TRADITIONAL  SHOTOKAN
KARATE  FEDERATION

 On this page you will find:

1. A short history on Karate. (coming soon)
2. A description of Shotokan karate.
3. A description of self defense classes.
4. Where and When I teach karate.
5. Where and when I teach self defense classes.
6. How you can signup.

Shotokan karate-Do is a traditional Japanese martial art. It is a system of offensive and defensive techniques utilizing the various parts of the body as weapons and shields. The arms and legs are used for this purpose. The training is broken up into 3 categories:

1. Kihon:    Kihon is training without a partner (shadow boxing).
2. Kata:      Kata or form is a set of offensive and defensive movements executed as a set. There are over 50 Katas in Shotokan  karate. Most Karatekas practice about 25 or more katas. These may be broken up into the Taikiokos, Tekkis, Heians, and the advanced katas.

Taikioko Katas:
• Shodan
• Nidan
• Sandan
• Yondan (New Kata)


Heian Katas:

• Shodan
• Nidan
• Sandan
• Yondan
• Godan


Tekki Katas:

• Shodan
• Nidan
• Sandan

Advanced Katas:
• Basaidai
• Kankudai
• Kankusho
• Basaisho
• Hangetsu
• Sochin
• Meikio
• Gankaku
• Chinte
• Jion
• Empi
• Nijoshiho
• Jitte
• Unsu
• and many more.....

• Sanbon kumite is 3 step sparring.
• Ippon kumite is 1 step sparring.
• Jio ippon kumite is semi free 1 step sparring.
• Slow motion Kumite is full sparring but is executed in slow motion just so the participants can practice karate combinations without hesitation.
• Kumite is full sparring, meaning its an all out sparring, utilizing only karate techniques, however ikken hisatsu is applied which means applying the full force of the technique, but with the Kime (focus) finishing about an inch away from the intended target.

The word 'Shotokan' is composed of 2 words. 'Shoto' means pine breaze. 'kan' means a place. Thus Shotokan means the place of Shoto. Shotokan was the pen name of the founder of Shotokan, Gichin Funakoshi as he was a poet as well.

Self defense classes are geared to women. Classes begin and end with warm ups. I will demonstrate a technique, then the students will practice the technique and then they will be paired up to apply the technique. The student will practice various escapes from holds on arms, neck, and torso. Escape from rape situations will be covered. Each set of techniques will end with a terminal strike so the attacker is incapacitated. Also, I will cover tips on how to use everyday carrying items such as car keys, umbrella, ... as weapons. I shall also give safety advice.

The classes are ongoing.
Each session lasts 11 weeks.
It is best to sign up for 2 classes a week.
Beginners and seasoned can join any time.

Location:
Wakefield Recreation Center
8100 Braddock Road
Annandale, Virginia

Direction:
From 495, exit to Braddock Road West,
right at the 1st traffic light, drive until the parking
lot on left, at the end of the driveway.

Time:
Thursdays, 7-8 pm & Sundays 11 am-Noon.

This is a new kata that I created because I saw the need for the beginners to practice their basic kicks.
The Embusen (line of kata) is the same as Taikioko shodan or the 'H' turned 90 degrees.

1. From Shizentai (ready posture), Rei (bow), and announce 'Taikioko Yondan'.
2. Yoi (ready posture.) Stand with arms to your sides, fists clenched, and feet about a shoulder apart. The stance is Hachichi dachi.
3. Turn left 90 degrees, stepping into Zenkutsu dachi (front foot stance) with left foot forward and execute Gedan Barai (downward block).
4. Step in Zenkutsu dachi, and do Mae geri (front snap kick).
5. Turn right, 180 degrees, into Zenkutsu dachi and execute Gedan barai.
6. Stepping in, execute Mae geri and finish in Zenkutsu dachi.
7. Turn 90 Degrees to the left and execute Gedan barai in Zenkutsu dachi.
8. Step in Mae geri 3 times, finishing each kick in Zenkutsu dachi and Kiai (Loud 'Ai' sound) on the 3rd count. The 2nd and 3rd kicks must be executed without waiting in between techniques.
9. Turn 270 degrees to the right, moving your back leg, execute Gedan barai, finishing in Zenkutsu dachi.
10. Stepping in, execute Mawashi geri (round house kick) and finish in Zenkutsu dachi.
11. Turning to the right at 180 degrees, execute a Gedan barai and finish in Zenkutsu dachi.
12. Stepping in, execute Mawashi geri and finish in Zenkutsu dachi.
13. Turn 90 Degrees to the left and execute Gedan barai in Zenkutsu dachi.
14. Step in Mawashi geri 3 times, finishing each kick in Zenkutsu dachi and Kiai on the 3rd count. The 2nd and 3rd kicks must be executed without waiting in between techniques.
15. Turn 270 degrees to the right, moving your back leg, execute Shuto uchi uke (Knife hand block) with left arm, and right arm finishing in Shuto (knife hand) under your sternom, palms up. The stance is Kokutsu dachi (back stance).
16. Stepping into Zenkutsu dachi at 45 degree angle (towards where you started the kata), execute a Jodan Shuto uchi uchi (face level inside out knife hand strike) with the right arm.
17. Turning to the right about 135 degrees, execute Shuto uchi uke with right arm, and left arm finishing in Shuto under your sternom, palms up. The stance is Kokutsu dachi .
18. Stepping into Zenkutsu dachi at 45 degree angle (towards where you started the kata), execute a Jodan Shuto uchi uchi with the left arm.
19. Turn 45 degrees to the left and stand up, stepping back (Yame) in Hachichi dachi.
20. Rei. End of kata.