I am learning Basic Kata number 3 "Taikyoku Geydan" but I am get mixed up with which direction to go each time.

How do you remember which way to go and which arm to use each time?

I know this sounds basic and once I get it I will get it but I was just interested in finding out how you guys remember directions etc.

Hi Jane...

Well not knowing the kata makes it difficult but im sure there are people online here that are familiar with it....

I had a quick check online and found a site with pictorials of "taikyoku gedan 1"

looking at these it appears to be similar to our version of taikyoku shodan but using shikodachi instead of zenkutsudachi....

If so... the way i remembered it and the way i tend to teach it is that the leg that moves is the leg that finishes at the front... and is also the same side arm that executes the block or strike...

hope its accurate and helps...

Thanks Susan. What is the link to the site with the pictures please?

This kata is done in lowered stance using lower blocks and punches. It is also done on a 45 degree angle - hence my confusion in directions. Ugh.

Practice

Der.

All the Taigyoku kata folow the same pattern, you still block and punch with the same hands as Jodan and chudan just now you are in shiko datchi and blocking gedan barai and punching groin level.

Your instructor is the best person to ask for help and advice

Hi Jane...

there's no description but here's the pics....

Taikyoku Gedan

*me wonders where Rocket is when you need him...*

I can understand where you are coming from Jane, I find all kata's difficult to learn.

I remember learning Taikyoku Shodan when I first started, and thinking I will never get this, but one day it all seems to fall into place.

A wise person once told me the best way to learn a kata is to break it down into a smaller sequence of moves, and once you get the hang of that sequence, just keep adding onto the sequence. ( Right Mickles?)

Persistance is the key

Well, more or less. It depends on the person more than anything else. Some people you can feed a whole kata, for others you need to feed them a bit at a time or they choke on it. Kata chunks... not pretty


Mick

Well after much practice I seem to have got it down. And I also have the 4th Kata down too - woohoo.

It is amazing but now looking back I wonder how come I had any trouble.

And every one you learn now will get easier and easier.

Yes you are right. Each one gets easier. I have also learnt the 4th and 5th Kata. I am not so scared of them now.

Im not sure if anyone seen this website with video's of kata's from all sorts of different styles and syllebus of martial arts, I just thought I'd help for all the beginners out there!

http://www.gojuryu.ch/francais/shotokan.htm

actually I dont think Kata does get easier, tho I suppose just remembering the pattern does ( although I'm having problems with all the turns in seiunchin)When I was an orange belt I thought I did a pretty good 1st kata...now I just think I'm appalling....and even knowing what I am doing wrong doesn't make it work! I do worry that I'm tempted to just go on 'learning' more and more katas without perfecting any. Maybe I should be sticking with the six I "know" for now...... What do other people think?

I think it depends what you're learning them for. If your club just uses kata as a grading tool and for performance then you can learn as many as you like, or as few as you need provided you have time to practice and perfect your kata. But if you are using them for more than just performance art then I think fewer is better.


Mick