Hello:

In the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the car, on a plane, in a train, under water its all good. Anyplace that I can...

In order to practice, all I need is a few feet of space. The entire kata can be done in its smaller parts... too many breakable things to be done without serious caution regardless.

Jeff

Actually there is a way to practice any kata in one spot, by using replacement stepping. An uncommon but very useful practice.

A simple explanation using the crescent stepping to step forward with the left foot.

1. Bring the left rear foot up alongside the supporting right foot.
2. Shift your weight to the left foot.
3. Step back with the right foot and you are in a left front stance.

So you've stepped forward but remain in the same place.

The rest is work to figure out how to do all the stepping in the kata. While slightly different from the original you are still working the original kata.

Added value, if your attacker is coming in faster than expected, replacement stepping allows you to continue your defense but not moving forward, so they're moving into the defense.

Just a thought.

Boxers and Kickboxers Thai boxers have been changing stance for years.

A quick switch of the feet does the same thing. I know that with kata it is quite formal with the stances moving forward precisely etc but could we look at it as the steps as actual a change of stance without moving forward with a moving of the attacker's arms etc to get a good strike zone etc?

Stepping in kata can also mean a disturbance of balance on the opponent. Yose-ashi won't give that same idea, unless you are aware of this during practice. The mind plays a big part in training.

However, training shouldn't always be a copy of the last training done. So trying different thing, focussing on different aspects could broaden your horizon, but deepen your understanding.

Coming back to training in a small space: improvise. change stance, direction try it all.

Totally Agree, In Kata, I always believe that a step forward could also symbolise a step back etc.

Or maybe a change in hanmi done with a slight twist of the hips

The two ways of hanmi that I know of: of the hips, of the shoulders. (The first one most often done combined with the shoulders.)
Both have their application in deflection. Good point Iaibear!

A good example of Ken's input could be found in Naihanchi no kata. The haishu-uchi -> empi-uchi (near the start of the kata), depending on distancing could be oi-dachi or tai-dachi; kiba-dachi/zenkutsu-dachi/kokutsu-dachi. (Could also be dependant on how much you hold on to: no first attack in karate ;-) just kidding.)

WAS IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM AT MY APARTMENTS A FEW MONTHS AGO WAITING TO PUT MY CLOTHES IN A DRYER. BORED.... THEN IT CAME TO ME. I STARTED WORKING MY WAY UP THROUGH MY KATAS. IT WAS A GREAT LITTLE WORK OUT.YOU KNOW THE TYPE: DO A KATA, DO 20 PUSHUPS, DO A KATA, 20 PUSH UPS......ON AND ON.
THIS WENT ON UNTILL THE NEIGHBOR CAME IN TO DO HIS LAUNDRY. BY THEN I WAS WORKING UP A SWEAT. WE HAD A GOOD LAUGH ABOUT MY CHOICE OF WORK OUT AREA. IT WAS ALL COOL AND I THINK THAT THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT MY NEIGHBOR MIGHT JOIN MY GOJU RYU CLASS.
THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF WORKOUTS, BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT FOR ME IF I GOT THE SPACE AND SOME TIME,FULL POWER GOJU KATA WITH PUSHUPS/ CRUNCHES GOES A LONG WAY TO KEEPING THIS OLD BODY FIT BETWEEN CLASSES.
KEEP HUMBLE AND TRUST YOUR SENSEI
MARK

OMG CAPS LOCK LOL

You got me! The tenderfoot poster has been exposed. Some day I will learn to type.

Mark