Seinchin Kata

I first learned of Seinchin Kata, while studying Goju Ryu, as taught by Mike Eaves of Santa Barbara. It is the perfect kata for understanding the meaning of Goju ryu...the "hard-soft" style. Not only are there crisp movements with hard breathing in sanshin stance, but the double hand movements, 45 degree angles, the open hand blocks, soft breathing in one legged stances all demonstrate many "soft" concepts. This kata cannot be mastered from this video or by merely reading a book or having a "map."
To truly understand the value of this kata, you should learn from a skill instructor.

Tensho kata

Here is an example of a Five Birds Martial Arts training device, the Goju Kata Maps. The maps are utilized for students who "have already begun learning a kata." They are intended to help a student "remember what the teacher said." Each kata begins from a point of easy access, a visual concept that is "pictured" as the track of the movements. When a student sees that the katas are trying to teach concepts, in relation to one another (and not stagnant and separate movements or ideas) then they are on their way to true learning.

USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame

I attended an awards banquet at the Crowne Plaza in Los Angeles on Saturday, covering the event for Black Belt Magazine. Along with the other nominees, Frank Dux received a special award from the Hall of Heroes. It was a very moving awards banquet, with luminaries such as Bill "Superfoot" Wallace in attendance. You will be able to read my full report in a coming issue of Black Belt Magazine.

(l) Dr. Jim Thomas, (c) Bill Wallace, (r) Frank Dux