We all assume we know it when we see a powerful kata but what is a powerful kata? Power is something that is felt but often cannot be seen except when applied correctly to a target thereby the results of a powerful technique to the target manifests itself in the results but those results are also open to the question of that power as either a physical one or a mental one.
We don’t want to assume just because the target drops that it was due to power as the mind-set/mind-state of the target may actually be the reason they drop or it actually could be the power applied physically causing one to drop. The latter seems less plausible simply because there are instances when great power is applied yet the mind-set/mind-state results in the target, or adversary, continuing to deliver violence and damage to the proponent applying self-defense.
So, what is powerful kata? It is often a misconception and perception of power through manifestation of certain sounds or appearances that allude to power when in realty the type of power demonstrated is not the power one needs to apply to a target. The sudden tension of muscle, tendon and skeletal system making a uniform sleeve or trouser leg snap seems like it is powerful but is it? The tension throughout a kata movement or applied technique also seems powerful but if we are using muscular strength in dynamic tension throughout that kata that is energy consumed by the body and not being applied to the target, right?
Powerful kata demonstrations are more about the perception of power in a competitive arena where the esthetics of the performance is studied and critiqued as to form, not necessarily function (function in my view as applicable toward self-defense rather than a gymnastic type performance for score.), where the goal is to look good and look powerful yet powerful not in application for self-defense but rather to placate the perceptions of power to those who are not familiar with powerful force applied against a violent attacker.
It is like the exhausting, stressful and straining vocal cords when one shouts a “kiai” so that they present the perception of spirit in kata performance. Such excessive shouting is not truthful to the actual kiai technique. Until one actually applies such things in a violent situation with all that it brings will they actually begin to understand what power is and how it works in relation to force and other principles of martial discipline as it applies to self-defense, not sport, competition or the way of the warrior.
If you are actually exhausted after your kata and you rush through your kata and you don’t have proper visualizations, etc., applied while practicing, not performing but actually practicing, your kata, i.e., the substance underlying all kata practice, then your energy, power and force are remaining in the body and being applied to the skeletal system, joints, ligaments, cartilage, muscles, etc. The more you waste and bleed off internally the less you will actually apply to your target.
It must be remembered that for self-defense martial arts you have to apply maximum force and power in the shortest and quickest amount of time under the pressure and stress of an aggressive, determined, dangerous person applying the force of surprise, fear, pain through a hard, fast, and close attack more often from the flank or your rear. You actually want to practice kata to achieve truly powerful force and power to the target while addressing such obstacles while under an adrenal flood stress, fear and freeze type conditions fast enough to at least survive. Your mind-set/mind-state must be truthful and honest to yourself first because there will be no judges to stop the fight, no referees to call out infractions of the rules (there are no rules) and no tapping out if things go wrong - it will be you, you alone and your abilities as practiced, trained and applied that will save the day.
Just Something to Think About ……
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