The double outward block. followed by a strike particularly).  So I used the Sanchin embusen to practice these.

5 Ancestors basics on the Sanchin Embusen

I suppose the next development was inevitable, in practising, I merged the two together. Sanchin embusen, final arm positions and punches, with 5 ancestors turns and arm crossings (traps rather than blocks, which resulted in the below hybrid version.

5 Ancestors basics / Sanchin Hybrid

Probably of no practical value other than to keep me practising, but isn't that the same goal for us all? Whether it be for competition, body mechanics, self discipline or health, we all have to have our motivation. Health is mine.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for Ben and Alison (my first Sensei), Noah, PJ and Russel for getting me this far.

REY 09/06/2024

Shu Ha Ri

 Events towards the end of last year disheartened me somewhat, and as a result I felt little inclination to post blogs or record videos.  However, I never gave up doing the core that I use for my own purposes (relaxation, clearing the mind and breathing).  As a part of my New Year's resolution, I decided to get back to doing what I enjoy and start increasing the amount of training I do to start getting back to a healthy level of fitness.

In the first instance, I intend to do this by increasing the amount I do based around my core kata.  For those of you that are perhaps reading for the first time, these consist of Naihanchi, Sanchin and Tensho, based on the work I did for CBT to improve my mental health.

Naihanchi - (mostly Shodan, but as I increase the amount of work I do, intend to extend to Nidan and perhaps Sandan, though this isn't one of the kata I formally learned at my original dojo).  This I use for body awareness, how my body moves and the positioning of body elements during the execution of the kata.

Sanchin for body tensioning.

Tensho for deep breathing in a relaxed manner.

What persuaded me to do this was a friend who said that although still I was a novice, my use of kata for these specific purposes was something I had made my own.  As he termed it,  Shu Ha Ri, which I take as a pretty big compliment.  I still have so much to learn, and know that to advance my knowledge in a practical way, I need to return to the dojo.  Family circumstances still preclude this just now, but it is what I aim for.

In the mean-time, that somebody I respect tells me what I have done is of merit is enough for me.

REY 22/01/2023

The anatomy of the bo practice kata

I recently had a session working with my friend PJ Broomy in Australia, that convinced me it could be worthwhile to document how I worked out the practice kata that I use.  I based them on one I was shown for Sai, from a person on Facebook who cared to share.

From my practice with PJ Broomy

The Starting point

There are six Kihon that I can remember, I did start to learn more but these are what stuck.  I also started to learn the opening of Shushi no kon, bur since I haven't been back in the dojo since 2020, it seemed like a good idea to link together what I do know in a more dynamic form of practice.   These are the six Kihon Gata I can remember (sorry Ben if they are not in the right order).

Bo Kihon 1 and 2

1. Left foot forward, guard. Back foot up, front foot to Cat stance strike up. Back foot back, strike down. 2. Right foot forward, guard. Back foot up, front foot to Cat stance strike up. Back foot back, strike down.

Bo Kihon 3 and 4

3. Left foot forward, guard. Front foot back into to Cat stance strike up. Back foot back, strike down. 4. Right foot forward, guard. Front foot back into to Cat stance strike up. Back foot back, strike down.

Bo Kihon 5 and 6

5. Step out into Shiko dachi, look right, rotate bo left and follow tip with eyes. Look left, rotate bo right, follow tip with eyes. 6. Step out into Shiko dachi, look right, rotate bo left and follow tip with eyes. Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, strike. Back to Shiko dachi. Look left, rotate bo right, follow tip with eyes. Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, strike. Back to Shiko dachi.

The Practice kata.

This was my objective (with a little addition of a vertical block after each strike in Kihon 6).  I also deemed Kihon 5 to be a subset of Kihon 6.

Kihon 6 with vertical block after strikes.

Kihon 1, Kihon 2, Kihon 1, Kihon 2

Back foot moves round into Shiko dachi

Kihon 6 with vertical block after strikes.

