Our practices
The practices within different Shotokai clubs in Finland vary somewhat, and so the following description is about our club, but to some degree also applies to other Shotokai clubs in Finland.
Kata
In our club we esteem kata (practice of technique forms; no partner, often performed in groups) practice high with its implications on body feeling, use of low gravity etc. We place great importance in the ability to move in harmony with our practice partners both in kata and in several moving exercises. We also practice those techniques from kata which seem to be practical.
The way we practice kata could maybe be described as somewhere between T'ai Chi and Shotokan in the eyes of a spectator. Katas are performed with different paces, from very slow to full speed. Often the pace is chosen so that the feeling of using hip movement and appropriate breathing in the techniques is possible. Different practice items are emphasized in kata training.
Kihon
In kihon (practice of basic techniques) we train not only against air but also on punching pads and other practice equipment. Tameshiwari (breaking boards etc.) is practically nonexistent. In kihon kumite (kihon with a partner) we train moving, distancing, rythm and the various techniques. Long series performed with a partner (e.g. ward off, hit, kick, take to the ground, lock) are not common except in some katas designed for pairs. The practice also includes techniques for releasing of basic holds etc.
Kumite (sparring)
Our practice includes also jyu kumite (free sparring) and prearranged kumite forms, but we do not have any competitions. We see the several kumite type practices as a way to benefit mutually with your training partner. There is no showing off, we think that the karate practices should always be something positive for all members, regardless of their age and other attributes.
Stretching and health
It goes without saying that warming up, streching etc. exercises are an integral part of the practices; the well being of the practitioners is naturally of prime importance to us.
Gradings
The grading after 5. kyu (yellow belt) take place always on national/international courses in order to be able to check the level of the candidate against the national/international level.
About Karate-Do Shotokai style
The way Shotokai performs kata and also the basic techniques is based on the same Funakoshi Sensei teaching as for the Shotokan style. We have the same katas and use the same names for techniques. The "classical" practice methods are based on the same frame (sambon kumite, tenno kata...).
The way our karate differs from many other karate styles lays not so much in form, but more in content. We don´t think of kiai and the tensing of muscles in the same way as most of the other karate styles. We believe that the body should be in a relaxed state; the body knows itself which muscles are needed. The way we think of e.g. oi-tsuki (straight lunge punch) is based mostly on the "classical" approach as interpreted by Harada Sensei and later partly on the effects on punching pads. When punching, we don´t tense our muscles at the point of contact but try to punch through the target somewhat. If a contact is not made, then there is a natural contracting of the muscles in order to stop the technique. The techniques are based on hips, this requires a solid but pliable stance in the basic technique.
Lähde ja lisätietoja suomeksi: Shoto Ry