- "Walk on road. Walk right side: safe. Walk left side: Safe. Walk middle, sooner or later: you get squished, just like grape. Here Karate same thing. Either you Karate do yes, or Karate do no. You Karate do 'Guess so.', just like grape. [..] I promise to teach Karate. That's my part. You promise to learn. I say, you do. No questions. That's his part."
- ―Mr. Miyagi's pact with Daniel
These are the Miyagi-Do Karate lessons taught from Mr. Miyagi to Daniel LaRusso over the course of the The Karate Kid film franchise.
Before officially starting training, Miyagi ensured that Daniel was ready to embark on the training. He needed a direct answer from Daniel, as opposed to the "I guess so," that was given. Daniel gave a direct answer of yes, at which point, Miyagi promised to teach him karate. In turn, he made Daniel promise to learn, do as he said, and not ask questions. Once the deal is made, the lessons begin.
Lessons
Lesson 1: Wax On, Wax Off
Daniel began by washing Mr. Miyagi's antique cars, then waxing them. The process of waxing them was tedious, had to be performed with his right hand, and apply the wax in a circular clockwise motion. He then repeated the motion with his left hand, moving counterclockwise. He had to remember to breathe in through his nose and out through his mouth. The lesson took him all day to complete.
Lesson 2: Sand the Floor
Using Japanese sanders and the deck of the Dojo, the motions were completed in a circle with both Daniel's left and right hand. Similar to Lesson 1, only the circles are done in opposite motions. The right hand should motion counter-clockwise and the left hand should move clockwise. Of course, much like the first lesson, he had to be reminded to breathe in and out. This work took him all night to complete, and he complained of sore shoulders after.
Lesson 3: Paint the Fence
- "Oh, okay, I get it. You're teaching me muscle memory. Do it a bunch of times, develop unconscious karate techniques."
- ―Demetri to Daniel LaRusso[src]
Using an ordinary paint brush, plus some cans to reapply, Daniel had to paint the fence surrounding the dojo. To conduct this lesson, Daniel stood in front of the fence and move the brush up and down against the board, with focus on his wrist. For the small boards, he used his left hand, for the big boards, right hand strokes were applied. The lesson isn't over until both sides of the whole fence are painted, and much like the previous two lessons, he couldn't forget to breathe. The work should be done by night as usual.
Lesson 4: Paint the House
Much like Lesson 3, Daniel used a paintbrush and cans, but the use of a ladder was also needed. He moved side-to-side while painting and remembering his breathing techniques. The task took Daniel all-day to complete, and he felt tired and used. He complained that Miyagi was only using him for free labor, unaware of the repetition and muscle memory that he gained from the lesson.
Lesson 5: Show
At this point, Daniel was angry and frustrated with Miyagi. He vented that he hadn't learned anything over the past four days. Miyagi demanded that he show the movements he'd practiced over the few days. Miyagi threw a strike while Daniel "painted the fence" and was shocked too see he learned a block. The same came into play with the other chores, having taught him blocks unknowingly. He realized he'd learned the basic blocks of Miyagi-Do Karate, strengthened and conditioned his body, and gained muscle memory. The two faced one another and bowed while making eye contact.
Lesson 6: Learning Balance
Miyagi and Daniel traveled to the shorefront during high-tide. Daniel had to stand in the midst of the tide. He was instructed to kick while the tide came in, with his goal being to kick the waves without falling over. This taught him strength, balance, and coordination.
Lesson 7: Fishing Review
This particular lesson is meant to accumulate lessons 1 - 6 in the most peculiar, yet effective, way. The pair went on a lake to fish, with Daniel standing on the bow of the boat, trying not to tip it over as he balanced. He practiced his blocks without tipping the boat or scaring the fish away. Mr. Miyagi did ultimately push Daniel into the water.
