Birthday Katas are simple; perform one kata for every year you’ve been alive.
As a rough estimate, each kata takes about one minute, so that can help you judge how much time you’ll need to complete your Birthday Kata challenge.
I started doing this when I was 57 years old. Yes, it really does take about an hour to complete 60 katas! When you’re under 20, it feels easy. As the years add up, so does the challenge — and that’s part of the fun.
I also like to find a great location for the katas, like the beach, a park, or anywhere with good energy and room to move. When you’re doing multiple katas, getting away from the house can make the experience feel more focused, memorable, and enjoyable.
This is a great activity for kids because you can get the whole karate class involved. For adults, it becomes a challenge of patience, perseverance, and mental discipline. Somewhere along the way, the workout turns into a personal journey.
I call these Vacation Katas, but you don’t have to be on vacation to try one.
Whenever we go on vacation or visit someplace new—a monument, a national landmark, a festival, or even a small town—we usually take pictures. Maybe we look at those pictures once or twice, and then they disappear into our phones, never to be seen again.
But what if you added a little martial arts to the memory?
Do a kata.
Record yourself performing a kata in front of a national monument, at a famous landmark, on a beautiful beach, or somewhere completely unexpected. Now you have more than a photograph. You have a memory in motion—something you can share with your friends and family and remember for years to come.
Kata to Cocoa
The first Vacation Kata I created, I called it “Kata to Cocoa.”
My son and I were taking a trip to a neighboring dojo. On the way there, we decided to try something: we would stop in different cities along the way and shoot a short kata video at each location.
Cocoa Beach is about 200 miles north of us, and there were plenty of opportunities to stop along the way. We ended up shooting five different videos.
At every stop, I performed the same kata.
When I got home, I edited all the videos together into one sequence. The video ended with me performing the kata inside the dojo we were visiting.
Kata to Cocoa
It turned a simple road trip into a martial arts adventure.
Aloha, Kata!
Another memorable Vacation Kata experience happened in Hawaii in 2023.
My wife and I traveled to visit our son, who was stationed in Honolulu at the time. He gave us a tour of the island of Oahu, showing us some of the incredible places he had come to know.
Along the way, we took the opportunity to perform and record a few katas at some famous Hawaiian locations.
Pearl Harbor Hawaii
Those videos became more than souvenirs.
They became memories with movement.
You will Look at Your Vacation Differently
Vacation Katas are fun to create, but there is another benefit I discovered.
They make you look at your surroundings differently.
Instead of simply asking, “What should we take a picture of?” you start asking:
“Where would be an interesting place to perform a kata?”
Suddenly, you’re paying attention to your surroundings in a completely different way. You start noticing architecture, landscapes, landmarks, beaches, parks, and unexpected backdrops that might make your kata memorable.
And sometimes the best location isn’t the most famous one. It might be a quiet spot you discover along the way.
The Courage to Perform
There is also a little bit of courage involved in Vacation Kata.
Performing kata in a dojo is one thing.
Performing kata in the middle of a public place, with people walking by and wondering what you’re doing, is something else entirely!
It requires focus—and maybe a willingness to ignore a few curious looks.
But remember: popular tourist destinations can be crowded. Safety comes first. Before you begin, look around and make sure you have enough space. You don’t want to accidentally kick, punch, or bump into someone while performing your kata.
Find a safe location. Take a breath. Clear your mind.
Then…
Begin your kata.
Your next vacation might give you more than photographs and souvenirs.
It might give you a Vacation Kata—a memory you can perform again and again.
And that’s a pretty good souvenir.
Vacation Kata is another one of the 30 Creative Ways to Practice Kata.
Here’s another of the 30 ways to practice your kata.
Visualize your kata.
Sometimes the most powerful training happens when you close your eyes.
Visualization is the practice of mentally rehearsing a movement, technique, or entire sequence without physically performing it. For a karateka, this can become another way to practice kata—one that allows you to train your mind, sharpen your technique, and deepen your understanding of the movements.
