Repetitive Practice - the concept …

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What is, “Technical Repetition?” How can its practice, depending on the definition, be with depth through bunkai? Does the ratio of tech rep and in-depth bunkai matter? These are the questions I was able to derive from the following quote from a group member on FaceBook.

“Is it ever appropriate to practice kata in technical repetition only? Must it always be with in depth Bunkai? What would you advice as do ratio between the two? Thoughts?” - on FB Group Wall

The thread’s responses from other practitioners tended toward a particular view or perspective of that individual often stimulated by one part of the entire quotation. One said, “90% technical repetition and 10% bunkai.” The problem with that assessment is it didn’t contain any in-depth explanation as if the reader should, could and would fully and completely understand. Then some actually added in some atomistic particulars that probably spun up out of the depth of memory by the human pension toward what is termed as, “Automatic Thoughts.” AT is about background assumptions about oneself and the people in one’s life that reflect their deepest emotional attitudes. In this example I mean, “The background assumptions about how that person trains, practices and understands martial arts from a distinct and personal belief and viewpoint as it is derived from practice and training with their Sensei and within their dojo - a micro-environment that holds a very narrow perspective on the system or style involved.” 

Yet, the actual full and comprehensive answers to the open ended question remains hidden behind the automatic thought process of relationship thoughts as to technical repetition and in-depth bunkai of which both are not explained and no one will ask for fear of seeming lacking in knowledge and understanding and so on. 

What is technical repetition? Honestly, I have not a clue but I would surmise that it means that a person performs an action as physically and as to adherence to the rules of physics in applying said techniques toward a target. The trouble with this is its lack of completeness as a whole. There are factors that are missing toward this model in application of the essence of martial arts, combating conflict and violence. 

As to actuality, technical repetition is about a repetitive aspect of technical communications but tends to mean nothing in regard to the physical applications of martial arts. In short, technical repetition is not an adequate phrase for the assumed subject and meaning. It is redundant for the term,. “Repetition” as a stand alone way to explain the practice of a form along with bunkai, not in-depth bunkai for that too is a misuse of the term and therefore in need of discard. 

In truth, one should ask, “Is it an appropriate practice and training method to perform ‘Repetitions’ using the ‘Bunkai’ to achieve proficiency in application for self-defense, fighting, combatives or sport oriented competitions?” The second part might be, “Does repetitive practice require bunkai to be a valid form of practice and training toward their applications in fighting, combatives and/or self-defense?”

I have to ask myself, “Did the original question come from a thoughtful consideration as to what kind of knowledge the person was seeking, i.e., is repetition good with or without applications/bunkai?” I think the question came from a hip-shot and that led, for me, to confusion as to what is the actual topic of the discussion the person was trying to bring up in the forum. 

Now, to answer the questions I came up with through the original question after some thought processes to gain a bit of clarity. Repetitive practice is both a good thing and beneficial and a bad thing being not beneficial. The reason for this answer is because, “It depends.” 

It depends on how that repetitive practice is done, the goal of that repetitive practice and how it will be used in training and practice toward the higher goal of self-defense. Repetitive practice with or without bunkai that are missing certain components, i.e., like those discussed in the six phases of training for self-defense, is good to train for a more performance oriented competition like “Kata competitions.” As for fighting/self-defense, not so much if at all. 

One of the reasons why such limited communications, the written question, where a lot of missing information that is assumed first by the person asking and then by those assumptions reached by the person reading the questions and comments leads toward a huge chasm of missing information where intent and content are just a small part lead to misunderstandings, misinformation and in the end incorrect applications that effect the outcome of a fight or self-defense. In other words, it is complicated and such things should be geared more toward stimulation of further research and study rather than the expected definitive answers for there are no definitive answers to questions and concerns regarding conflict and violence. 

Back to repetitive practice with bunkai, depends right? Got it? Now, go forth my young “Padawan” and seek out the answers you desire, need and must have to apply your skills in combat!

Now, lets cover the question, “What is repetition?” Repetition is a simple, effective way to create connections. The most common strategies involve, as to the physical, repeating a movement repetitively. In this instance what is effective is to practice a set of movements then indiscriminately replace or substitute a movement with another movement similar to the first. Use care to ensure that the practitioners and observers do not assume that the new movement is actually a new concept that changes the original, i.e., like changing an original basic technique or movement within a kata, into what some assume is a new basic technique or kata. It also disallows one to practice a particular move or movement without it seeming to be repetitious, i.e., repetitious can promote complacency and complacency breeds a type of rhythm and cadence that loses sight of bunkai, etc.

It is also to be understood that too much repetition can be as damaging as too little. It is about finding a balance much like intense physical strenuous exercise balanced out by an equal and necessary period of rest and relaxation, etc. 

“Developing an effective style is like a balancing act: you do not want to practice too much/little in either direction. However, what counts as too much or too little repetition is not determined by a formula or magic number; rather, the appropriate balance depends on context and intent, etc., structure.” - unknown

In a nutshell, repetitive practice has its place but reality dictates that practice come from what Rory Miller calls, “Playing.” Far more effective and it took me a lifetime to start to understand what Mr. Miller meant - I am getting there, step-by-step and inch-by-inch.

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