All 19 Shotokan Kata in a Morning

Recently posted:  All 19 Shotokan kata and kumite yesterday morning followed by an evening of Salsa and Bachata in Westlake. I'm feeling it today! Some learnings: Taikyoku Sandan has an interesting feel that should not be overlooked. The order of movements in Ten No Kata has value. Dance and karate are complementary!

This exercise of doing all 19 kata began as a proposal from one of my training partners who expressed an interest in determining the authentic ordering of the Shotokan katas and executing them in that proper order to further our understanding of founder Master Funakoshi's intentions.  What we discovered was that there are actually 3 different orderings in different parts of that master text Karate-Do Kyohan.  We are currently following the first one listed in the introduction text.   Although many learnings defy verbal description and require honest practice to experience, let me make a few comments.   The Ten No Kata reference above refers to the order sequence of the techniques and combinations.  What was felt is that sequence itself has value -- and Master Funakoshi intended it that way -- it is not random in design.  Regarding Taikyoku Sandan:  there is something special about the alternating middle and high level punches following the ude uke from back stance that generates a unique feeling.  The complementary nature of dance and karate can be felt in the connection with the partner/opponent and the improvisational spontaneity of flowing movement.