Your brain responds to vividly imagined movement in ways that are surprisingly similar to physical practice. When you mentally perform a punch, block, turn, or kick, areas of the brain involved in movement and motor planning become active.
You are not standing still doing nothing.
You are practicing without moving.
See Your Kata
Begin by sitting or standing comfortably. Close your eyes and take a few slow breaths.
Now picture yourself performing your kata.
Don’t simply see yourself from across the room. Try to experience the kata from inside your own body.
Feel your feet against the floor.
Feel your posture.
Feel your hands forming each technique.
Feel your hips rotate.
Feel your weight shift.
Hear your breathing.
Hear the snap of your gi.
Feel the tension and relaxation of each movement.
Then begin your kata.
Slowly.
Move through every technique in your imagination.
See the first movement. Feel it.
Then the next.
And the next.
Don’t rush to the finish.
Make It Real
Visualization becomes more powerful when you add detail.
Imagine the dojo around you. Picture the floor, the walls, the lighting. Feel the temperature of the room. Hear the sounds around you.
Then imagine your kata.
See the direction of every movement. Feel every stance. Experience every transition.
If your kata contains a turn, don’t simply picture yourself turning—feel the turn.
If there is a powerful punch, feel your body driving the technique.
If there is a pause, experience the stillness.
If there is a kiai, hear it in your mind.
Your goal isn’t to watch a movie of yourself doing kata.
Your goal is to experience yourself doing kata.
Slow It Down
Here’s where visualization can become especially interesting.
You can practice your kata at a speed you might never use physically.
Take one movement and examine it.
Where are your feet?
Where are your hands?
Where is your weight?
Where are your eyes looking?
What happens to your breathing?
What happens immediately before the technique?
What happens immediately afterward?
Visualization gives you the opportunity to become a student of your own movement.
You can stop.
Repeat.
Correct.
Restart.
And examine the movement again.
Practice What You Want to Become
Visualization can also expose mistakes.
If you repeatedly imagine a sloppy stance, an incorrect hand position, or a weak technique, you are rehearsing that version of your kata.
So don’t visualize your mistakes.
Visualize the kata you want to perform.
Imagine your strongest stance.
Your cleanest technique.
Your best balance.
Your sharpest transitions.
Your calmest mind.
Your most powerful finish.
Your mind becomes the dojo, and your imagination becomes the training floor.
Five Minutes of Invisible Training
Try this for five minutes.
Choose one kata you know well.
Close your eyes.
Take a few breaths.
Visualize yourself standing in the starting position.
Then perform the entire kata in your mind.
Don’t worry about speed.
Concentrate on accuracy and feeling.
When you finish, take a breath and open your eyes.
Then, if you have the space, perform the same kata physically.
Notice what feels different.
You may discover that your physical kata has changed simply because your mind spent five minutes practicing it first.
Kata Is More Than Movement
Kata has always been more than simply moving through a sequence of techniques.
It is concentration.
Awareness.
Timing.
Breathing.
Balance.
Intent.
Visualization allows you to explore all of those things without taking a single step.
There will be days when you can’t train.
Maybe you’re traveling.
Maybe you’re injured.
Maybe you don’t have enough space.
Maybe you’re sitting in an airport waiting for a flight.
You can still practice.
Close your eyes.
Take a breath.
And perform your kata.
Your body may be still, but your training doesn’t have to stop.
The dojo isn’t always a place.
Sometimes the dojo is your mind.
And sometimes the most important kata you perform is the one nobody else can see.
Rain Kata is exactly what it sounds like—performing kata outside in the rain.
Of course, there is one very important warning: never practice kata outside during a thunderstorm. If you see lightning or hear thunder, get inside. No kata is worth taking that risk.
I’ve practiced kata in very high humidity. It isn’t rain, but the moisture in the air sticks to your clothes and skin and creates its own challenge. Rain takes that experience to another level.
