Learning a New Kata By Steve Bodnar, 2nd Kyu You have been working hard and improving your karate skills. So, as a reward, your sensei teaches you a new kata. One of the most exciting parts of karate class is receiving new technology. At the next class, your enthusiasm quickly turns to despair as you realize you have difficulty remembering any of the stances, blocks, or strikes in the new kata. What could you have done to improve the changes that you will remember the kata? Note: keep in mind - we are not talking about mastering the form - but simply 'walking through the techniques'. First, pay attention to your sensei as the kata is being taught. Focus on the overall components. This is: What stance you are in? Which foot is forward? Do you turn left-to-right or right-to-left? Next when you get home from class, run through the kata. Take notes, draw pictures, put down as much detail as you can remember. Unless you have a photographic memory, you will probably have 'holes' or areas where you can't remember how to get from step 7 to step 9. Don't worry about it! When you get a chance, practice the pieces of the kata that you do remember. The next time you are given the opportunity to work the kata in class, you will fill in all or most of the holes - because you have learned 'around the holes' and you can focus on filling in the gaps. Now, when you get home from class, take the notes you scribed from your first session and make any corrections or adjustments. Also add in any new details and fill in the holes. After 2 or 3 sessions of kata practice, you should have the knowledge necessary to begin to earnestly 'work the kata'.