Vocabulary Words

Stance

Blending, harmony in movement

(Martial Way) Originally referring to The Martial Way; a warrior's way of life devoted to self-development. Now, more commonly used in reference to particular combative systems

(Martial Art) The Classical methods of fighting as developed by Japanese warriors (Samurai) for the sole purpose of real combat.

(Martial Art) The Classical methods of fighting as developed by Japanese warriors (Samurai) for the sole purpose of real combat.

(The Way of the Warrior) The martial ethic developed among warriors in Japan's medieval and feudal periods. Derived from the practical ethics held in common by the Samurai class, stressing the importance of loyalty, bravery, integrity, respect and honor.

Degree, level or grade. Commonly used as a suffix following the numbered rank of a Black Belt (Yon Dan)

(Way) From the Chinese, Tao, meaning Way or Path. A term used to describe a path one uses to seek or achieve spiritual enlightenment. (Wa-do, Ai-ki-do, Jo-do).

(Way Place) A hall or place in which one seeks spiritual enlightenment. Usually used in reference to traditional martial arts training halls or schools.

More formally termed, Do Gi -- the term given to the uniform worn by practitioners of traditional Japanese martial arts.

Master Instructor.

Suppleness, flexibility. (Also, the number 10)

Ready position of the hands.

Empty hand.

A formal, prearranged set of prescribed movement

From the Chinese, Chi -- the term used to describe the life force present and flowing in all living things. Energy.

Block, or, defend(er). Also, receiver (of energy, or ki)

Sound made with executing techniques

Basic, elementary

Focus; mental, physical or spiritual.

Junior, or lower ranking student.

(Sometimes termed, gumite) - Free fighting, or sparring

An advanced teacher.

A Great Master.

License or certificate.

Meditation

Martial arts term used to define all students under the rank of Yudansha (Black Belt).

(Mind-no-mind) - The term used to describe the state of pure consciousness unburdened by thought.

Sash or belt.

Literally means peace

To bow.

League, union, alliance

(Current, flow, style) -- usually used in reference to particular schools or styles of classical martial arts.

A term used as an honorific suffix following someone's name, denoting respect.

Senior student.

One-ness of movement (usually implied in training with one or more partners).

Harmony. The classical concept of non-resistance.

The Way of Peace and Harmony. The formal name given to the style of karate fathered by Meijin Hironori Ohtsuka.

Technique

Black Belt student.

(or, yudansha) - A Black Belt student who is a member of a larger group of Yudan.

The state of pure and heightened mental, physical and spiritual awareness.

One of the major branches of Mahayana Bhuddism that arose in China and flourished following its introduction there in the 13th century.

Instructor

Generally means one

Dues

Attacker

The position of the back hand when doing formal techniques

Attention stance

Forward fighting stance

Reverse-punch stance

Lunging reverse-punch stance

Cat leg stance

Profile (or half-view) cat-leg stance

Narrow stance (heels and toes together)

Natural stance

Modified horse stance (feet turned inward)

Same as Kiba Dachi but the feet are turned out 45 degrees

Ready Stance. Feet apart

Front snap kick

Roundhouse kick

Side kick (striking surface: ashi sokuto, or, knife-edge of the foot)

Inward crescent kick (striking surface: usually the instep-to-pad of the foot)

Flying front kick (usually executed with kekome-thrust-)

Back, or, rearward kick (striking surface: heel of the foot)

Stomping kick (Usually executed as gedan yoko geri)

Knee strike

Knee high side kick

Low block

Inside-to-outside block

High block

Knife-edge of the hand block

Hammer-fist block

Circular, pulling block, emphasizing the shote, or heel of the hand

Roundhouse block

Two handed block

The position where one arm is in front of the chest bent 90 degrees at the elbow and the other hand is hikite

Fist strike, punch

Stepping front-hand punch

Stepping front-hand lunging punch

Reverse punch

Lunging reverse, or back-hand punch

Back-fist

Knife-edge of the hand

Hammer-fist

Vertical-fist (or vertical-hand)

Palm-heel of the hand

spear-hand

Open, back of the hand strike

Ridge-hand

Elbow strike

Four fingertip strike

One-knuckle fist

Lower area of the body from the hips down

(Middle) Mid- area of the body from the waist to the shoulders

(High) Upper area of the body from the neck up

Foot (also, leg)

Hips

Knee

hand

Elbow

Eye

Fist

Line up (traditionally, right to left, by rank)

Sit traditionally, in the zazen, or, kneeling position

Open to 'ready' position (usually from musubi dachi to hachiji dachi)

Standing Bow

Bow

Begin, start

Bow to the front (of the dojo)

Bow to the instructor

Bow to Black Belts

Bow to the senior student or students

Bow to your fellow classmates

Attention ("..Pay attention")

Stand Quickly

Recover to attention stance -- prepare to bow

Recover, return (Usually, to hachiji dachi)

Stop

Turn Around

Kneel

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