Learn Saifa Kata for Goju Ryu: Sequence

We're back with our 5th Saifa video! We'll walk you step by step through the kata, point out common errors, and how to fix them. Whether you're just starting to learn Saifa kata, or trying to improve it, we hope you'll find this video useful!

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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Slow learning sequence
02:11 - Walk-through/walk-through Saifa (with notes)
06:34 - follow-along Saifa (viewed from behind, like the dojo)
09:34 - Finetuning your Saifa: first embusen
11:44 - How not to fall over when on one leg
12:09 - Fixing the ending
13:09 - Saifa at performance speed

Our other Saifa videos:

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Video produced by:
Zoe Jagger-Hinis

[GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you so much for stopping by! What would you like to see next?

[JunkoFisher]

Thank you for your demonstration. I am an Okinawan dancer based in NYC and I dance Saifa Kata during my Okinawan dance called Buno Mai.

[lemons]

Thankyou so much Sensei Zoe! I learned this Kata about 12 years ago and was just trying to remember it. I love the way you broke it down for us! great video!

[nahndibush]

Thank you so much for your fabulous videos! I am 57 years old and really appreciate you breaking down each step slowly and concisely. I will be testing for my blue belt in a couple of months and you will help me to get there.

[remp]

I love how the kata is taught. Thank you for the content!!

[Jaromeo]

"I'm done with Saifa."😂 I'm not done with the taikyoku katas yet!!! One is never done with ANY kata. Great instruction again! Thank you!!!

[robbytheoutdoorsguy_channel]

thankyou ...i appreciate your tips!! relearning it now at 53 years old from when i was a teenager

[DelJFrancis]

Amazing video thanks.. have been practicing TkD for years and decided after get my Black belt to stop and start karate. having more enjoyment. Its strange starting from the beginning again. So far have learnt 3 Katas already.
Looking forward to meeting new people in the karate community and starting a new journey..

[jesperhirsch]

Thanks! You already helped me a lot with understanding geki sai dai ichi/ni and now Saifa. Very helpful for when practicing at home.

[siriusbontea]

Thanks, Sensei! I like this format with the simultaneous camera views and the "buy the numbers" instruction. It's easy to follow along and even an old-timer like me found this to be useful. Instructors learn from better instructors. :-)

[chejagger]

Thanks to Zoë Sensei

I’m sure many will benefit from this

[Sssniper_gurl]

Hi I'm a green belt at goju kai karate as we know it from here at south Africa this vd helped alot I think I will improve on my standards thank alot enjoy

[k.h.alanli]

Thank you very much for your detailed and clear explanation Zoe 😄👍👍👏👏👏

[valley]

You are a very good Teacher! Thank you.

[diakidis]

Thank you very much Zeo for the demonstration and explanation.

[barbarba]

Thank you Sensei. Great breakdown and lovely explaining. Lovely as always

[hamidaboo]

Thank you for this video. Really explained each step well.

[cyrilmths]

Thank you! I have learnt a lot from you.

[matthews]

Some good attention to details here. There's a specific way the one palm wraps around the other fist in the 3 opening moves, and it irks me when instructors ignore it or don't know it, so it's great that Sensei Zoe not only does it, but briefly mentions it. Also like the way you did the lower block/middle block/kick sequence in 3 steps, which again is the right way to do it (some people teach to do the 2 blocks simultaneously, which isn't the tradition). Oh yes, the toe points to the ground before the kick - you didn't mention that, but again that's a detail from orthodox Okinawan Goju-ryu traditions. As for the hammer strike to the nose, as Sensei Che pointed out, we also do a smaller circle, small and fast. Second final move (the one just before the mawashi uke) we'd do a reverse knife-hand strike that ends up with finger tips pointing to our left. This is a good instructional video, Sensei Zoe.

[Its_me....]

Thank you so much, im yellow but k wanted to learn before the exam, and this helped me so much❤