Saifa

This kata is required to move to 4th kyu (Green belt with 2 brown stripes)

The word Saifa may be interpreted as "tearing". A key theme of this kata is the use of single arm techniques including blacks and strikes.

Saifa uses a wide variety of strikes and lends itself to defence against multiple attacks. 

Nifainchi Shodan

This kata is required to move to 3rd kyu (Brown belt). In addition to this kata you will also need to be proficient in Basic Sparring sets 1, 2, 3 and 4. in order to achieve 3rd kyu.

Kata Naifunchi Shodan is the first of three Naifunchi kata and was included in the Goju Kensha karate syllabus by Ohtsuka Tadahiko. It is a kata that has been adopted by many styles of karate and is sometimes referred to as Naihanchi or Tekki. The name Naifanchi reflects Okinawan pronunciation while Naihanchi is more the Japanese pronunciation. Whilst the kata is linear, moving side to side, the techniques can be applied against attackers at any angle. The side to side movements build up the necessary balance and strength for fast footwork and body shifting. The kata also develops effective hip movement.

The oldest known reference to Naihanchi are in the books of Motobu Choki. It is believed to originated in China.

Sanseiru

Sanseiru literally means number 36 or 36 hands. The number 108 is an important number in Buddhist teachings.  Because karate traces its roots back to Buddhism, the number 108 figures prominently in the symbolism associated with karate, particularly the Goju Ryu. A number of kata  take their names from numbers related to 108. Kata Suparinpei literally translates to 108. Kata Seipai relates to 18 hands. All are factors of the number 108.

Otsuka Sensei  believed the number 36 may also have had to do with 36 vital points. In Chinese martial arts teaching it is generally agreed that there are 108 vital points.

This kata develops low kicks and double hand techniques and practices focusing attention in different directions.