Katas

Kata
Kata is the uniting of several singular offensive and defensive movements into a "dance like" form or routine. When properly performed, a kata embodies the beauty and self discipline of the art and the practitioner. Kata was designed to pass information on to subsequent generations, and to serve as a training tool for the instructor. Different katas have different perspective motifs. Some teach dealing with multiple attackers without losing mental focus and maintaining the form and balance nessisary to deliver killing or crippling blows. The various meanings of kata movements sould be imparted to a person of experience who watches the kata performed. In tournament competition this should be a large part of the scoring criteria. Learning kata begins when one undertakes the study of Karate. It should always be the largest single factor in determining the true skill of a karate-ka. Having students who perform excellent kata reflects a Sensei's ability to teach the art in its truest form.
This is an incomplete list of kata that can be learned at most CMAA affiliated schools.
Taikyoku Series 1 - 9 Heian (Pinan) Series 1 - 5 Tekki (Naihanchi) Series 1 - 3 Odori Series 1 - 3 Ten no Kata Shihono Bassai Bassai Sho Bassai Ni Bassai San Tomari Bassai Saiha Krumpha Sho Tensho Chung Jang Sochi uke Sho Sochi uke Ni Sochi uke San Rohai Rohai Nidan Empi Chino Jutte Jiin Jion Kushanku Shihokosokan Onaku Annanko Gisaki Sho Sanchin Juroku (Gunku Nidan) Sochin	Gopei Sho Matsukazi Nachi Shimpa Seiuchin Seisan Seipai Chinto Chinte Yantsu Kururunpha Hangetsu Niseishi Ninjuho Sanseiru Soshiho Yoshiho No Kata Shisochin Suparinpei Nipaipo Sochi Hakkutsuru Sansu Wansu Hikaku Empi Ha Kitakaze Shinto Unsu Anan Gojushiho Kensei Denko