At first, rain may seem like nothing more than an inconvenience. Water runs down your face and body. Your clothes gradually become heavier and wetter. A raindrop hits your eye, momentarily obscuring your vision. The temperature of the water against your skin creates another sensation you have to deal with.
And through all of this, you’re trying to maintain your kata without breaking your focus.
The longer you practice, the more the environment changes.
If you’re practicing on dirt, the ground can quickly become mud. Water begins to puddle, creating slippery or unstable footing. Your clothing becomes heavier, your vision may become impaired, and your body begins responding to the changing temperature.
As martial artists, we should be aware of these changes.
Rain Kata is more than practicing kata in bad weather. It is an exercise in adaptation.
We spend a lot of time training in controlled environments. The floor is familiar. The temperature is comfortable. We know where we are going to step, and we know what to expect.
But life—and self-defense—doesn’t always give us those conditions.
My experience with Rain Kata was interesting because it started as nothing more than a light rain. I performed one kata, and everything seemed to be going well. Then, unexpectedly, the rain began coming down harder.
I was bound and determined to finish the few katas I had planned.
The rain soaked my head and ran down into my clothes. The cold water created new sensations on my skin, and I found myself becoming more aware of things I normally wouldn’t have to think about during kata.
A simple thing like rain can become a distraction.
And that is the lesson.
How do you respond when your environment changes?
Do you lose your focus, or do you adapt?
Do you become frustrated by what you cannot control, or do you adjust to it?
Rain Kata reminds me that martial arts training isn’t always about making things easier. Sometimes, it’s about deliberately introducing something unexpected and learning how to continue.
The rain changes the environment.
Your job is to change with it.
That lesson goes far beyond kata.
If we ever find ourselves in a situation where we need to defend ourselves, the environment may not be perfect. It may be raining. The ground may be slippery. Our vision may be impaired. We may be tired, distracted, or uncomfortable.
We cannot always control what happens around us.
But we can practice controlling how we respond.
Rain Kata is a reminder: adapt, maintain your focus, and keep moving.
One of my morning rituals is doing kata beside my pool. After spending so many mornings practicing there, I started thinking about the purifying philosophy of water.
I begin my morning with a little meditation in the pool. I stand waist-deep in the water, quiet and still, welcoming the beginning of a new day.
Then I get out and begin my kata.
After about five katas, I return to the pool for more meditation. This time, I usually submerge myself up to my neck for two or three minutes.
Then it’s back to kata.
I’ll do at least 20 katas, alternating between the water and the deck. In the summer, this is pretty easy. In the winter, it becomes more of a cold plunge—which is another creative kata idea for later!
Eventually, I started thinking:
Why not turn this into a kata practice of its own?
So I came up with the Water Kata—a simple practice you can do at home, beside a pool, at the beach, or even with a bowl of water.
The Water Kata
A 10–15 minute ritual you can practice beside a pool, at the beach, or even with a simple bowl of water.
1. Arrive — 1 minute
Stand quietly facing the water.
Feet shoulder-width apart. Hands relaxed.
Take three slow breaths.
With each breath, think:
Inhale: I arrive.
Exhale: I let go.
Don’t try to empty your mind.
Instead, simply become aware of where you are.
Feel your feet beneath you.
Notice your breathing.
Listen to the water.
For this moment, there is nowhere else you need to be.
2. Bow to the Water
Perform your normal martial arts bow.
Then place your hands together, or simply rest them at your sides, and acknowledge the water.
You might silently say:
“Water does not resist.
Water adapts.”
Let that become the theme of your practice.
Water has no fixed shape. It adapts to its surroundings, yet it can also carve through stone.
There is a lesson there for the martial artist.
Bruce Lee’s philosophy on water appears at the end of this article.
3. Water Kata — 5–8 minutes
Perform one kata slowly.
But this time, give every movement a water quality.
Instead of thinking:
“How hard can I perform this?”
Think:
“How smoothly can I move?”
Imagine your body moving through water.
