Karate kata system of correct posture, fighting stance and body movement must be performed as a rhythmic and organic unit.

Karate kata of correct posture, fighting stance and body movement is an integral part of any karate art that you will be trained in a martial art school. Karate kata is also a balance of upper and lower body defensive techniques with cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training. Its correct posture, fighting stance and body movement exercises improve mental and physical well being.

Correct Posture

Karate kata of correct posture - basically there are three kata of postures and it requires the body be straight and perpendicular to the ground for a solid balance.

• The front-facing posture is mainly used in attack and the shoulders are at ninety degrees to the line of attack.
• The half-front-facing posture is mainly used in defense and the shoulders are at forty-five degrees to the opponent's line of attack.
• The side-facing posture in which the shoulders are in line with or parallel with the line of attack is used both in attack and defense.

Fighting Stance

Karate kata of fighting stance: the different kata of stance used is the outcome of two considerations - one for strength and the other for agility. The actual ratio of these factors varies with different stance.

• Kata heisoku-dachi - attention stance: stand naturally with the feet together and the weight evenly balanced on both feet.
   
• Kata hachiji-dachi - open leg stance: same as the above, but with the feet about a shoulders' width apart. This and the preceding stance are simply natural stance from which you can move with maximum smoothness into stance appropriate to actual karate techniques.
   
• Kata zenkutsu-dachi - forward stance: this stance is very strong toward the front. It is useful both in attacking and blocking attacks to and coming from the front.
  
  Step forward with one foot about two shoulders' widths and about thirty degrees diagonally to the side. Keep the back leg straight and bend the front leg, forcing the knee outward directly over the big toe. Both feet should be flat and the front foot pointing slightly inward. In this stance the front leg takes sixty per cent of the body weight.
   
• Kata kokutsu-dachi - back stance: a very useful characteristic of this stance is that, after having stepping back and blocking or avoiding an attack, a mere shift of body weight into the forward stance enables you to be close with your opponent and counter-attack immediately. Also, as most of the body weight is transferred to the back foot and leaving the front foot free for kicking.
  
  The legs are about two shoulders' widths apart. A line extended to the rear from the front foot should touch the heel of the back foot, and this later should be at a right angle with the line. The rear leg takes seventy per cent of the body weight, should be deeply bent and forced outwards. The front leg should be slightly bent to withstand a kick to the knee.
   
• Kata kiba-dachi – straddle stance: this stance is used when attacking or defending to the side.
  
  The feet should be two shoulders' widths apart and the feet should be turned a little inwards with the knees forced outwards, so that the legs are rather like a bows under tension. This involves a screwing tendency of the feet into the floor which is essential for the stability of the stance. It is equally important that the knees should be bent deeply, thus keeping the centre of gravity low. The weight of the body is carried evenly on both legs.
   
• Kata sanchin-dachi - diagonal straddle stance: should be equally strong to the sides and to the front for blocking attacks.
  
  As in the straddle stance, the knees must be tensed outwards, the front knee over the big toe and the rear knee a little in front of the big toe. The body weight is again carried evenly on both legs.
   
• Kata neko-ashi-dachi - cat stance: the front leg carries hardly any of the body weight and so it can easily be used for kicking. Another great advantage of this stance is that it can easily and quickly move into any other stance - whether to the front, back or to one side.
  
  The back should be absolutely straight. Keep the rear foot flat and raise the heel of the front foot, the knee pointing a little inwards. The rear knee should be well bent.

Body Movement

Karate kata of body movement can be achieved by stepping, sliding, turning, or by any combination of these basic elements. The following general rules apply to all kata of body movement at the same time maintain a strong balance:

• You should neither raise your feet very high from the floor nor drag them.
• The weight of your body must always be move smoothly.
• Begin and end every movement in a strong, correctly-spaced stance, and maintain correct posture throughout the movement.

All the karate kata of correct posture, fighting stance and body movement must be well synchronize and coordinated. That you are able to blocks any attacks, while at the same time maintain a strong balance and able to move in swiftly to counterattacks.

Page topic – karate kata