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Kiai (Spirit Shout)
Kiai is a fundamental aspect of pretty much any martial art. Kiai literally means "Spirit Shout"
and is often labeled as the "hi-ya" of Karate. Kiai is a loud shout which should originate in your
belly. It's purpose is to help generate and unleash power (much like grunting when you pick
something heavy up), startle your opponent (if you have ever come face to face with a good
kiai, you can attest to this), and to toughen your body so if you fall or get hit the wind does not
get knocked out of you. There is more to a good kiai than a simple yell and it often takes years
to fully understand the power beauty of a good kiai.
Kime (focus)
Kime is the focus of all your efforts into a single split second. In other words, it's the
culmination of breathing, stance, hips, kiai, muscle tension, and technique all into the split
second of contact. Kime is the key to the strongest, most decisive, technique possible. This is
the hardest concept to teach and is something a student will slowly grasp through consistent
training.
Ma-ai (Distancing)
Distancing is (for obvious reasons) one of the most important aspects of winning a fight. You
have to know what your particular distancing is and you have to know how to keep your
opponent there. You can't kick someone who is six inches from you and you can't punch
someone who is three feet from you. On the other hand, ma-ai is the probably the most
important defensive aspect. If you stay out of an opponents range, there is no need to block.
Ma-ai is also extremely important in everyday training. To be effective, safe distancing must be
used in partner drills. Kihon kumite is a great way to become familiar with this.
Koshi (hips)
In Karate all of your power starts below the waist. A student must learn to use his/her hips to
have strong, fast technique. However, it can be a very difficult concept to grasp for some
people, and for others they pick up on it right away. Between counter rotation, rotation into
the technique, back and forth movement, as well as others, the use of koshi can seem like a
daunting task to master. When the concept is learned however, the power and speed of each
move will be like none you have previously experienced.
Kazushi (Balance)
Kazushi is the breaking of balance. If you manage to take you opponents balance, you have
put yourself in an advantageous position to strike while at the same time taking away his
ability to strike effectively. Kazushi is created in a number of ways from shifting your stance,
attacking the legs, a push or a pull in a certain direction, ect. Kazushi is key to practical
self-defense.
Mushin (No Mind)
Learning to block/counter and attack the moment an opening appears without thinking and
without hesitation is the pinnacle of martial training. This is what every Karate-ka should be
striving to obtain, thoughtless thought. This is only learned though building muscle memory and
constant training.
Kiai is a fundamental aspect of pretty much any martial art. Kiai literally means "Spirit Shout"
and is often labeled as the "hi-ya" of Karate. Kiai is a loud shout which should originate in your
belly. It's purpose is to help generate and unleash power (much like grunting when you pick
something heavy up), startle your opponent (if you have ever come face to face with a good
kiai, you can attest to this), and to toughen your body so if you fall or get hit the wind does not
get knocked out of you. There is more to a good kiai than a simple yell and it often takes years
to fully understand the power beauty of a good kiai.
Kime (focus)
Kime is the focus of all your efforts into a single split second. In other words, it's the
culmination of breathing, stance, hips, kiai, muscle tension, and technique all into the split
second of contact. Kime is the key to the strongest, most decisive, technique possible. This is
the hardest concept to teach and is something a student will slowly grasp through consistent
training.
Ma-ai (Distancing)
Distancing is (for obvious reasons) one of the most important aspects of winning a fight. You
have to know what your particular distancing is and you have to know how to keep your
opponent there. You can't kick someone who is six inches from you and you can't punch
someone who is three feet from you. On the other hand, ma-ai is the probably the most
important defensive aspect. If you stay out of an opponents range, there is no need to block.
Ma-ai is also extremely important in everyday training. To be effective, safe distancing must be
used in partner drills. Kihon kumite is a great way to become familiar with this.
Koshi (hips)
In Karate all of your power starts below the waist. A student must learn to use his/her hips to
have strong, fast technique. However, it can be a very difficult concept to grasp for some
people, and for others they pick up on it right away. Between counter rotation, rotation into
the technique, back and forth movement, as well as others, the use of koshi can seem like a
daunting task to master. When the concept is learned however, the power and speed of each
move will be like none you have previously experienced.
Kazushi (Balance)
Kazushi is the breaking of balance. If you manage to take you opponents balance, you have
put yourself in an advantageous position to strike while at the same time taking away his
ability to strike effectively. Kazushi is created in a number of ways from shifting your stance,
attacking the legs, a push or a pull in a certain direction, ect. Kazushi is key to practical
self-defense.
Mushin (No Mind)
Learning to block/counter and attack the moment an opening appears without thinking and
without hesitation is the pinnacle of martial training. This is what every Karate-ka should be
striving to obtain, thoughtless thought. This is only learned though building muscle memory and
constant training.
| Koketsu Dojo of Shotokan Karate |