Kihon 3, Kihon 4, Kihon 3, Kihon 4

Back foot moves round into Shiko dachi

Kihon 6 with vertical block after strikes

I started out working on the basic steps and transitions as per the below video and description:

Bo Practice kata - Stage 1

Hand and stance transitions. Step out into Shiko dachi. Left foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi, strike, back to Shiko dachi. Right foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi strike, back to Shiko dachi. Left foot foward, guard, Right foot forward guard. Left foot foward, guard, Right foot forward guard. Front foot as pivot, back foot moves round into Shiko dachi. Left foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi, strike, back to Shiko dachi. Right foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi strike, back to Shiko dachi. Left foot foward, guard, Right foot forward guard. Left foot foward, guard, Right foot forward guard. Front foot as pivot, back foot moves round into Shiko dachi. Left foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi, strike, back to Shiko dachi. Right foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi strike, back to Shiko dachi.

Then I added in the Cat stance elements as per the below:

Bo Practice kata - Stage 2

Then finally I added in the strikes and recieves as per the below:

Bo Practice kata

Bo practice kata in full

Shiko dachi with bo level, look to right then rotate 180 degrees left.  Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, then Left foot forward, LH forward. Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

LF forward, transfer bo so LH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

Turn 270 degrees into Shiko dachi, bo level. Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, then Left foot forward, LH forward. Front leg back, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  L leg forward, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Front leg back, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  RL forward, strike down. 

LF forward, transfer bo so LH forward.  Front leg back, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  LL foward, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Front leg back, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  RL Forward,  strike down. 

Turn 270 degrees into Shiko dachi, bo level, look to right then rotate 180 degrees left. Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Finish.

It's all still al work in progress as far as I'm concerned, but hope some find it of interest.

REY 20/08/2022

Video diary, January to June

 Starting as I mean to go on.......

04 01 Kata Kihon Quadrant Drill

08 01 Practice

First three Pinans

Punches and kicks

Kihon, Quadrant Drill, punch kick combinations

Bo Nunchaku Sai

First Outdoor Kata of the year

Kata Kihon Sparring Bo

Just Killing Time

Waiting to hear..

Working on a routine..

18 04 Practice

The Great Outdoors

Kusanku Upper Body Kata

Got my Garden Back

Hooking Heel

Kobudo on the H Embusen

26 06 with PJ

REY 14082022

A nerd post - Upper body Kusanku

I am always looking for new things to add to my exercise / training to keep mind and body active.  Recently Noah Legel posted a video (on Instagram and Facebook) of himself peforming an upeer body only version of Kusanku.   Thefirst thing that struck me were that some of the open elements were similar to parts of eight brocades, the second thing that struck was that all the way through there were twists and stretches that would add up to a good workout for someone like me.   This is the link to Noah's kata:

Noah Legel - Upper body Kusanku

I don't know how many times I tried simply to try to follow it to learn the basics of the movements, but I found that challenging to say the least.  So eventually I decided to apply a technique I had used in the past to help me learn, which was to write out the moves as an aide memoire.  If you are working from memory and lose track, it is quite painful to try to load up the video and try to find the exactpoint you want.  I find it easier to skim read through a text to find the point I went wrong at or I need to pick up from.  Below is the description I came up with and at the end is a video of me having a go at the kata based on the text.

Naihanchi Dachi, Naihanchi hands push down.

Lean forward, extend crossed hands in front

Go back to upright position, hands above head

Arms describe a circle, stopping at 180 degrees, with lower arms and open hands vertical

Complete the circle, left hand cupping right

Left side shuto uke, right hand palm up under

Right side shuto uke, left hand palm up under.

Drop hands to rhs, then bring back up, closing fists and forming cup on rhs

Left hand extend, RH punch, LH hikate, RH outside receive, twisting body in line

LH punch, RH hikate, LH outside receive, twisting body in line

LH drops across body, RH backfirst behind.

