London 'diverse' 2,000 years ago

A DNA study has confirmed that London was an ethnically diverse city from its very beginnings.

An analysis of 2,000 year old skeletons reveals what some of the very first Londoners looked like and where they came from.

Among them is a 14-year-old girl, that the museum curators have named "The Lant Street teenager". Analysis of her DNA and chemicals in her teeth show that she grew up in North Africa, but also had DNA that is common in southern and Eastern Europe.

The teenager had blue eyes and like many people living in the capital today, she was of mixed ancestry.

Dr Rebecca Redfern of the Museum of London gives more details of the young girl's skeleton and what she has learned.

Slugs and snails eating post

The molluscs, which have bred rapidly in the damp conditions, are partial to the glue on envelopes and stamps.
Hundreds of workers at Royal Mail sorting offices as well as homeowners are reporting deliveries arriving half-eaten.
A spokesman for the Royal Mail said staff regularly clean postboxes to keep the snails out.
He said: ''We do all we can to protect the mail and insure it is delivered to its intended recipient in a good state.
''Unfortunately there is the odd occasion when snails still manage to make a meal out of envelopes and we apologise for that
''Occasionally wall-mounted postboxes do provide good homes for snails. When we identify the problem, we install brushes in the aperture which deter them.READ MORE-http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-mail/6341425/Slugs-and-snails-eating-post.html

STEROIDS -SAY NO.

A $252 million contract to play baseball causes "an enormous amount of pressure ... to perform at a high level every day," according to Alex Rodriguez, who provided details about the steroids he used as a professional athlete.

But how do steroids work?

Here is what most of us know about anabolic steroids: they make muscles grow faster, there are harmful side effects to our health, most sports leagues have banned them, and they are illegal without a prescription.READ MORE-http://www.livescience.com/3349-steroids-work.html ALSO READ -http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/20050316/why-steroids-are-bad-for-you.PERSONALLY I SAY NO AS ONCE ASED IF REQIURED THEM WHEN TRYING TO DO BODYBUILDING IN 80S BUT MANAGED TO GET AROUND 18 IN BICEPS THROUGH HARD WORK NOW JUST OLD .

WORMS MAY AID AGING?

SCIENTISTS HAVE DISCOVERED A GENE IN WORMS  -DAF-2  GENE -WHICH BOOSTS METABOLISM AND PHYSICAL STRENGTH IN ROUNDWORM.THIS MUTATION OF GENEMOVED QUICKER THEN REGULAR WORMS AFTER 10 DAYS OF LIFE WHICH IN HUMAN TERMS IS MIDDLE AGE.

SEX..

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT ,BRAG ABOUT,ITS CONSTANTLY  SEEN IN FILMS ,TELEVISION OR USED IN ADVERTS TO SELL THE PRODUCT-EXAMPLE WOMAN DRESSED IN A SEXUAL WAY TO ATTRACT YOU OR MALE MODELS WITH TORSOS SHOWING.MY OWN EXPERIENCE  IS THE ONE I AM GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT DEAR POST READER.I DID NOT HAVE SEX UNTIL I WAS 21 YEARS OLD,DUE TO BEING VERY SHY OF WOMAN GENERALLY TO POINT MOST PEOPLE THOUGHT I WAS GAY.THE FIRST TIME WAS AVERY EMBARRASSING AS  I GOT AROUSED AND FROZE SO I WAS TOLD BY THEN GIRLFRIEND NUMBER 1 TO RELIEVE MYSELF.YES THINGS GOT BETTER AND SOME TIMES GOT A BIT KINKY -WAS PISSED UPON,RODE LIKE A HORSE TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORT WE SPLIT UP I BROKE DOWN AND GOT ILL.THEN I DECIDED TO PUT MYSELF IN A BIKERS MAG -BACK STREET HERO,S WHERE I MET GIRLFRIEND NUMBER 2 AND FUTURE WIFE .WE TALKED A LOT THEN MET UP IN BODMIN,CORNWALL WHERE THIS TIME IT WAS A FEW TIMES BETTER WE MARRIED IN 1991 AND STILL ARE.NOW MY WIFE HEALTH HAS WORSEN SO SEX IS NOT ON THE MENU AND  NOT REALLY MISSED ONLY IF A URGE GETS TRIGGERED BY WATCHING SOMETHING BUT THEN I CAN DO WHAT PEOPLE DO TO RELIEVE MYSELF,THAT IT FOLKS.