● Blocks become waves.
● Turns become currents.
● Stances become anchors.
● Strikes become ripples.
● Breathing becomes the tide.
● The kiai becomes a breaking wave.
But don’t misunderstand the idea.
Water can be soft, but water can also be incredibly powerful.
Your movements should not become weak.
Softness and power can coexist.
Begin by performing the first half of the kata slowly.
Then perform the kata normally.
Finally, choose your favorite sequence and repeat it one more time—as slowly as possible.
Feel every transition.
Feel every breath.
Feel every movement.
4. The Still Water Meditation —
2–3 minutes
When the kata is finished, stand completely still.
Watch the water.
Let your breathing gradually return to normal.
Ask yourself:
“What am I carrying that I don’t need to carry today?”
Don’t force an answer.
Just let the question sit.
As you exhale, imagine releasing whatever you are carrying into the water.
Then ask yourself:
“What do I want to carry forward?”
Choose one word.
Maybe:
Courage.
Patience.
Discipline.
Happiness.
Strength.
Awareness.
Choose your word.
Then carry it with you.
5. The Water Gesture
This is a simple but powerful way to finish the Water Kata.
Dip your fingertips into the water.
Make a small circle.
Then stop.
Watch the ripples move outward.
Think:
“Every movement creates a ripple.”
That is a powerful martial arts lesson.
A punch creates a consequence.
A decision creates a consequence.
A word creates a consequence.
A small daily practice creates a consequence.
Sometimes the movement seems insignificant when we make it.
But the ripple continues.
Your training doesn’t stop when the kata ends.
What you do after the kata is part of the kata.
6. Close
Bow again.
Say:
“Train the body.
Quiet the mind.
Flow with the moment.
Leave a positive ripple.”
Then walk away.
Don’t immediately reach for your phone.
Give yourself a few moments to carry the feeling of the practice into the rest of your day.
The water is still.
The kata is finished.
But the ripple has already begun.
Bruce Lee and the Philosophy of Water
Bruce Lee famously used water as a metaphor for adaptability, saying:
“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water.”
He went on to describe how water takes the shape of whatever contains it, while also having the ability to flow or crash.
That idea fits beautifully with the Water Kata.
As martial artists, we learn structure, discipline, technique, and control.
I’m a big fan of kata. Over the years, I’ve come up with more than 30 different ways to practice it. Maybe it’s more accurate to say I’ve discovered 30 different reasons to do kata.
I’ve performed kata at national landmarks as a way to “mark my territory”—lol. I’ve done kata to celebrate milestones, to challenge myself, and to explore new environments. Every variation teaches something different.
Practicing kata in different ways deepens your understanding of the movements, applications, structure, balance, timing, and body mechanics. It gives you experiences you simply can’t get by staying inside the dojo. Kata isn’t just a sequence of movements—it’s movement in life. It can sharpen your mind, lift your spirit, and energize your body.
Why have 30 different reasons to practice kata?
Have you ever heard the saying, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”? The same idea applies to martial arts. If you only practice kata on a perfectly level floor in an air-conditioned dojo, you’ll probably struggle when you try to perform it on the beach, in a forest, on uneven ground, or in front of a crowd.
Do you feel uncomfortable when people watch you? That’s a great reason to take your kata outside the dojo and practice in public. Learning to stay calm and focused despite distractions is a martial skill in itself.
Different environments and different surfaces produce different results. Sand challenges your balance. Grass changes your footing. Wind affects your breathing and concentration. Every new setting reveals something about your kata—and about yourself—that you might never notice inside the dojo.
Don’t expect to be inspired after one or two attempts. You won’t uncover the deeper lessons from just a handful of repetitions. Discovery comes through consistency.
How many repetitions does it take?
If you’re asking that question, it’s like asking, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?” The answer definitely isn’t three… lol.
The real answer is simple: keep practicing until your kata begins to teach you.