LH Shuto uke in front, RH under, RH shuto uke in front LH under

LH Shuto uke in front, RH under, LH hikate, RH vertical spear hand.

RH retracts slightly, then horizontal spear hand chin height, LH pseudo jodan uke with palm open across forehead

LH gidan uke bending forward, RH pseudo jodan uke with closed fist across forehead

Still bending foreward, crossed wrists RH in front of LH

Come upright, RH hikate, LH chudan tsuki

RH horizontal spear hand chin height, LH pseudo jodan uke with palm open across forehead

LH gidan uke bending forward, RH pseudo jodan uke with closed fist across forehead

Still bending foreward, crossed wrists RH in front of LH

Come upright, RH hikate, LH chudan tsuki

Pull in LH to right Hip, chudan uke to LHS, RH elbow strike cupped by left arm

Pull in RH to left hip, chudan uke to RHS, LH elbow strike cupped by right arm

LH shuto uke to left side, RH under, quarter turn to right, RH shuto uke, LH under

RH shuto uke to right side, quarter turn to left, LH shuto uke, RH under

Centre, RH horizontal spear hand chin height, LH pseudo jodan uke with palm open across forehead

Extend LH, RH outside receive, twist body in line, LH hikate

Extend LH, RH outside receive, twist body in line, LH hikate

LH chudan tsuki, RH hikate, RH chudan tsuki LH hikate

Hands down LH open RH closed, then bring together in front of face, open cupping closed

Hands down to hip height, open and palm down, to either side

LH Shuto uke in front, RH under, RH shuto uke in front LH under

Turn to left, LH outside receive, RH hikate, RH chudan tsuki LH hikate, LH chudan tsuki , RH hikate

Turn to right, RH outside receive, LH hikate, LH chudan tsuki RH hikate, RH chudan tsuki , LH hikate

RH outside receive, backfist to the rear

LH shuto uke, RH under, RH vertical spearhand LH under

Sweep RH back behind head, LH chudan tsuki, RH hikate.

RH elbow strike to front, Left arm cupping

Turn to right, RH outside receive, LH to LHS of body, vertical lower arm outside receive

Both hands circle inwards, RH passes in front of LH, LH down into gidan uke,  RH back into outside block behind

RH punches down behind left, so now have crossed wrists, LH on top

Upper torso comes back to vertical, crossed wrists in front of chin, palms open from fists on way up

Bring hands down, so palms level with chin, curl fingers inward, from little finger back, to form fists

Right hand outside block, LH to hikate, circle RH down then up vertical arm outside receive to RHS

Hands down and feet together to Nainhanchi close (before final hand together).  Bow.

The following video was filmed in a number of parts and then joined in sequence, as although I remember a fair bit of the first part, I find myself either losing my way of forgetting the moves in the latter part.  these parts were all done by reading, practicing then attempting to perform.

Thank you for reading :)

The Waiting Game

 

One of the most stressful experiences at any point in your life is the waiting game. However, it seemed more tense this time round than on any previous occasion.   Being removed from your post as a result of an adverse mental health experience doesn't help, even when the company the employs you assure you of their good intentions, especially at the age of 61 with a family.

Working in the Security Industry meant at this time were always going to be delays due to the prevailing circumstances.  However, even being aware of the circumstances doesn't help lessen the tension.  The only way I found through this was to focus on one thing at a time, keep up my CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) routine and try to find things to distract.

There are many issues which I need to resolve, but 90% of them require some solid basis on which to plan, which is precisely what I haven't had.  These were the hardest to put to one side, but it was a must as dwelling on them would have done me no good.  I found out about what my employer had in mind round about mid February, but it has taken until now for this to really feel concrete.  I begin work officially in my new role on the 1st of April coming, practically on the 4th of April.

In the time spent waiting, I have started practicing the frame works for 4 of the 5 Pinan kata (this is going back to December, when I was originally signed as fit to returned to work in a controlled manner) and started on a couple of kata with Sai.  Now I'm starting to build up my personal practice time, as I haven't made it back to the dojo yet due to family and health considerations.  But the Waiting Game is almost over, and hopefully I can start to slowly start pulling the pieces together and getting some things in life back on track.  