LET ME IN

THE STRANGE MAN DRESSED IN BLACK AWAITS AT MY DOOR,HE SAYS TO ME LET ME IN BUT A FEAR OF DREAD SHUDDERS AROUND MY BODY SO I PUT A CHAIN ON THE DOOR AND  THINK OF IT NOMORE .AS I TRY TO SLEEP IN MY BED I HEAR A EARTHWORM IN MY SUBCONSCIOUS SAYING LET ME IN ,YOU KNOW YOU CAN NOT KEEP ME OUT FOR EVER.  A DARK SHADOW APPEARS ON THE WINDOW IT,S THE MAN AGAIN THIS TIME FLOATING LIKE GHOST AND I FEEL MORE COMPELLED TO LET ME IN BUT I FIND THE STRENGTH TO SAY NO ,HE GOES AWAY.YEARS LATER I AM  IN HOSPITAL DUE TO PROBLEMS RELATING TO OLD AGE AGAIN THE MAN STANDS BY MY BED AND SAYS LET ME IN THIS TIME I SAY YES AND WITH THAT I DRAW MY LAST BREATH AND GET TO HELLO TO MR DEATH.

Red Planet Day: Top Mars conspiracy theories about alien life

On Red Planet Day, IBTimes UK looks at the more extraordinary claims surrounding the search for life on the distant planet. The discovery of liquid water on Mars has led scientists to believe there is a much greater possibility of finding some evidence for life forms on the fourth rock from the Sun.

Alfred McEwen, professor of planetary geology at the University of Arizona, said: "The possibility of finding life in the interior of Mars is very high. There is water in the crust and we know Mars has received meteorites from Earth. Microbes can survive that trip, making it very likely life could be found in the crust of Mars."

Mars caused climate change on earth

Radio host Rush Limbaugh believes the news that there is water on Mars is part of a left-wing agenda. "I would assume it would be something to do with global warming... maybe there was once an advanced civilisation." The controversial radio host warned about 'dubious science' being used to promote the 'climate change agenda' on Earth.

Nasa is keeping secrets about life on Mars

Conspiracy Outpost has claimed that Nasa is withholding information about life on Mars, using the -READ MORE-https://uk.news.yahoo.com/red-planet-day-top-mars-060000583.html#QseskQ5

Little Gray Feather Shamanic Practices AN INTERVIEW

WHAT INSPIRED YOU? Everything I have seen, heard, and felt that most others can't has made me realize how different I really am. When I was little, I actually had no idea that this wasn't exactly normal.WHAT ARE YOUR AIMS ?  My goals are to help those who will accept me for who and what I am, and to master these unusual skills. I am learning how to access other dimensions in the astral sense, learning how to find my way to the past and future which is called the corridor of time. I have been brought there before and am being taught how to find the way my own. I am also trying to control my powers of telekinesis. I have had some close calls in public that people almost saw. I also have a unique gift to be able to channel the great spirits (God spirits) energy into others who need it for healing. Some of the healings I have been a channel for are so amazing that I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen the result for myself. I have the ability to merge souls and support medical weaknesses of humans and animals by drawing on my own body to support certain organs with mine, making them stronger so that they can heal on their own.WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE?  My future plans are to learn as much as I can in order to help others with these gifts, and also try to find others like myself who have strong abilities to help others with. I still have much learning to do, and I would like to be more involved in helping people who investigate hauntings as well. I can tell the people who do it everything they may want to know about why a spirit is there, and what they need in order to cross over to where they belong. I know people like having their ghosts sometimes, but it isn't right to not help these spirits find what they need in order to move on...so that also a goal, that I can help these poor souls to go to where they should be rather than constantly being disturbed and filmed for entertainment. Sorry if any typos, it was so long I really didn't want to reread it all lol.

Treating Alzheimer's Disease with daffodils Challenge: A natural source for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease Natural inspiration: Daffoidil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus), Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

Fields of daffodils growing in the heart of the Black Mountains, Wales may soon yield a cost effective drug, galantamine, for use in the treatment of the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease.  Galantamine is not synthetic compound but rather an extract of thehumble daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) or snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis). 

Although these plants have been used as traditional medicine since ancient times it has only recently become a commercial proposition.  In the Odyssey, Homer is thought to have described Odysseus as using the snowdrop to clear his mind¹. “...The root was black, while the flower was as white as milk; the gods call it Moly...”².  Galantamine was first extracted from the snowdrop in the early 1950’s after a Bulgarian pharmacologist saw remote villagers rubbing their forehead with the plant leaves and bulbs.  It was first officially approved for use as a drug in Bulgaria in 1958².

