These photos were taken during a single lesson in May 2006. No two lessons are ever the same, but this series gives a flavour of what to expect. Click on the slideshow button above to see them in order, or click on any of the thumbnails below to see a larger picture. Photos are displayed here with the permission of all the childrens’ parents.
A karate lesson
All lessons have a formal start and end.
Kihon: basic drills.
Kihon includes kicks...
...punches...
...and sometimes other drills.
Parents are welcome to watch.
Students help each other improve technique.
This is ‘Kaishi Kamae’...
... a series of short coordinated exercises...
...which train coordination...
...speed...
...and control of body weight.
All lessons normally include Kata.
Kata are longer sequences...
...of fighting techniques.
Kata have names; this is Pinan Yondan.
Pinan Sandan kata.
The atmosphere in a class...
...is one of focussed concentration.
If the hands are here, where are the feet?
Water break
Gekusai Ni kata
Training leg strength and wrist flexibility.
Bunkai: the meaning behind the katas.
Choreographed...
...but performed with intent...
...to train the partner’s defence.
Sanchin kata...
...whole body tension is maintained...
... the partner is helping to check tension.
Seienchun kata...
...training shika dachi stance...
...which has to be sustained for minutes.
Saifa kata
Balance...
...with power
Hokei kumite...
...paired exercises...
...inspired by kata.
Etiquette is observed.
Pinan Sandan Hokei Kumite.
More Seienchun kata...
...
...
...
...
...
Tensho kata
The sustained shikadachi stances...
...at the start of Seienchun...
...
...
The better you get...
...the more important the details become.
...
...
...
...
Explanations of...
...the finer points of shika dachi.
Arrive at the stance...
...and with practice...
...you can stay there...
...for hours.
“Just keep practicing”
Birthday celebrations at the end of the lesson.
