This should be done with a light bokuto and saya so as to be able to focus on the proper form and technique, not on strength or speed! Stand up practice should be done before seiza techniques, especially for beginners. Go slowly to get the "feel" of the proper technique. Every movement comes from the hara. For each movement, push the hara forward and slightly down, while opening the chest. Speed and strength come only after correct form.
 
Points to remember:
01. All movements come from the hara.
02. Go slowly.
03. Use very little strength.
04. Make all of your movements large.
05. Keep movements natural and flowing.
06. At the end of kirioroshi, the sword must be pulled in naturally toward your body.
07. Fast kata are easier to do than slow ones...go slowly and watch for correctness.
08. You must study with the head but also with the body: use this exercise at the beginning of each practice as a 20 minute warm-up.
09. Kan ken no metsuke: look at everything, do not keep your focus only on the opponent in front of you!
10. Every action in Iaido should have the same feeling as kirioroshi.
11. Advanced students may take larger steps forward when cutting and add a slight okuri ashi, being sure to sink the body when cutting.
12. A true koryu kirioroshi ends below body level to facilitate chiburui. However, for the purposes of practicing kihon, stop the sword only slightly below level.
13. For all of the following techniques, use the preceding kihon.
14. Be sure to go slowly and use large circular movements!
15. Use jo ha kyu for all movements with the sword.
16. *Begin practice with almost no strength or speed. As you progress, increase the use of jo ha kyu but continue with very little strength or speed until the kihon are firmly established.
17. *Note that the kata described here are the basic forms, the kaiwaza {variations} are not described.
18. Go slowly and move continuously without stopping.
19. Perform an entire kata sequence and not just parts.
20. Be aware of your use of the hara: all movements and cuts should come from there.
21. Keep the hara forward and the chest and back straight and slightly back.
22. Keep flexible.
23. Practice with a very light bokuto until your kiso are extremely good, then go on to iaito and then to a shinken.
24. Practice each kata two or three times, then go on to the next. Go through the whole set this way.
 
Iwata Sensei stresses two important points:
1. KIGURAI at the beginning of a kata. This is a strong feeling directed toward the opponent. It is correctly done with a strong and slow feeling in the hara.
2. FUKAKU at the end of a kata. This is a feeling of proper posture, strength, and dignity that shows your spirit and focus.
 
*Most importantly of all is to remember "raku ni"...be "natural" and fluid.
Note that the kihon for all techniques are contained in Mae. For this reason, the remainder of techniques will not be given in such detail as this first one. Refer to the preceding basic practice for further details.