I need some help identifying martial arts katas (forms)?

Question

I'm taking a "karate" class locally, and I would like to look up the forms/katas online for extra practice at home. The only problem is that it's hard to spell these foreign words, and I'm really not sure of the style of karate that we're considered to be. All I know is that the instructors call the first three forms Form 1, Form 2, Form 3. He calls the next six "pennums" or "penins"? Not really sure. The name he uses for the brown belt kata soulds like Saha (pronounced say-hah). The progression of the belts used to be white, blue, red, green, brown, and black, but is now white, yellow, blue, red, green, brown, and black. Hopefully this information helps someone identify the style and more helpfully, a website with videos for the forms for this style of the martial arts.

Thanks

In response to the answer below. I broke my hand and then caught mono (bedridden for 4 months), so I had to take an extended hiatus. Just need to get the forms to catch up to my current belt (green).

Answer 1

Pinan is an Okinawan word which means to feel secure... to have a peaceful demeanor... "peaceful mind", literally. They were developed mainly by Anko Itosu, who was one of the pioneers in the development of modern karate. He developed them because he was commissioned by the education system as a phys ed curriculum. Master Itosu developed them by extracting techniques from the more advanced kata.

Saiha, also Saifa, means "final breaking point" and is a Naha-Te form said to be derived from the Black Tiger style. This kata is founf in the Goju Ryu and To'on Ryu styles and was originally taught as a Naha-Te form by the Legendary "Fist Saint", Kanryo Higaonna, who was Chojun Miyagi's teacher.

The forms you are learning are very devastating in martial content.

Answer 2

You should ask the instructor. Different schools modify the katas, to fit their particular style, and it is best for testing to perform them exactly how they want them. they probably have them in printed form, but good luck getting any above the rank you are studying. they don't like you to skip ahead. This can be frustrating, but you should try to stick to your rank. That way any new techniques are learned the correct way.

Answer 3

It is spellled pinyan they are mini Katas of the Heions.

You can go to Youtube.com and type in your style and form number and that would help you cross reference it.

example I could type in Kenpo form 1 and it gives me pinyan 1 and a few others.

this may help you find what you are looking for.

Pinyans are short forms of the Heians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrxHgjizy08

this is one link of the first form.

I study Shotokan now but I once trained years in Kenpo and still remember much of it.

hope that helps you.

Answer 4

"Sensei" is spot on.

You should talk to your sensei and ask him the name of your style and its lineage. Even within oa single style there are different associations and splinter groups who do different kata. You wouldnt want to do the wrong kata. So get your style's specific information so that you can get the right information.

Answer 5

any type of martial arts have different forms. ask you instructor. or you could ask a higher ranked belt.