"The following principles
are what all Shito-Ryu practitioners strive to master.
Although it is an endless task...."
1. Rakka: Like a falling
flower
To block with such force that if the technique were applied
to the trunk of a tree it would lose all of its flowers.
A block should be executed so decisively that it not only
halts an opponent’s attack but utterly defeats it with a
single technique.
2. Ryusu: Like
flowing water
To flow with your opponents movements, using them against
him and as an aid to your defense. Respond to your opponent
using fluid movement.
3. Kushin: Bending
Control of an attack that uses body movement originating
in the knees. Keep your spine straight and use your knees
to control your height, giving you balance and the strength
of your legs so that little effort is required to control
the attack. Springing. A reflexive, darting "out and in"
kind of body shifting from any angle.
4. Teni: Body movement
Essentially avoiding your opponent’s attack using body movement.
Stepping in all directions to confuse your attacker and
facilitate your Hangeki.
5. Hangeki: Counter
attack
When the need arises, respond to your opponents attacks
with decisive, powerful counter-attacks. By utilizing the
first four principles you may never need to implement the
fifth, but if required you should apply you whole mind and
body to the counter.