Shotokan Karate Classes Online

In this quick 15 minute shotokan karate follow along class, Sensei Huckle works on the karate flow, using three punches.

Along with the three punches we add a shuffle, tsugi ashi (back foot steps up, then front foot steps forward).

Starting from a left leg in front fighting stance, the full combination is ~

1. Gyaku zuki (reverse punch) on the spot with the right arm.

2. Back leg steps up to the front leg. As the back leg meets the front leg, punch kizami zuki (lead arm punch) with the left arm.

3. Step forward with the front leg, land and punch gyaku zuki (reverse punch) with the right arm.

Shotokan Karate Classes

The Karate Flow

The karate flow is a very important part of Shotokan karate practice.

Trying not to be robotic is very difficult because we are also trying to use kime on every technique.

Many shotokan practisioners are robotic in their movement and most of the time, it is down to holding to much tension in the muscles.

Kime in basic terms is relax-tense-relax and while this is good training, kime is way more than just muscle tension.

Try a relax the muscles as you move, only tensing for a split second on completion of the technique, then completely relax, but keep kamae.

Many karateka either move very robotic, or they flow with no power in their techniques.

Watching someone like Mikio Yahara Sensei is how i believe it should be, Yahara Sensei flows and has incredible focus on every technique, very few karateka reach this level.

Watching Yahara Sensei perform a kata to me, is like poetry in motion, with the added ingredient of deadly karate techniques.

Shotokan Karate Classes

Make sure you are warmed up and have stretched before attempting this 15 Minute shotokan karate follow along class.