Saifa Kata

Saifa is the first of the classical combative Kata taught in Goju-Ryu. Kanryo Higaonna Sensei was taught this Kata, along with the other Kata of Goju-Ryu, while he studied in China from 1863-1881 under the direction of RuRuKo and others. These Kata and martial strategies would become the basis of the martial art that Miyagi Sensei would eventually call Goju-Ryu. From an understanding of the grappling and striking techniques of this Kata, Saifa can be interpreted to mean grabbing and tearing of tissue in close-quartered combat.

Start	Yoi - Musubi dachi (attention stance)
1.	Step forward with your right foot into a long zenkutsu dachi (front stance). As you step forward, chamber right hand at right side. At the same time, cross left arm in front of your ribs so your left hand covers right fist. Pivot on your right foot 90 degrees counter-clockwise and step up to place left foot beside right foot in musubi dachi (attention stance). Immediately after you pivot pull and twist your clenched right fist across your ribs so left hand is in chamber position but open, still covering your closed right fist (which has been twisted now with knuckles up).
3.	Slide left foot sideways into shiko dachi (sumo stance). As you step into the Shiko stance, your left hand half circles up in front of your face (open hand) and down to centre of chest. As left hand blocks, right hand follows through from the inside with a uraken (back fist) at nose level.
4.	Move left leg forward into a long zenkutsu dachi (front stance). As you step forward, chamber your left hand and cross your right arm in front to cover your left fist. Pivot your left foot clockwise and step up to place right foot beside left foot (now turned sideways facing the right) in musubi dachi (attention stance). After you pivot, pull and twist clenched left fist across your ribs so right hand is in chamber position but open, still guarding closed left fist (which has been twisted now with knuckles up).
5.	Slide right foot sideways into shiko dachi (sumo stance). As you step into shiko dachi, your right hand half circles up in front of your face (open hand) and down to centre of chest. As right hand blocks, left hand follows through with a uraken (back fist) at nose level.
6.	Once again, step forward with your right foot into a long front stance. As you step forward, chamber your right hand. At the same time, cross left arm in front of your ribs so your open left hand covers your right fist. Pivot on your right foot counter clockwise and step up to place left foot beside right foot (now turned sideways) in Musubi Dachi. After you pivot, pull and twist clenched right fist across your ribs so left hand is in chamber position but open, still guarding closed right fist (which has been twisted now with knuckles up).
7.	Slide left foot sideways into Shiko Dachi. As you step into the Shiko stance, your left hand half circles up in front of your face (open hand) and down to centre of chest. As left hand blocks, right hand follows through from the inside with a back fist at nose level.
	Pivot right foot 90 degrees as you slide your left foot up to the right foot and then carry through to left side. You end up facing 90 degrees from how you started. As you move open your right fist – left hand stays open at centre chest. Look to the right. Pull right leg up into crane stance, (standing on left leg). As you pull right leg into crane stance, right arm rotates counter clockwise meeting with left hand in centre and dropping down and back to right side, hand facing down and fingers facing forward. As right arm is rotating, push left hand out, palm facing up, rising up to about shoulder level and lined up with the shoulder. Fingers on left hand are facing forward. Front kick right foot, kicking with the ball of your foot.
	Shift right leg into sumo stance. From sumo stance, pull left leg up into crane stance (standing on right leg). Hands stay in this position until left leg starts to be pulled into crane stance. Right hand rises up turn palm facing up to bring palm to shoulder level. At the same time the left hand is being dropped down (arm is fully extended down) with palm facing down with fingers facing forward. Execute front kick with the left foot, kicking with the ball of your foot.
	Bring your left leg back into front stance (right leg is in front). Pull both arms, palms down, into the chamber position. Punch to chest level with both hands. Open left hand, turn left hand 90 degrees, right fist turns 180 degrees – both hands are dropped in a circular motion (not a big circle!) as you are doing this, ending up with a hammer fist (right hand) to left open palm at centre waist level. Sink into your stance as you execute the hammer fist.
	Pivot both feet 180 degrees – you are now facing the opposite way (still in front stance). Cross right let in front and straight across left leg – left leg does not move. As right leg crosses over, form a chest level X block with your arms (right over left, knuckles facing up). As you pivot, release the X block pulling both fist straight back into chamber position with palms down and then punch with both fists to shoulder level.