Tekki Katas Explained

Known for their unique footwork and powerful stances, Tekki Katas are a cornerstone of traditional karate. These sequences, performed mainly in a horse stance, challenge practitioners to develop strength, precision, and balance. But they’re more than just physical exercises—they carry centuries of martial philosophy, teaching close-range combat techniques and mental discipline. Whether you’re refining your…

Shotokan Karate Heian Katas

Getting started in Shotokan Karate means mastering the fundamentals, and that’s where the Heian Katas come into play. These five structured sequences aren’t just routines—they’re the cornerstone of a karateka’s training. For beginners, they provide a carefully designed blueprint to develop balance, stances, and transitions while building the muscle memory essential for more advanced techniques….

The History Behind Taikyoku Katas

For anyone starting on their karate journey, the Taikyoku katas hold special importance. Designed by Gichin Funakoshi and his son in the 1930s, these forms simplify complex movements, making karate accessible to beginners. Emphasising essential techniques like blocking, punching, and stance transitions, they build the foundation for more advanced kata. Their simplicity isn’t a limitation…

The Art of Folding a Martial Arts Gi

Folding a martial arts gi isn’t just about keeping it tidy—it’s a practice steeped in history and meaning. For martial artists, it symbolises respect for their art, discipline in their training, and care for their tools. Every fold reflects tradition, connecting practitioners to the roots of their craft while serving the practical purpose of maintaining…

The Heart of Bushido

The heart of bushido was designed to provide a set of principles, values, and guidelines that govern the behaviour and actions of warriors. Serving as a moral compass or a code of conduct, helping warriors to maintain discipline, honour, and integrity in their roles as protectors or even now martial artists. The specific contents of…