One of the goals of my 30 Creative Ways to Practice Kata series is to encourage martial artists to experience kata from different perspectives. Some ideas challenge your body, others challenge your environment, and a few challenge your mind.
This next exercise may be one of the most unusual—and one of the most valuable. Instead of performing your kata, you’re going to write it.
⸻
Write Out Your Kata
This is both a meditative exercise and a training exercise. Writing out your kata forces you to slow down, think through every movement, and truly understand what you’re doing.
You can make this exercise as detailed as you like. Include anything you believe is important to the kata—stances, techniques, breathing, timing, applications, transitions, body position, or even the purpose behind each movement.
I’ve found that writing descriptions helps deepen my understanding of almost anything. It could be a kata, a recipe, or learning a new skill. You begin by writing the basics, then gradually add more details as your knowledge grows. The simple act of thinking each step through teaches you something you may have overlooked before.
Writing can also be therapeutic. It helps organize your thoughts, clarify your training, and becomes a form of active meditation. As you focus on each movement and write it down, you’re creating your own instruction manual for the kata.
I can’t recall ever seeing a kata written out in complete detail. I’ve seen plenty of books with photographs and illustrations, but very few that describe every movement from beginning to end. That makes this exercise even more valuable because you’re creating a resource that reflects your understanding of the kata.
Here’s a simple challenge. Take one of your favorite kata and write out only the first ten movements. Include as much detail as you can. Note the technique you’re using, the stance, the direction you’re facing, whether the movement is on the left or right side of the body, your breathing, and anything else you think is important.
As your understanding of the kata grows, continue adding notes and refining your descriptions. You may be surprised by how much you discover—not because you practiced the kata differently, but because you thought about it differently.
Sometimes the greatest lesson in kata doesn’t come from moving your body.
Let me warn everyone: this practice is not safe. If you are not used to hot temperatures, this could potentially make you extremely sick. This is simply my own experience that I want to share.
I live in Florida, where summers can be brutally hot. Walking on asphalt, concrete, or sand can burn your feet in seconds. Beach sand can reach temperatures of 120 degrees.
I’ve tried starting my workouts early in the morning, when temperatures are near 80 degrees by 7 a.m. The challenge was seeing if I could complete my workouts before it became too hot.
One year, I went outside to do katas in the driveway when the temperature was already very high. Within minutes, I was sweating heavily. I managed about 20 katas before I had to quit. My body overheated, and it took me a few days to recover.
I got this idea from watching people perform katas under waterfalls. I figured I should take advantage of my own environment. I believe you have to train in your environment. You can’t train in an air-conditioned dojo all the time and expect to perform well outside in extreme heat.
I know some old-school dojos practiced without air conditioning. I’ve been part of a few of those classes, and even drinking water was discouraged.
Training in heat may have some benefits when done carefully and safely. Hot kata can challenge your mental toughness, improve focus under stress, and teach you how your body reacts in difficult conditions. The heat can force you to slow down, breathe more carefully, and conserve energy. It may also help prepare you for outdoor demonstrations, tournaments, or self-defense situations where conditions are far from comfortable.
But heat training should always be approached with caution. Hydration, rest, and knowing your limits are extremely important. Sometimes the smartest martial artist is the one who knows when to stop.
The New Moon is symbolic of communication, information, learning something new, investing in new ways, and experiencing your neighborhood through fresh eyes.
In May 2026, the New Moon falls on Saturday, May 16th.
Unlike the Full Moon, the New Moon offers no extra light—just you and the darkness.
At first, that might not sound appealing. No spotlight. No visibility. No dramatic energy. But that’s exactly where the value is.
New Moon Kata is not about performance—it’s about awareness.
When you step outside to practice in the dark, your senses begin to shift. Your eyes can’t guide you the same way, so your hearing sharpens. Small sounds stand out—the rustle of leaves, distant movement, the rhythm of your own breath. The familiar becomes unfamiliar.
For me, one of the eeriest moments is hearing a bird with a strange, haunting call cutting through the silence. It reminds me that I’m not alone out there—and that awareness matters.
