Free Sample Tutorial
This free, five minute sample demonstrates the quality of instruction you will receive from this in-depth course on one of Wado-Ryu Karate's most important Katas.
This three-part course contains over six hours of world-class, detailed instruction!
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1. Fundamentals
Basics or fundamentals are the gateways to advanced movement. Without the correct form and shape, it is impossible to go any further than simply learning the order of the Kata.
This module focuses on refreshing the basics such as formulating the stance, the correct position for the knees, using the legs, hips, and torso, and correctly forming the strikes and parries.
Key study points include:
- How to measure out the stance
- Footwork and how to step correctly
- Alignment of the feet, knees, and hips
- Angles of attack
- Applications for real combat
2. Beyond the External
Naihanchi is an elusive Kata and challenging to practice if you are unsure about the hidden lessons of the Kata. Without the proper detailed knowledge, it can be tedious and seem pointless.
Beyond the outward shape and form of the Kata are the inner workings of muscular and skeletal power. You will learn how the repetitive practices of correct muscular activation brings the hidden benefits of the Kata.
Key study points include:
- Generation of speed and power
- How to use gravity
- Using the Hara
- Energy containment and muscular balance
- Torsion, focus, and energy release
3. How to Practice
For practitioners who have been training Naihanchi for years, it is easy to think that you have learned all there is to know about the Kata, and fail to see the actual training benefits.
To get the most from practicing this intriguing form, you must look at it from the viewpoint of its origins while applying those principles using modern training methods.
Key study points include:
- How to practice from the ground up
- How to practice from the inside out
- Taking the Kata apart and putting it together again
- Using training aids such as weights and resistance bands
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Eliminate the Frustration of
Repeated Mistakes,
and Useless Movements!
The traditional Japanese Karate teachers taught their students to copy their technique – a practice called Maneru (真似る, まねる). You were expected to "discover" the inner workings of techniques yourself through Tanren (鍛錬), meaning hard, disciplined daily training.
This can be frustrating, hard on your body, and often seem pointless because the truth of why techniques are performed in a certain way was not taught to you.
In this course you will learn critical aspects of the Kata, and new practice methods that will give you fresh insights into the true value of Naihanchi Kata training. This training is 10 times better – and safer – than boring repetitions of the Kata.
About Sensei Pardue
"Throughout my life, I've trained with some of the world’s most renowned masters of Japanese Karate and Jiujitsu. Yoshihiko Iwasaki, Masafumi Shiomitsu and Tatsuo Suzuki were huge influences in my life. In particular, Master Shiomitsu who inspired me to follow my path with courage and determination.
I was a quiet, somewhat shy, un-athletic teenager. But I pushed myself to compete in Karate tournaments despite my fear and anxiety. Karate tournaments in those days were not the controlled game they are today. You stood an excellent chance of breaking an arm or even losing your teeth. The training at the Dojo leading up to a tournament was even worse. The fighting was bare-knuckle, bloody and brutal."
Qualifications and Achievements
• Irish National AIKW Kumite and Kata Champion 1982, ’84, ’85, ’92
• Federation European Karate-Do Wado-Kai European Champion 2000, 2002
• Certified Wado-Ryu Karate Instructor since 1982
• Chief Instructor of the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy in America since 2003.
• Meditation and mindfulness practitioner and teacher since 1978
• BA Shiatsu and Chinese Medicine practitioner
• Sotai–Japanese therapeutic stretching practitioner
• Personal Coaching
What Dedicated
Wado Black-Belts Have to Say
"My compliments to Sensei Tyrone Pardue on his work to preserve and spread Wado-Ryu Karate's teachings. His live courses on Zoom are excellent. His past courses on Chinto and Seishan were fantastic, and I anticipate that his next course on the important kata Naihanchi will be a suitable adjunct to the previous clinics."
Sensei Alex Waith, 7th Dan, Chief Instructor, Canadian Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Federation, Toronto, Canada
"Tyrone Sensei’s classes are very well structured and rich in technical detail! His classes and courses are not only excellent for clear explanations of technique but also for the cultural and historical background!"
Mayumi Sumida, 2nd Dan, Wado Academy Paris, France
"Sensei Tyrone Pardue is the most knowledgeable, insightful, and creative Wado instructor I have trained with. Tyrone has the extremely rare capacity to see a martial artist where they are and guide them deeper into their practice so that it becomes more productive and, just as important, more pleasurable."
Sensei Greg Rubinson 4th Dan, Instructor, Westchester Wado Academy, Los Angeles, California
"Online training with Sensei Pardue has been a fantastic expansion to my Karate knowledge. Key concepts underpinning a Wado stylist’s movement are explained and unpacked with detail and clarity. Excellent in-depth training."
Sensei Matthew Wood, 3rd Dan Instructor, Walton Wado Karate Club, UK
"The depth of knowledge Sensei Tyrone shares concerning body mechanics is insightful and has really helped my approach to practice, I'm especially grateful for some little tweaks to help protect the joints. The supplementary resistance training that accompanied the courses is very well thought out and hugely beneficial."
Andy Vine, 1st Dan, Instructor Faversham Wado Karate Club, UK
Origins of Naihanchi
No one knows who created the original Chinese Kata called Nihanchi Sho - a Chuan-Fa form whose origins are lost in the mists of time. But we do know that the modern versions of Naihanchi were brought to mainstream Okinawan Karate by Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura around 1825. He taught it to Yusutsune Itosu (1830-1915), who then taught it to Kenwa Mabuni, Gichin Funakoshi, and notably–Choki Motobu who taught it to Hironori Ohtsuka, the founder of Wado-Ryu.
The meaning of the name is often said to be "fighting sideways," but if you go back to the original Chinese roots of the Kata you get closer to the real meaning. 'Nai' means "inner" or "inside" and refers to controlling inner power, and fighting inside. 'Fan' means a clawed foot of a particular animal and probably refers to how the feet are slightly turned inwards and how they dig into the ground. 'Chi' means both a physical foundation and inner energy (Ki in Japanese).
Naihanchi is one of the most important (possibly the most important) Katas in Wado-Ryu. Grandmaster Ohtsuka says in his book:
"I favor Naihanchi. It is not interesting to the eye, but it is challenging to use. Naihanchi increases in difficulty with more time spent practicing it. However, there is something "deep" about it. It is fundamental to any movement that requires reaction, I believe. Some people may call me foolish for my belief. I, however, prefer this over all else, and hence I incorporate it into my movement."
Naihanchi is a fundamental requirement for all Wado-Ryu instructors and Kata competitors.
About the Warrior Zen Karate Academy
We aren't a federation or an association, we are an open, online Dojo dedicated to teaching authentic practices to bring benefits to both Senseis and their students.
We are non-political and believe that knowledge should be shared with anyone that has a genuine interest in self-improvement, providing quality teaching to their own students and the preservation of authentic martial arts and meditation practices.
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