Galantamine is present in the leaves and bulbs of all species and varieties of daffodils and is considered to protect the plant from grazing animals and microbial infection³.  However, galantamine is found at varying levels in different daffodil varieties³ with only certain varieties containing significant amounts to be useful on a commercial scale⁴.  Galantamine levels in the plant also vary with environmental conditions and with stage of growth⁴.  Trials to assess this variation in different varieties of daffodil began in Wales in 2006.  Results showed that galantamine was generally found in much higher levels in the daffodils grown at 1,400 feet in the Black Mountains compared with the same varieties planted in Pembrokeshire at sea level⁵.  Subsequently, Alzeim, a company that researches, develops, and produces drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, from Talgarth near Brecon, have planted 120 acres (48ha) of carefully selected daffodil varieties in the Black Mountains of Powys with a view to bringing this product into commercial production in Wales⁶. READ MORE-http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5721

Mother Discovers Venomous ‘Erection-Giving’ Spider Eggs In Her Iceland Bananas

A mother-of-two was shocked to find venomous spider eggs in bananas she has bought for her children.

Samantha Frampton, 24, found Brazilian Wandering Spider eggs infested in the bananas imported from Colombia - which has a lethal bite that can kill a human in just two hours.

Samantha carefully wrapped the bananas in a plastic bag and left them outside, but is now worried her house may be infested.

The Brazilian Wandering Spider’s venom is currently being studied for use in erectile dysfunction treatments - as it can give male victims a painful four-hour erection. 

These spiders hide in banana plants during day thus explaining how they could have entered the fruit bought from Iceland.

Samantha, from Barnstaple in Devon, said: ‘I -READ MORE-https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mother-discovers-venomous-erection-giving-170424695.html#Ce33TRA

HELP FIND BALD SQUIRREL.

THIS BALD SQUIRREL WAS SPOTTED IN DUNSTABLE AREA. THE BEDFORD WILDLIFE RESCUE ARE TRYING TO FIND IT .THIS SQUIRREL MAY HAVE FUR KILLING FUNGUS.

MONSTER GOLDFISH.

 A WOMAN OWNS A GOLDFISH WHICH HAS GROWN TO A RECORD FOOT LONG .HE EATS POND STICKS ,FISH FLAKES EVERY MORNING  AND MORE OF THE SAME IN THE EVENING PLUS GARDEN PEAS EVERY SUNDAY.

IS EARTHS WATER RUNNING OUT?

GROUND WATICH ARE EARTHS WATER RESERVES ARE UP TO  6 PERCENT  OF PLANETS WATER ARE BEING USED FASTER THEN RENEWED.SO WE  MAY NEED  TO TAP INTO DEEPER COUNTIES UNDERGROUND RESOURCES WHICH IS NOT EASILY RECYCLED.

WINDY NEW PLANET.

EXO PLANET HD 189733B IN THE VULPECULA CONSTELLATION HAS WINDS OF 5,400 MILES PER HOUR.THIS WAS DISCOVERED BY WARWICK UNIVERSITY AND IS THE FRIST DIRECT MEASUREMENT OF A WEATHER SYSTEM ON A PLANET OUTSIDE OUR SOLAR SYSTEM.

REST DAY.

WHAT IS A REST DAY WELL FOR ME ITS  NOT DOING ANY TRAINING IN WEIGHTS OR GYM OR KARATE.WHY TO LET MY BODY REST AS I AM GETTING A BIT OLDER THESE  DAYS AND NEED TO REFOCUS MIND AND BODY.WHAT DO YOU DO -WATCH CATCH UP TELEVISION OR PLAY ON PLAYSTATION-TRYING TO GET BACK INTO GAMING BUT HARD AS DIFFERENT CONTROLS THESE DAYS AND OF COURSE SPEND TIME WITH MY WIFE.

Simon Morris

Econsultancy report: The Multichannel Reality

3 secrets to making Multichannel Marketing a reality

Dear Ghostman,

We know many marketers are engaging with Multichannel Marketing, but many are still facing challenges. We have teamed up with Econsultancy, surveyed over 2,000 Digital Marketers, and summarised the results to help you perfect your digital efforts. Read our Multichannel Reality report and you will find out why;

• Non-integrated marketing technology is the biggest obstacle in multichannel marketing
• Mapping mobile touchpoints is key for a single customer view
• Only 10% of companies match channels and content to a customer journey

It’s time for a new approach to Multichannel.

