Here’s what the Hombu is teaching this month.
It’s important to remember that the lessons linked to below are only a starting point, and that there is so much more great learning content to explore from all of our instructors.
January and July
Level 1
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“Ko-yoku” Earth grounded hand-edge inside hook punch, knock-back strike
Principle: Structure can overcome power. Use bone alignment – not joint and muscle tension
- Off-The-Shoulder Punch Attack by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
- Defense Against Off-The-Shoulder Punch by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
- Details: Off-The-Shoulder Punch Defense by Shane Raitoshi Stevens
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“Backward Boulder Roller” Backward rocking or rolling escape on ground
- Backward Roll by James Kentoshi Norris
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“Ryo-te Gake” Escape from 2-hand throat choke “Pull apart, go up the center!”
Principle: Vectoring – glancing blows from angle position – redirects straight forward power
- Two-Hand Crushing Choke by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
- Two-Hand Choke Defense by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
- Details: Two-Handed Choke Defense by Shane Raitoshi Stevens
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Sideways rolling escape (soku-ho kai-ten ukemi)
- Sideways Roll by James Kentoshi Norris
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“Forward Boulder Roller” Forward shoulder roll-over escape on ground
- Forward Roll by James Kentoshi Norris
Level 2
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“Water” outward rolling defensive strike to incoming punch
Principle: Move inside to match his centerline to dissipate his power
- Water Strategic Cross-Punch Defense by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
- Details: Water Cross-Punch Defense by Shane Raitoshi Stevens
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“Water” punch-deflecting defense on ground –shadowboxing and with partner
Principle: Move inside to match his centerline to dissipate his power
- Grounded Punching Attack Defense by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
- Grounded Punch Barrage Details by Shane Raitoshi Stevens
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“Backward Boulder Roller” Backward rocking or rolling escape on ground
- Backward Roll by James Kentoshi Norris
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Defense against headlock attack wrestling you alongside aggressor’s body
Principle: Move your center of gravity towards his to negate his power over you
- Sideways Headlock Escape by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
- How to Escape Sideways Headlock by Shane Raitoshi Stevens
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Sideways rolling escape (soku-ho kai-ten ukemi)
- Sideways Roll by James Kentoshi Norris
Level 3
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Wind evasive strike defense inside heavy hook punch
- Wind Inside a Cross by An-shu Rumiko Hayes
- Details: Wind Inside a Cross by Shane Raitoshi Stevens
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Reach under elbow and flatten arm for rear shoulder lock (mu-so dori)
- Mu-so Dori Kata by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
- Details of Mu-so Dori Kata by Shane Raitoshi Stevens
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Elbow-lock defense against downward-swing club attack (oni kudaki)
- Oni-Kudaki Dori Kata by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
- Details for Oni-Kudaki Dori Kata by Shane Raitoshi Stevens
Level 4
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Ko-Yoku Kata
- Ko-Yoku Black Belt Kata by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes
- Explanation of Ko-Yoku by Shane Raitoshi Stevens