Japanese |
English |
How to Do |
Sekin |
Fist. |
A fist is formed by tightly curling the fingers inward and
securing them with the thumb. You can also leave the index finger pointing
downward, but that is optional. |
Shuto |
Sword hand/spear hand. |
This is formed by opening the hand, pulling all
fingers together tightly, then slightly bending each finger. |
Dachi |
Stance. |
See Follows: |
Zenkutsu Dachi |
Front stance. |
In this stance, the front foot is pointed foward,
and the knee is bent so that the toes are not visible, with 60-70% of weight
on it. The back leg is straight, not locked, and the foot is pointed inward
45 degrees. The hips and shoulders are square, and the body faces foward. |
Kokutsu Dachi |
Back stance. |
This is arguably the most difficult stance in Okinawan
Karate. The front foot is pointed foward, the front knee is straight but not
locked, and it has 30-40% of weight on it. The back foot is pointed as close to
45 degrees inward possible while still keeping the knee pointed at 90
degrees. The hips and shoulders are square, and the body faces foward. |
Fudo Dachi |
Diagonal Horse/Immovable Stance |
This stance has the front foot pointed 45 degrees inward and the
back foot pointed at 90 degrees. The knees are evenly bent, with equal weight
distribution. The hips and shoulders point off in the same direction as
the front foot. |
Kiba Dachi |
Horse Riding Stance |
This stance entails both feet out at sides facing foward, with knees
evenly bent with equal weight distribution. The hips are tucked in (no
poofy butts!) and the hips and shoulders are square. The body faces foward. |