Kind regards,

Simon Morris
Director, Marketing EMEA
Adobe

The skull of the 'real' Winnie goes on display

The skull of the bear that inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh books is going to be put on public display for the first time, in a London museum.

Christopher Robin's teddy bear, which gave the name to AA Milne's books, was named after Winnie, a black bear he liked to visit in London Zoo.

Winnie died in 1934, and her skull was kept by the Royal College of Surgeons.

It was identified by curators in a review of the collection and will be exhibited at the Hunterian Museum.

The black bear had been something of a celebrity at London Zoo in the 1920s, a star attraction for visitors and known for her friendliness.

---

BBC Radio 4's PM programme reports on how the skull of the real-life Winnie has been revealed after 80 years.

---

AA Milne's son, Christopher Robin, was a regular visitor and was photographed inside Winnie's enclosure feeding her honey from a spoon.

An examination of the bear's skull has shown that she had lost most of her teeth in old age - and museum director Sam Alberti suggests that this could have been because of children feeding her honey or sticky buns.-READ MORE AND SEE VIDEO-BBC LINK-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-34844669

japanese to english karate terms

Japanese	Translation			Japanese	Translation
General Terms
Dojo	Training Hall			Dojo Kun	Dojo code
Sensei	Instructor			Seiza	Kneel
Rei	Bow			Yoi	Ready
Migi	Right			Hidari	Left
Kamae-te	Move to ready position			Hajime	Start/begin
Mawatte	Turn			Yame	Finish/stop
Gi	Karate suit			Obi	Belt
Kime	Focus			Kiai	Martial shout
Kihon	Basic techniques			Kata	Formal exercises
Kumite	Sparring			Zanshin	Martial state of mind
Jodan	Head				or awareness
Chudan	Middle body			Oss	Respectful greeting
Gedan	Lower body				or acknowledgment or
					understanding of a
					command
Dachi - Stances
Heiko dachi	Natural stance			Heisoku dachi	Feet together stance
Musubi dachi	Informal stance			Zenkutsu dachi	Front stance
Kiba dachi	Straddle stance			Shiko dachi	Open leg/Sumo stance
Kokutsu dachi	Back stance
Uke - Blocks
Gedan Barai	Downward block			Age Uke	Rising block
Soto Uke	Outside block			Uchi Uke	Inside block
Shuto uke	Knife hand block			Tate Shuto uke	Vertical knife hand block
Nagashi uke	Sweeping block			Haishu uke	Back hand block
Empi uke	Elbow block			Juji uke	X block
Morote uke	Augmented block			Kakewake uke	Wedge block
Tsuki - Punches
Kara/Choku tsuki	Straight punch			Oi tsuki	Stepping punch
Kizami tsuki	Front hand punch			Gyaku tsuki	Reverse punch
Kagi tsuki	Hook punch			Ren tsuki	Two punch combination
Sanbon tsuki	Three punch combination
Uchi - Strikes
Age empi uchi	Rising elbow strike			Yoko empi uchi	Side elbow strike
Mawashi empi uchi	Round elbow strike			Ushiro empi uchi	Reverse elbow strike
Tate empi uchi	Downward elbow strike			Shuto uchi	Knife hand strike
Uraken uchi	Back fist strike			Tetsui uchi	Hammer fist strike
Nukite	Spear hand thrust			Teisho uchi	Palm heel strike
Haito uchi	Ridge hand strike
Geri - Kicks
Mae geri	Front kick			Yoko geri keage	Side snap kick
Yoko geri kekomi	Side thrust kick			Mawashi geri	Roundhouse kick
Ushiro geri	Back kick			Hiza geri	Knee kick
Ren geri	Kicking combinations			Nidan geri	Two kicks with same leg
	stepping between kicks				without step between

Terror is wrong

I do not understand  why someone  would kill over an ideal of any religious beleifs.we mudt be carefull not to blame or put all peoples in the same characteristics as thats what these people  wish to do to create more hate.i have no solutions  but know bombing is not a answer we must try to see where the money is coming  from to fund and accept  we may have caused  the problem  it seems no lessons  learned from the  frist  world  war when we took all of gemany assets which in turn  lead to hitler and we know where  that lead.dont forget our government  and others supported countries  with people  of dispute and trained there  armys.so i wish for prace and no more terror but this may be but a dream dear reader.

