Home Practice Guide for Session 1

During the week of 1/16 & 1/17, our classes covered the following skills

Stances

Listening Position #1: Sitting 'criss-cross' fashion. Back is straight. Hands or forearms rest on the knees. Eyes are on the instructor body is still. Breathe deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth.

Listening Position #2: Kneeling with one foot on ground and one knee on the ground. Hands are folded on the higher knee. Back is straight. Eyes on the instructor and body is still. Breathe as in listening position #1.
Hint: Balance in this position is easier if the top of the back foot rests on the ground (rather than the ball of the foot).

Listening Position #3: Also called 'attention stance'. Standing upright with feet together and hands at the sides. Back is straight, eyes on the instructor and body still. Breathing as in listening position #1.

Safety Stance: Step back with one foot. Raise hands open in front of the face. Elbows are down, protecting the body. Knees are bent slightly. Back is straight. Eyes are straight ahead.
Note: Hands are open in this position, rather than closed into fists. This is to keep your appearance non-aggressive.

Horse Stance: Step out with one foot so both feet are about shoulder width apart. Bend knees slightly and lower your bottom a few inches. Hands are in fists and rest on the hips with elbows back. Back is straight and eyes ahead.

Blocks

Inward Block: Start with fist next to your ear (right hand by right ear, for example). Keeping the forearm parallel to your body, move the arm inward towards and across your center.

Outward Block: Start with your fist by your hip. Move your hand in a half-circle outward away from your center.

Upward Block: With arm perpendicular to the body, move your arm upward until it's above your head.

Downward Block: Start with your fist by your hip. In a downward half-circle, move your arm outward and away from the lower half of your body.

Students who wish to test for rank will be asked to demonstrate all of these skills. I recommend spending at least twenty minutes practicing your karate each day.