Atemi – Kata / Strikes / Blocks / Kicks

TECHNIQUE OVERVIEW

ATEMI

What is Atemi?

Atemi waza are striking, blocking and positioning techniques that are taught to Shoshin Ryu practitioners to effectively defend or attack from all directions and at all ranges.

Categories of atemi include:

  1. stances
  2. strikes (open hand / elbow / fist / head / knee)
  3. blocks
  4. kicks

Kihon waza (moving basics) helps student move from one atemi technique to another with power, speed and accuracy. These moving basics are put into practice in kata (forms) which is the traditional way of incorporating breath, vision, and efficient use of energy.

Kihon waza are also expressed through Goshinjutsu (self defense techniques) as students learn how to move and deliver atemi waza accurately and powerfully in a self defense scenario.

The essential aspect of atemi waza is kime (focus). Shoshin Ryu students learn to focus their energy on specific targets so they can maximize damage to an attacker.