EARLY WALT DISNEY.

IN A AUCTION IN  BONHAM  A SCRAPBOOK  OF WALT DISNEY'S EARLIEST  DRAWING -1918 FOR SALE.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) MY TEST ON MONDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2015

Introduction 

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a recording of brain activity.

During the test, small sensors are attached to the scalp to pick up the electrical signals produced when brain cells send messages to each other.

These signals are recorded by a machine and are looked at by a doctor later to see if they're unusual.

The EEG procedure is usually carried out by a highly trained specialist called a clinical neurophysiologist during a short visit to hospital.

When an EEG is used

An EEG can be used to help diagnose and monitor a number of conditions affecting the brain.

It may help identify the cause of certain symptoms – such as seizures (fits) or memory problems – or find out more about a condition you've already been diagnosed with.

The main use of an EEG is to detect and investigate epilepsy, a condition that causes repeated seizures. An EEG will help your doctor identify the type of epilepsy you have, what may be triggering your seizures, and how best to treat you.

Less often, an EEG may be used to investigate other problems, such as dementia, head injuries, brain tumours, encephalitis (brain inflammation) and sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnoea.

Preparing for an EEG

Your appointment letter will mention anything you need to do to prepare for the test.

Unless told otherwise, you can usually eat and drink beforehand and continue to take all your normal medication.

To help the sensors stick to your scalp more easily, you should make sure your hair is clean and dry before arriving for your appointment and avoid using products such as hair gel and wax.

You might want to bring a hairbrush or comb with you as your hair may be a bit messy when the test is finished. Some people bring a hat to cover their hair until they can wash it at home afterwards.

How an EEG is carried out

There are several different ways an EEG recording can be taken. The clinical neurophysiologist will explain the procedure to you and can answer any questions you have. You'll also be asked whether you give permission (consent) for the various parts of the test to be carried out.

Before the test starts, your scalp will be cleaned and about 20 small sensors called electrodes will be attached using a special glue or paste. These are connected by wires to an EEG recording machine.

Routine EEG recordings usually take 20 to 40 minutes, although a typical appointment will last about an hour, including some preparation time at the beginning and some time at the end. Other types of EEG recording may take longer.READ MORE-http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/EEG/Pages/Introduction.aspx

CANCER -MEN.

THIS POST IS PART DECIATED  TO MY DAD -PAUL TONY RAINES WHO DIED OF CANCER AND WITH THIS POST I MIGHT HELP SOMEONE.PROSTATE -NEED TO URINATE OFTEN ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT ,DIFFICULTY OR PAIN PEEING AND HOLDING ON,ERECTION PROBLEMS ,PAINFUL EJACULATION OR BLOOD IN URINE OR SEMEN. SEE DOCTOR FOR BLOOD TEST -PSA ALSO HE MAY NEED TO EXAMINE YOUR PROSTATE OR REFER YOU TO HOSPITAL FOR BIOPSY.I MYSELF SUFFER FROM A BENIGN PROSTATE WHICH   ITAKE TABLETS FOR DAILY.IT CAN BE TREATED WITH SURGERY OR CHEMOTHERAPY AND  RADIOTHERAPY.TESTICULAR-SWELLING OR LUMP IN TESTICLE ,FEELING OF HEAVINESS IN SCROTUM,ACHE IN ABDOMEN OR GROIN DISCOMFORT IN TESTICLE OR SCROTUM,BACK PAIN.IF SPOT ANYTHING UNUSUAL SEE YOUR DOCTOR WHO MAY GET YOU TO DO A BONE SCAN.EARLY DIAGNOSIS CAN BOOST  CHANCE OF GOD OUTCOME.YOU MAY HAVE ULTRA SOUND ,BLOOD TESTS  TO SEE IF HORMONE MARKERS IN BLOOD IF SO YOU MAY HAVE WHOLE TESTICLE REMOVED.A SINGLE DOSE OF CHEMOTHERAPY IF EARLY MAY PREVENT RETURNING.PENILE GROWTH OR SORE ON THE PENIS THAT DOES NOT HEAL WITHIN 4 WEEKS ,RASH,BLEEDING,FOUL SMELLING DISCHARGE ,STOMACH ACHE .IF DOCTOR THINKS YOU HAVE YOU WILL BE REFERRED TO SPECIALIST FOR BLOOD TESTS,BIOPSY.NORMALLY REMOVING A SMALL PIECE UNDER ANESTHETIC FOR TESTING YOU MAY HAVE A ULTRA SOUND OF GROIN TO SEE IF  HAVE ENLARGED LYMPH NODES.IF HAVE IN EARLY STAGES YOU HAVE MINOR SURGERY OR SPECIAL CREAMS,LASER THERAPY IS AVAILABLE OR SOMETIMES  CHEMOTHERAPY OR RADIOTHERAPY.

