Mindful Practice of Martial Systems

I have alluded to practice of karate in mindfulness meditation practice to the internal mind-body in developing attentive and active awareness capability or creation of same in a trait. Now I would like to make an attempt to translate mindfulness into actual practice.

We will assume that anyone and everyone has a deep and thorough knowledge, understanding, and ability in basics/fundamentals of their respective system of practice be in karate, aikido, kendo, or calligraphy. All provide a means to develop the mind-body relationship, etc.

How many find themselves performing basic upper and lower techniques in a forward/backward/reverse line mindlessly so they get maximum effect of physical effort? Mindful practice of the basic waza, in Isshinryu systems that equates to upper and lower body basic hand/foot techniques, is performed with active mental intent. If you were practicing the basic straight or reverse punch you would want to actively think, visualize, etc. the foot moving forward in a crescent manner with an imaginary opponent so that leg/foot sweeps in and dislodges the forward leg of the opponent. The appropriate hand/arm/fist comes up to center line and places at the solar plexus while the mind sees it, the target, the imaginary opponent and then imagines it hitting target and penetrating to that vertical axis line at the center of the body. Active mindful practice of the basic straight/reverse punch with intent, etc.

If you are working kata are you mindfully present for each and every step, technique, imaginary opponent, counter techniques appropriate to the kata bunkai, basic, so it can be applied with present moment mindful practice?

If you find yourself going through the motions because you "think" you have to do it that way for it to work instinctively then I suggest a reevaluation of practice in general. This basic fundamental is necessary BEFORE you practice the tori-n-uke relationship/practice.

I am not advocating you stop the ROTE practice for the physical benefits yet if it remains primary and exclusive you will find yourself dropping into the sport set combinations of current day sparring. Use it for what it can be beneficial for in that context but to make it work in real fighting scenarios you must mindfully practice at all times.

Your mindful practice is what gives substance to karate/karate-do. It is the substance that translates meaningful and reality based practice into combative self protection methods that can and do work.