Lesson 8: Punching
In this lesson, Miyagi dressed in protective gear so Daniel could practice the full-force of his punch. He had to focus the power of his body into the knuckle of his fist. He had to twist his feet, legs, hips, chest, and shoulders, and arms into his fist. He had to make the signature shout, a kiai, upon impact. Daniel tried to fool around when he learned the lesson, doing what Miyagi called the "Ali Shuffle". His lack of focus made Miyagi trip him to get his attention back.
Lesson 9: Focus
Daniel was tasked with a chore similar to that of his beginning lessons. He needed to build walls for a new room in the dojo. To do so, he placed wooden boards side by side and secured them with a manual hammer and nails. However, he had to hit each nail all the way through with one strike. Which required focus, strength, and precision. He found himself losing focus, but had to remember Miyagi's teachings to close his eyes, put his hands in a praying position at the center of his chest, then push his hands forward. He breathed in through his nose and pulled his hands back inward. He repeated this process until he felt better, more focus, and able to continue the task.
Lesson 10: Sparring
Daniel had begun to feel frustrated again at this point. He questioned why he had learned so few lessons, especially in comparison to a more expensive dojo. Miyagi reminded him that each lesson was based on the quality of what he knew, not the quantity. The pair embarked on a sparring match, with Daniel being instructed to land a single hit on Miyagi. When he succeeded, they moved onto another lesson.
Lesson 11: Drum Technique
- "Best way to avoid punch. No be there."
- ―Miyagi to Daniel
The drum technique is not just a lesson, but also the secret to Miyagi-Do Karate. The basis, is based off the aforementioned principal for defense. It requires a Den-Den Daiko or Japanese Pellet Drum. Daniel played around with it for a few minutes to get an understanding of it. Then He and Miyagi went to to Sato's Cannery in Okinawa, as it had ropes and hooks that fit the lesson. He stood in his designated spot, and waited for Miyagi to drop a rope against his body. Then once Miyagi let go, Daniel twisted his body either left or right, and raised the following hand up. It was done in a manner similar to the pellets striking the drum. If done correctly, the hook hit the wall, not Daniel. Daniel also incorporated a counter-punch into the lesson.
Lesson 12: Primary Target
Miyagi taught Daniel how to strike a specific target on the human body while using a distractive technique. He pretended to drop something of importance, so he could bend over. When he was in-line with Daniel's groin he could strike, giving him time to run away. He wanted Daniel to understand that he didn't have to see a fight through to the end, so long as he safely escaped.
Lesson 13: Miyagi-Do Kata
The foundation of Miyagi-Do Karate and the final lesson. This Kata, is based around the workings of the Bonsai Tree. He started with his fists pointing down to the ground, his roots. Then move his arms up to his chest and push them outwards, while opening his hands. The palms facing upwards as he did. Representing the branches growing and the leaves blooming. Then he raised his right hand up to his forehead with his left hand pointing downwards. His body turning and facing right. Then alternate positions, switching his hands and his stance so he was facing left. Representing the tree growing up and the limbs waving in the wind. Then he repeated the pattern until it becomes a natural flow to him.
Challenges
Challenge 1: Catching a Fly
- "Man who catch fly with chopstick, accomplish anything."
- ―Miyagi to Daniel
This is less of an official lesson and more of a challenge that one can do at any point of the training. The purpose of the challenge is based on a the aforementioned quote by Miyagi.
Daniel took a pair of chopsticks into his hand in an attempt to learn how to catch pesky flies with them, something Miyagi was masterful at doing. The lesson trained in focus and precision, while also removing the flies from Miyagi's house.
Challenge 2: The Crane Kick
The Crane Kick is one of Miyagi-Do's most well-known techniques. To learn it, Daniel and Miyagi went to the woods where they located a tree stump. Daniel stood on the narrow diameter with one leg, while simultaneously rising on leg up, his arms into the air, meant to imitate a flamingo or crane with spread wings. He had to master a front kick with his raised leg, meant to land on his other.