GIANT RATS FOR DINNER -YUMMMY

YES FOLKS ITS TIME FOR ANOTHER GIANT RAT POST.FOSSILS OF 7 SPECIES DATING BACK TEN OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS WERE FOUND IN EAST TIMOR.THESE RODENTS WERE ABOUT 11 LB AND 10 TIMES THE SIZE OF A NORMAL RATS AND WERE BY ANCIENT MAN ON THIS ISLAND.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ARCHAEOLOGISTS  SAY MARKS ON THIER BONES INDICATE THEY WERE SLICED UP FOR FOOD.

QUEUE

QUEUE.THIS IS A VERY BRITISH THING OF STANDING IN LINE WAITING TO RECIEVE GOODS OR GOING TO WATCH A FILM OR WAITING TO BE SERVED AT A TILL IN A SUPERMARKET. SO THIS MIGHT HELP-STAND IN A QUEUE WITH MOSTLY MEN IN  IT AS THIER TEND TO BE LESS  PATIENT  THAN WOMAN.CHOOSE LEFT QUEUES AS MOST PEOPLE ARE RIGHT HANDED SO  LEFT QUEUE HAS LESS IN.DONT USE EXPRESS TILL AS NUMBER OF ITEMS  DICTATES SPEED OF QUEUE.JOIN THE CASH ONLY TILL AS PEOPLE PAYING BY CARD PAYMENT SLOW YOU DOWN.SO CARRY ON QUEUING AS THATS THE BRITSH THING.

How to Practice a Kata

Most traditional Eastern martial arts have kata, hyeong, or training forms, that are practiced to develop technique, or to simply pass on a tradition. When certain people practice them, they look sharp and have a certain presence; when other people do them, they look like some kind of silly aerobic exercise. This article will help you understand the difference and apply it to your kata practice.

Kata practice is, however, more than simply performing the steps well, though that is important. Another aspect of kata practice is the analysis of the movements in the kata to determine the more advanced techniques which are encoded there.

Steps

1. 
   1
   Get into the mindset. At the opening kamae (combat posture), e.g. uncrossing your arms and putting your feet at shoulder width, imagine you are about to enter a real fight. This involves two things: Projecting confidence and being aware of what’s going on around you in a full, 360 degree circle. This should continue throughout the kata, as visualising every punch striking home will keep your attacks crisp and strong. Regardless of the actual posture (there are a wide variety of opening kamae for empty-handed and weapon arts), the mindset is the same.
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2. 
   2
   Perform your first step (or group of steps) against an imaginary opponent of exactly your size. Imagine that if you don’t block or strike perfectly, you will be killed. Not hurt, not embarrassed—killed. You must move with this purpose in mind, or you’re just doing some sort of strange aerobics in Japanese underwear.
3. 
   3
   Relax between steps. There should be a natural build up of power in each series of techniques, then a pause in-between. If you are stiff throughout the kata (a) it will look bad, (b) you will be training your body to telegraph your moves. The key point is to relax (lower) your shoulders. It is natural to tense up; this is why kata training helps.
4. 
   4
   Some styles have kamae (combat postures) in the middle of the kata. These are not meaningless breaks in the form; these are moments where you are supposed to project yourself and stare down your imaginary opponent, as if to say with your eyes "You can withdraw and I will show mercy, but if you don’t, I will kill you." Again, not "I will hurt you" or any of that shoulder-flinching stuff; I will *kill* you. This is a completely different mindset. The main point of kata practice is to develop this mindset so that when you’re actually confronted, it automatically turns on, because you've prepared for confrontation this way (as opposed to the natural way, which is to be frightened). If you haven’t imagined real opponents, you are not developing this mental skill in your kata practice.
5. 

   
   5
   Understand that usually the last technique of the kata is the most dangerous or sophisticated. After the last move, pause a moment, and slowly return to the opening kamae (posture). This is done slowly to ensure the final, imaginary opponent is dead. Do not relax your presence or awareness until you bow, or you’ll look like you’re