| The Shinseido Long Form | |
| How to link Kata Shinzen, Kyugata Shinsei Part 1 and Kyugata Shinsei Part 2 into one long form called Shinseido Long Form. | |
| When I created the former Kata Shinsei (now split into Kata Shinsei Pt 1 and Kata Shinsei Pt 2) it quickly became clear that for teaching purposes it was too long and unwieldy. So I broke it down into parts, and eventually decided to split the entire form into two roughly equal parts comprising five linked exercises each. The resultant forms posed less of a threat to students than being confronted with the prospect of learning just one long form. I later developed and added the Kata Shinzen from an older exercise. It makes much sense to consolidate these three forms into one long one, representing as they do, all the aspects and principles of the contemporary Shinseido system that forms part of the Shindo holistic life-skill. It is in that manner that I practice the forms myself. However, it is for each Shindo teacher to decided how he or she wants to deliver these components, at the end of the day it makes little difference this way or that. | |
| Linking the end of Kata Shinzen to the beginning of Kata Shinsei | |
| 1. | Do Kata Shinzen to the point just before stepping back with the left foot into move 19 Holding hands. In other words to the conclusion of move 18 (combining hands - left side) |
| 2. | With your left foot forward from the conclusion of the previous move - go straight into move 4a of Kata Shinsei (Willow Yields to Wind) by looking over your left shoulder and stepping back with the left foot exactly as described for Kata Shinsei move 4a in the descriptive notes. This is the release from a right arm choke. |
| In other words leave out the movements 19-22 of Kata Shinzen (the left foot step back into yoi; projection of chi; bow and finish) and also leave out the moves 1-2 of Kata Shinsei (the stepping into the ready position, stepping back with right foot, doing palms towards you embracing hand position, then the palms facing forwards calming hand position). | |
| The movements we leave out are only movements that are duplicated in the beginning of Kata Shinsei and in Kata Shinzen. The only one that is not duplicated (the projection of energy movement) is carried over to the end of the entire Long Form, so nothing is lost by these omissions. | |
| Linking the end of Kyugata Shinsei Part 1 to the beginning of Kyugata Shinsei Part 2 | |
| 1. | From the concluding right foot kick in Dragon Lashes Tail (Dragon 5) - having executed the kick, return the kick to the left knee and then stand down with the right foot next to the left in a tied foot stance. Allow the hands to assume a central cover in front of the torso with the right hand in advance of the right. |
| 2. | Now move straight into the first movement of Kyugata Shinsei Pt 2 (Warrior 1 - front release) by stepping out to the left with the left foot in order to execute the stranglehold release. |
| Concluding the Shinseido Long Form | |
| 1. |
From the movement in Kyugata Shinsei Pt 2 (Monk 7a Finish): Step back with the left foot into a ready stance (yoi dachi) with the feet positioned at shoulder width apart. Position the hands facing palm to palm, fingers pointing downwards, about 10-12 inches apart. This position is exactly the same as that described for Kata Shinzen - Holding hands (move 19 holding the energy ball) |
| 2. | Now finish the Long Form by performing the movements of Kata Shinzen 19 to the end. In other words, the holding energy ball move; projection of energy move (projecting hands); shutting down (closing hands) and bow to finish. For a detailed description of the ending follow Kata Shinzen move 19 to the end |