Kata is a wonderful training tool. It is a drill. It is perceived to be the source of technique application against an assailant. This is true yet do we actually utilize kata tools adequately for real attacks?
Some do and some don't. I speak once again to those who have come to believe completely that all kata "must be practiced as originally taught by the systems founders/creators." As my past post on this speaks, this is limited, stifling and stunting.
When you truly lean and understand how techniques must be trained and drilled for real life violent encounters then analyze these original kata forms you will find they are missing many of the principles of martial systems.
Ok, you will here those who believe in this dogmatic doctrine of kata originality say that all those principles are "hidden" within the kata but I would disagree. Why would they hide them? We can also receive those "stories" that is was to protect and hide it from the Samurai conquerers but I find this also hard to accept since the practice itself was hidden so why hide the techniques.
Kata as a tool for beginners should remain intact as originally intended yet for the kata to become a tool for drilling or the use of drills, etc. must "change" or "meta-morph into more" to become adequate and applicable to combat. Once a novice learns the gross movements, then the finer points and the fundamental principles-applications then it needs to be adjusted if it remains a tool for combat.
My systems kata do not provide for the movement off-centeredness. They tend to move forward, reverse and then left/right as applicable. None of them actually promote moving or visualization of a move to either 22.5 degrees to the left-forward/right-forward/left-rear/right-rear to name just a few. You will notice when seisan-no-te starts with the first three moves it is directly into the attacker. In a nutshell this is not how to apply the principles of martial power.
So, use the kata with adherence to the originals but allow them to morph as the practitioner needs so the come "alive" and become "applicable for combat drilling and training."
Make sense? Yes? No? Maybe?
p.s. those who have professed in the past that kata have not use or real combat purpose make that distinction because they are not aware that kata must be more than the dogmatic original set patterns, etc. but fluid and allowed to morph and grow to the uniqueness of individuals. If they were taught how to do this then the kata would take on meaning and substance to combat.
p.s.s. allow that mind-body to achieve success in the martial arts. Don't allow the mind to become fixed and rigid; allow it freedom to expand and encompass all that is and all that can be ...
Hey, Attention on Deck!
Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!
When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:
I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me
I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me
I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull
I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death
I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed
I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes
I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados
I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers
The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn
Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung
WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE
The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)
“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)
“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne
I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.
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