Six Principles of Kata

1. Ikita Kata - Kata must be alive and done with feeling and purpose.

2. Inen - Kata must be performed with spirit.

3. Chikara no Kyojaku - Kata should be done with changes in application of power. Technique can be strong or yielding, hard then soft.

4. Waza no Kankyu - Kata should be done with variations in the timing of movement, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

5. Kisoku no Donto - Kata must be done with proper rhythm of breathing, when to inhale and exhale.

6. Balance - Proper balance must be maintained in the performance of Kata.