Stopping and Starting Kata

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When we start a kata, as many are taught, we strive to move and end the kata at the same point or at least approximately the same point. This is also part of what one terms, “Embusen Line.” What purpose does this serve? 

Think patterns, patterns provide us something to grasp on to in our minds and makes the learning process much easier. The only hiccup in learning from and about patterns is they tend to stick so that one adheres to them far too much for the discipline of self-protection through self-defense. 

So, in most cases, when one teaches, learns and performs kata they start at a point and assume if they have done it correctly, end at the same point. A good fundamental tool to teach but a bad habit to stick to if one needs to evolve that pattern to a more productive applicable methodology in the chaos of violence. Ergo, why it is a fundamental introductory tool to teach concepts and principles. 

If one actually begins to evolve their kata to expand on concepts and principles then we must modify in a create way the very methods and techniques of that kata. 

Such as modifying distances, directions and movements. Shorten and lengthen stances assumed in the kata for instance then ending at a different point or trying to readjust each method and movement so one still ends up at the same point. Make the kata a live practice once the pattern, rhythm and movements-methodologies-principles-concepts are understood and learned. 

Don’t let yourself or your students get caught up that to do the kata correctly is to stick to a set in stone pattern to include a start point and an end point that is the exact same. this is born of the testing model in karate because one needs something to grade to promote. Counter-productive if one trains and practices for self-protection in self-defense. 

As one achieves successes in kata practice I tend to ignore things like one set pattern or process or context of the kata since it is a tool to reach certain objectives and NOT about actual hands on actions of fighting or defense or protection, etc. It is not the end but a means toward an end such as proper creative application of principled based methodologies to achieve success in protection and defense and security of the person. 

Spending exorbantant amounts of time making sure that one’s hand is in a certain position for a block or blade strike is counter-productive in self-protection but most excellent in the “moving meditative concepts” of one’s philosophical self-help efforts and skills of the kata. 

This is why “context” as a part of any training is critical because philosophy-based self-help is different from sport competitive efforts from self-protection of self-defense in conflicts and violence. The most critical is maintaining the context for the self-protection for self-defense concept because that is the one that often means “serious harm or death.” 

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