Continued training for upcoming Shodan exam doing the various Kihon combination technques, Kata and review of Jiyu-Ippon Kumite for Jodan, Chudan, Maigeri and Yokogeri.  Utillizing Kancho Kanazawa's Kumite system to develop Tenshin/Taisabaki.

Training Karate with beginners, such as Lori, starts with learning how punch and kick.  Doing the basic offensive movements helps develop the correct defensive techniques.  As Takemori Sensei has explained, you would first learn how to fall in Judo, before you starting learning to throw...this is the same with Karate.  But in this case you start with the offensive movements first before you develop the defense techniques.  In this case we did punching and front snap kicks both left and right sides.
Working with the advanced group consisted of reviewing the Shodan exam basics, favorite (Tokui) Kata...Meikyo, Kanku-dai and Sochin as well as Jiyu-Ippon and Jiyu Kumite.

Worked in class on Kumite practice, both jiyu-ippon and jiyu kumite.  As well as reviewed katas being performed by individuals looking to perform in the upcoming SKIF Hawaii tournament being held on May 15th.  Also, we had the opportunity to work with kicking pads to demonstrate the proper kicking and punching techniques.

Continued training for Dan examination which includes all three aspects of Karate:  Kihon, Kata and Kumite.  Started practicing Jodan and Chudan Jiyu-ippon techniques.  An item to add that is incorporated into all SKIF dan exams, is that black belt examinee's go through a Kime test to check on your development of an individuals Kime.

Continued training for Dan exam and upcoming tournament.

Continued training for Dan exam and upcoming tournament.

We still trained on Valentine's day.

We started training for the Dan Exam and upcoming SKIF Hawaii Karate Tournament being held on May 15th. 

Started training Jiyu-Ippon Kumite for Jodan (head) techniques.  In the SKIF Kumite system, we do 5-step, 3-step, 1-step, free 1-step and un-prearranged Kumite movements to develop: apply the proper offensive and defensive techniques, distance "Sundome," Taisabaki, speed, power, Kime, Zanshin and breathing in a progressive Kumite system.

We want to welcome a new student to the club, her name is Lori.  Part of her training was learning how to punch, front kick and move forward into a front stance.

Victor Takemori Sensei was there to help teach and provide guidance in the class.  

In attendance were Norm, Catherine, Jenee and Serena.

Basic training starts off with learning offensive movements before defensive movements are taught.  So learning how to punch and kick is a fundemental starting point for SKIF karate.  By learning how to do these things, then learning how to defend against these attacks becomes an easier learning process. 

Advance training consisted of a review of basic katas, one through five (Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan and Heian Godan) as well as Tekki Shodan.  All are needed to advance to a brown belt or intermediate level as well as being a necessary part of Sho-dan exam process.  Training finished with the first one-step free-style movement to defend against a lunging punch to the head.