This is where the training begins to change.
Without visual distractions, you rely more on feeling each movement. Your balance, your transitions, your breathing—all become more intentional. You’re not watching your kata—you’re experiencing it.
New Moon Kata training also tests your mindset.
Darkness can create hesitation. It can make simple movements feel uncertain. But working through that discomfort builds calm under pressure. You learn to trust your body, your training, and your instincts.
There’s also something quietly powerful about the stillness. No audience. No expectations. Just repetition, focus, and presence.
If the Full Moon represents outward energy, visibility, and power, then the New Moon represents inward focus, reflection, and refinement.
Both have value. Both shape your practice.
The New Moon Kata is your opportunity to slow things down, sharpen your awareness, and explore your training from a different perspective.
Step outside. Embrace the darkness. Listen closely.
And perform your kata—not for how it looks, but for how it feels.
When I say “kata with a friend,” I’m not talking about during class. I’m talking about getting together with a friend or family member outside of class to do kata. Kata can be meditative and enjoyable when done with someone who matches your speed and enthusiasm.
You’re not trying to explain or teach the kata. You’re simply sharing the experience of the movements, the focus, and the environment together.
My son and I did a 100 Kata Challenge on the beach for a couple of years. We watched the sunrise as we practiced. For stretches of 20 katas or more, we barely talked. We were both deeply focused on what we were trying to accomplish.
There was a positive energy in the air. We had spent a couple of weeks planning and talking about how we were going to complete 100 katas. It took us a couple of hours to finish. It wasn’t so much a physical struggle as it was a mental one. The soft Florida sand added to the challenge.
My son and I completed the 100 Kata Challenge about four times. Then a number of years passed before we were able to do something similar again.
In 2023, my son was stationed in Hawaii while serving in the Navy, and I was there on vacation. He videotaped me doing kata in various locations around the island of Oahu. I was happy I was able to talk him into doing a kata with me while we were there. He hadn’t practiced in a while and was worried about messing up.
But that’s one of the great things about doing kata with family or close friends — perfection doesn’t matter. The shared experience matters more. Years later, you may not remember every movement, but you’ll remember the sunrise, the laughter, the conversations, and the effort you shared together.
Doing kata with a friend or family member can also make training more enjoyable and motivating. Some people may never attempt a 100 Kata Challenge alone, but with someone beside them, it becomes an adventure. You can encourage each other, stay focused, and create memories at the same time.
You can make it fun by practicing in unusual places like the beach, a park, at sunrise, under a full moon, or even during light rain. Some people may enjoy matching breathing patterns or moving in rhythm together without speaking. Others may enjoy filming each other’s kata journey over the years and seeing how their movements evolve.
Kata is usually thought of as a solitary practice, but sometimes sharing the experience with the right person can make it even more meaningful.
Chanting has been around for thousands of years, but I’ve never heard of anyone incorporating chanting into kata practice. I started experimenting with chanting during some of my katas and found it added a completely different feeling to the experience. Don’t confuse chanting with a kiai—it’s a totally different type of breathing and energy.
Chanting is a rhythmic, repetitive sound that can help focus the mind, encourage relaxation, and even help induce a meditative state. Some people believe chanting may also promote healing and reduce stress. The vibrations created in the throat and chest can help you become more aware of your breathing and body movement.
I use the simple “OM” chant, exhaling slowly as I perform a technique. The breathing is calm, steady, and controlled. I’ve noticed it helps me slow down, stay relaxed, and pay closer attention to each movement instead of rushing through the kata.
Another interesting benefit is rhythm. Chanting can help create a natural timing for your techniques and breathing, almost like a moving meditation. It may also help improve concentration by blocking out distractions and keeping your mind locked into the present moment.
I’ll let you do your own research on the benefits of chanting. The best way to understand the results is to try it for yourself. You might discover a whole new layer to your kata practice.
South Florida Samurai Magazine 