Physical readiness
Be alert in mind, body, and spirit. A vigorous regimen of training is emphasized, including drills which will develop cardio-fitness, mental alertness, and maturity of character. As the beginner progresses, the student will develop mental focus and will learn how to learn, while the senior student learns to empty their cup and maintain every day a beginner's mind.

Basic (Kihon) exercises
A house with a poor foundation will inevitably fall. Students of Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai begin training with an introduction to the fifteen basic techniques developed by Master Tatsuo Shimabuku. Included are various blocks, strikes, and thrusts which will form the foundation of your karate training. Proficiency in the basic techniques are emphasized throughout all ranks, both at the beginner level as well as with the accomplished student.

Kata (prearranged fighting forms)
Kata is the essence of your Karate. Following learning of the Basics and the Pinan I and II forms developed by Shihan Dale Jenkins, the student will begin to learn the eight formal Isshinryu Kata in the following order (descriptions taken from "An Education in the Martial Arts" by Dale Jenkins, copyright 1979, Professional Arts Academy):

Seisan Kata - from Shorin Ryu, emphasizes weight equally distributed and straight forward fighting techniques.
Seiuchin Kata - from Gojo Ryu, emphasizes a strong stance and contains reinforced blocks and punches and introduces some advanced breathing control.
Nai Hanchi Kata - from Shorin Ryu, it is known for its iron horse stance and fake kicks. Designed for fighting side to side as if backed to a wall, and close in fighting.
Wansu Kata - from Shorin Ryu, contains general fighting techniques and a throwing technique.
Chinto Kata - from Shorin Ryu, emphasizes advanced pivoting form and narrow angle fighting.
Kusan-Ku Kata - from Shorin Ryu, contains parts designed for fighting in the dark.
Suansu Kata - only Kata developed totally by Master Tatsuo Shimabuku. It contains the essence of hard and soft, a mixture of strong stance techniques and quick movements.
Sanchin Kata - from Gojo Ryu, places emphasis on the correct use of eyes, breathing, and posture. Teaches the trainee to develop a "soft-hard" type of movement so as to develop maximum speed and power.

Kumite (free fighting)
Power without control is dangerous. As any experienced fighter will attest, it is much easier to throw a technique than it is to control its path. Students will develop control, increasing accuracy and reducing wasted effort, allowing increased endurance and speed. Kumite drills include randori kumite (fluid movement), ippon kumite (one movement) and shiho kumite (emphasizes block and counter, with one person in center of a circle of multiple attackers).

Weapons (kubudo)
Weapons are merely extensions of your hands. Weapons training is reserved for black belt (Dan grade) students and high ranking brown belt students (Ik-kyu). It is believed that one cannot master control of an instrument without mastering control of the hand which holds that instrument. Formal weapons kata include: Kusan-Ku-Sai, Chatan-Yari No Sai, Tokumine No Kun, Urashi-Bo, and Shi-Shi No Kun Nodai. Additional weapons kata include: Kihon Bo and Kihon Sai (both developed by Shihan Dale Jenkins), and a short sai kata. A nunchuku kata, kama katas and a tonfa kata are reserved for high ranking Dans, 4th and above. Weapons drills include bo-bo kumite and bo-sai kumite.

Empty hand drills and self-defense
Borrowing the best from each. Numerous empty hand drills comprise a large portion of the Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai curriculum. Included are 14 shobu techniques (dai-ich) and multiple attack routines 1 & 2, developed by Shihan Dale Jenkins, 9 shobu techniques (dai-ni) and 6 knife defense techniques developed by Hanshi William H. Duessel. A 12-step kumite drill, one of Kyoshi Kristensen's contributions, and various other drills passed down from Shihan A. J. Advincula and Shihan Teruo Chinen of Goju-Ryu are also taught. Self defense techniques encompass all elements of Kyoshi Kristensen's training, including grappling, ground fighting, Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, and Gong Fu.