I want to say a big "Thank You" to my Sensei, family and friends for their support during this time.

REY 26/03/2022

Kata with Sai

I haven't formally been trained in Sai, but some time back, attending a session online with Sensei Tuari Dawson wetted my appetite.  Since been given Sai as a birthday present, I have occasionally used Sai with kata to see how they might fit.  This year however, due to personal circumstances, most of my practice and training has been solo and I found myself picking up the Sai more often.

Sanchin with Sai

I started off with Sanchin, which for some reason seemed to fit, and have been doing that for a couple of months now.  However, on my birthday, a message from one of my FB friends took me back to a video shared with me a couple of years ago.  It was of another standard kata, but done with Sai.  The first time round, I hadn't recognised it, but it was essentially Pinan Nidan.  Well, not quite.  

Pinan Nidan with Sai

I have tried it out a few times, and this weekend if formed the basis of a discussion with PJ Broomy.  Two things came out of this:

Firstly the kata is actually a blend of Taigyoku Shodan and Pinan Nidan
Secondly, I need to work on my Sai manipulation, as I still have a lot to learn.

PJ has kindly guided me to some YouTube material by Tuari Dawson, so time to get studying....

An aide-memoire to Kihon Gata

Very early on in my karate journey, I was introduced to my dojo's kihon gata.  These are the routines practiced alongside kihon and kata that form the main element for beginners and intermediate students, all the way through to those who are looking to go for their black belts.   I produced the below aide memoire to her me to remember them.

Kihon Kata	Simple Description
Shodan	2 punch combination, Mae Geri
Nidan	Mae Geri, 2 punch combination
Sandan	2 punch combination, Mawashi Geri off front leg
Yondan	Mawashi Geri off front leg, 2 punch combination
Godan	Right Mawashi Geri (land in front), left Mawashi geri (land in front), reverse punch, jab.
Rokudan	Ashi uke, jab, cross, Mawashi Geri
Nanadan	Mae Geri (land in front) right jab, back kick
Hachidan	Mae Geri (land in front), back kick, reverse punch
Kyudan	Shuffle, backhand forehand punch, shuffle, backhand forehand punch, right then left mawashi geri, spinning kick
Judan	Shuffle, backhand forehand punch, shuffle, backhand forehand punch, right then left mawashi geri, hisa geri

 Before Covid so rudely interrupted things, I had got as far as my blue belt and was expected to know up to kihon gata Godan, as well as starting to learn Naihanchi Nidan.  However, we have always been encouraged to try to learn as far as we can in preparation for things to come.

Since I still practice on my own (with Zoom lessons as well of course, circumstances permitting), due to my own worries because of my health conditions, I decided to try and make all 10 a part of my solo practices, amongst other things.  Apart from the middle two kihon gata, they.can be considered as pairs.

Shoan and Nidan, Sandan and Yondan, Nanadan and Hachidan, then Kyudan and Judan can all be considered as related to one another, and this is how I like to practice them.  Below are the videos of the pairings of Kihon gata taken from my last solo practice, along with a sequential video of the 10 together.  This is to act as a marker for how far I have come so far, and hopefully for me to measure how much I have improved in later years.

           SHODAN and NIDAN

SANDAN and YONDAN

GODAN and ROKUDAN

NANADAN and HACHIDAN

KYUDAN and JUDAN

And finally all 10 of the kihon gata done as a sequence:

I think given practice, I should eventually be able to comfortably remember them all.  However, my favourite is still Judan, as it's the only one that features my favourite knee strike, also it's much easier to execute than the spinning back kick (or is it a hook kick now?), which takes it's place in Kyudan.  That is something I struggle with, as spinning tends to lead to me disorienting myself in the process.

Here's to more practice to come 😄