08/08/2025
August Practice Ideas
Feel free to do everything on the list in one practice session, or split the activities up across days. But the more you practice these things now the easier it will be to jump back into classes again in the fall!
Novice 1
- Number game (just like how we warm up for every class, you can choose numbers yourself or ask someone if they will help by calling out random numbers 1-6)
- Set a timer and sit in front stance for 30 seconds, remember to keep that front knee bent and belt/tummy facing forward
- Once 30 seconds gets to be too easy, try 45 seconds, then a minute! Tell me what your record was when I see you again in the fall!
- Quiz yourself on Oyo Tan Ren and Fukyugata I! How many movements can you remember on your own? Check out the videos on my youtube if you get stuck.
Novice 2
- Number game (just like how we warm up for every class, you can choose numbers yourself or ask someone if they will help by calling out random numbers 1-6)
- Set a timer and sit in cat stance for 30 seconds, remember you can use a wall to practice shifting your weight back
- Once 30 seconds gets to be too easy, try 45 seconds, then a minute! Tell me what your record was when I see you again in the fall!
- Try this with other stances too: square and front
- Oyo Tan Ren, Fukyugata I (red belts) Fukyugata II
- Yellow/Orange belts need to know all three!
Junior 1 & 2
- Oyo Tan Ren, Fukyugata I, Fukyugata II, Pinan Nidan
- Run through these katas multiple times each
- Slow focusing on the corrections that have been made on technique, covers, and stances
- Fast focusing on speed of the movements
- Finally focusing on power, notice how speed and power go hand in hand
- Set a timer and sit in cat stance for 30 seconds, remember you can use a wall to practice shifting your weight back
- Once 30 seconds gets to be too easy, try 45 seconds, then a minute! Tell me what your record was when I see you again in the fall!
- Try this with other stances too: square and front
- kicks focusing on control and foot form (top of foot, toe, ball of foot, side, roundhouse) put your hand on a wall or chair so you can keep your balance while going slower to practice control, not looking for power here
Adult and Black Belt Club
- high katas and review of all katas for black belt candidates (being mindful of body mechanics, relaxing in between movements, and exploding into the next ones)
- Stances (cat, square, front), these are great to practice to strengthen that muscle memory and do not require much space at all!
- kicks focusing on control, foot form, and height (top of foot, toe, ball of foot, side, roundhouse, crescent, hook)
- Practice kicking over a chair or couch to give yourself height goals (must demonstrate control with these so you don’t hurt yourself)
- black belt candidates, start considering topics you would like to focus on for black belt papers/projects
I look forward to classes resuming in September! Reminder that we will be returning to Saturdays throughout the school year. Stay tuned for registration details, and please reach out with any questions
