Bowing is probably the feature of Japanese etiquette that is best known outside Japan, especially present in Japanese Martial Arts such as Karate.
Bowing is considered extremely important in Japan, so much so that, although children normally begin learning how to bow from a very young age, companies commonly provide training to their employees in how to execute bows correctly.
Basic bows are performed with the back straight and the hands at the sides (boys and men) or clasped in the lap (girls and women), and with the eyes down. Bows originate at the waist. Generally, the longer and deeper the bow, the stronger the emotion and the respect expressed.
Karrinyup Karate – 2 Nerita Way – Stirling Karate.
Like well known karate blogger, Jessie said, “To teach is to learn twice. When you teach something to others you are forced to rethink your understanding of it.”
Einstein said: “If you can’t explain it to a 5 year old, you don’t understand it well enough”
Karate provides a lot of mental and intellectual stimulation over and above the physical benefits. To have a deeper understanding of karate technique will most certainly add to your enjoyment of the art. Teaching karate will force you to explain why and how techniques were designed to work, especially when a 6 year old puts you on the spot!
I have seen the benefits of seniors teaching in our dojo over the last 20 years. It is part of our dojo culture to teach at least once a week when you receive your shodan.
This is what it’s achieving:
Young adults (and older ones) learning to take responsibility, build self esteem, become leaders and give back.
Learning twice, re think karate. Remembering and executing karate better and become better karate-ka.
Establishing a culture of friendship and caring for fellow dojo members which builds camaraderie and spirit.
I would love to know what you learn from teaching karate in the comments section below. What do you learn from teaching karate?
Whether you are competing in karate, do kumite sparring or defending yourself, nobody like to be kicked in the head! It’s not only dangerous but humiliating.
A. The first part of the video is about a nice little 3 point drill that helps you defend a front foot maswashi geri to the face.
1. Move towards the kick, break the line, counter attack kezame tsuki
2. Move back to block and counter gyaku tsuki
3. The opponent delivers an ushiro mawashi geri and defending by moving towards the closed side of the opponent , keeping close while countering gyaku tsuki.
In your training session let the opponent perform two front foot maswashi geris and one front foot ushiro mawashi geri to the target standing still. Secondly provide a moving target. Thirdly let the opponent move into the correct directions. Fourthly apply block and counter attacking.
B. The second part of the video is some ideas around defending against a front foot mawashi while sweeping the opponent’s supporting leg. Be sure to keep your defence up when approaching with the sweep.
Karin Prinsloo – Dynamic Karate Training – Ladder Drills.
Ladder drills don’t only add an exciting component to a karate class, but help develop vitally important skills for any karate-ka namely agility, foot speed and balance.
Agility is the ability to change the position of the body quickly and with control. This helps karate-ka evade an attack and counter, change angles of attack or defend and counter against multiple assailants.
Balance is the ability to retain the centre of mass above the base of support when stationary (static balance) or moving (dynamic balance).
Any karate-ka will know the importance of agility and balance. How to improve this: 1) Practice kihon, kata and kumite. 2) Try over emphasize agility and balance requirements with high repetition e.g. ladder drills.
Tip: When performing patterns on the ladder, try and simulate karate technique e.g. Arms in the correct fighting position, legs in a fighting stance kamae where possible.
Over and above benefits: Cognitive: Improved concentration, vigilance and memory. Muscular: quicker muscle contraction, joint stability, improved cardio. And lastly, it is FUN. #karinprinsloo#karate#SAJKA#ladderdrill#agility
Karin Prinsloo – Dynamic Karate Training – Arm Drills
Plyometrics, also known as “jump training” or “plyos”, are exercises in which muscles exert maximum force in short intervals of time, with the goal of increasing power (speed-strength).
Karate requires explosive speed and power, and need simulated, application of plyometric training exercises to match. Here are some plyometric exercises which you can use by yourself, or in the dojo. Remember to try simulate the trajectory of karate technique. This is highly effective and simple to do.
Bowing is probably the feature of Japanese etiquette that is best known outside Japan, especially present in Japanese Martial Arts such as Karate.
teach at least once a 
week when you receive your shodan.
