The Karate Road to Power

Karate instructor Russell Kozuki invites you to join thousands on the karate road to power—and to the muscular fluidity, physical agility, and alertness that guarantee your safety in any situation. For new and advanced students alike, this invaluable guide penetrates more deeply into the techniques, spirit, and ideals of karate than other books. The 450 explicit step-by-step photographs and 150 diagrams of consecutive foot movements enable even a beginner to practice and execute the fundamental body movements and "katas"—the predetermined forms of attack and defense essential to the sport. Eventually the "karaketa"— karate student—will achieve the impeccable muscular coordination and vitality that produce movements of blinding speed and flawless timing. Each step of karate is thoroughly explained and fully illustrated : breathing and posture punches—how to form a karate fist; fore-fist punching exercises ; reverse and "U" punch strikes—knifehand ; spear hand ; ridge hand ; palm heel ; fist hammer blocks—high, inside, and low blocks ; outside forearm, knifehand, and "X" blocks kicks—front snap ; front thrust; side; roundhouse; rear ; crescent; rear stamping body shifts—forward stance ; side-stepping ; forward-stepping; pivoting; back stance five basic katas—Heian Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yodan, Godan one black belt kata—bassai-dai basic sparring and semi-free-style sparring techniques.