To get a complete training program and truly benefit from the practice of karate, we recommend taking both Kata and Fighting Technique classes. Once students have acquired basic techniques and reached the intermediate level, they can add Weapon Kata classes to their schedule.

Kata Classes

A kata form is a pre-established sequence of stances, kicks, punches and blocks that simulates a fight. Students learn and memorize kata forms of increasing difficulty as they progress through belt levels. Through repetition, kata training develops strength and builds key reflexes that are extremely effective in perfecting your karate technique.

Even though each kata class is adapted to the level of the participating students, all training sessions follow a similar pattern.

Basic stances: to insure effectiveness of punches and kicks and develop strength, speed and mobility.

Punching and blocking techniques: to maximize effect, using whole body power.

Kicking techniques: to improve power, balance and flexibility.

Kata practice: to combine all the above techniques into a simulated fight as effective and realistic as possible.

Weapon Kata Classes

Weapon training is for intermediate and advanced students. Techniques using four traditional Japanese weapons provide an added challenge while performing kicks, blocks, punches and stances already learned in basic kata training. Specific classes are offered in which students learn all Weapon Kata using successively each one of the four weapons.

The origins of these weapons go back to Japanese peasant farmers who at one time were not allowed to arm themselves. Thus, they created weapons and fighting techniques using their everyday farm implements.

Bo: a six foot long wooden staff that was used by peasant farmers to carry water buckets, one on each end. In Bo kata, the staff is successively used to strike, block, spike and push back the (fictive) opponent.

Tonfa: a thick wooden stick with a small handle used by Japanese farmers as the handle on their rice flour mill. All Tonfa kata require two Tonfa, one in each hand. These kata forms are combinations of strikes to the head and temple as well as blocking and stabbing techniques.

Nunchaku: the Nunchaku originates from a simple tool used to harvest rice. It is made of two sticks joined by a string of leather or rope. In modern days, the wooden Nunchaku is considered an illegal weapon in many jurisdictions. In most of our schools, students use a foam or rubber version of the Nunchaku.

Sai: a three-pronged knife. All Sai Kata require a pair of Sai, one in each hand, and are only performed by Black Belt karateka.

Fighting Technique Classes

Fighting technique classes usually begin with a vigorous aerobic warm-up of kicking and punching combinations. Then, instructors propose various interval training sessions (with or without protective pads) that are adapted to the level of experience of the participating students. This type of training is excellent to build reflexes, stamina and endurance. It also allows instructors to guide students and correct their technique.

Fighting classes often end with a session of light sparring. At World Kanreikai Karate, we never push students to do sparring against their will. Our instructors respect each student’s progression and always keep a close watch during sparring.