Power in Karate

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First and foremost understand that physics are limited, there is a ceiling that when reached cannot be exceeded. This applies to all things in nature and man-made.

Energy, power and force all are limited by a plethora of variables; variables are also limited by variables.

Creativity and Luck are two powers that can effect the outcome of all situations especially as applied in conflict and violence. If you have two karate-ka who are “identical twins.” The twins are absolutely equal physically down to which gene’s are turned on and turned off. There is no deviation in there DNA 🧬 so who would win in a contest? All things being equal the contest would be decided by creativity and/or luck. 

The lesson so far is energy, power and force applied depend on a ton of variables. Some you can control and a lot you cannot control. Energy is generated by movement, power comes from the energy and movement and force is that which transfers from the source to the target resulting in some form of change, usually damage. 

How does one generate energy in movement? First, energy needs a fuel source and that comes from the fuel we consume as humans. The better the fuel the more pure the energy contributing to speed along with what ever mass that person has going into the movement. Depending on direction of you, direction of the adversary and how they meet up at some point matters. Simply moving your mass and using either the fist or hand as a tool does not equate power and force. 

Ever hear of the drop step punch? In the boxing world that simply method has made many a boxer into a champion and even with that method it still can take from one round to many rounds before the opponent finally falls for the ten count. 

Energy generated must be conserved so that it contributes its maximum to the force and power say at the end of one's fist. Any of the physiokinetic principles such as structure, alignment and balance, etc., will either make that efficient and effective or it will bleed off energy thus power and force if one or all are not applied according to the laws of physics. 

If an elbow is not structured and aligned when the fist meets its target, the fists effectiveness is reduced. If the target is not moving or stationary at the time of contact, i.e., moving directly the mass into the oncoming fist or not moving at all then the fists effectiveness is reduced by what ever amount bleeds off due to the misalignment, etc.

How the priniples are applied with levels of force also matter as to the damage and that translates later into appropriate force levels for the defense of self-defense - just getting that in to add another slew of variables that have nothing to do with energy, power and force. 

Take another principle of relaxation and dynamic tension in the methods applied because too much or not enough also leads to energy and power bleed off and waste rather than maximum power and force to the target. Are you confused yet? 

No matter how fast your fist moves, no matter the greater mass you have in relation to the adversary's mass and no matter the conservation of energy in the chain of methods necessary to reach your target if your balance is lost, structure compromised and your mind is in chaos there will be no real force or power when you engage. 

Remember, techniques have little to do with power and force, how they are applied in a chaotic dynamic situation - methodologies - are the paths to power and force. Then we have to consider that the effectiveness and efficiency of our methodologies depend on the proper use of physiokinetic principles. Physiokinetic principles effectively applied depend on then the principles of philosophy, technique and theory for successful application. 

This is JUST the fundamentals I am trying to convey. 

Remember, until one's trial by fire - so to speak - how one trains and applies their skills may or may not be there when needed in the chaotic heat of violence. Many, many, many thoughts, concepts and theories that don't come from hands-on actual combative experiences in the chaos of violence you will NOT KNOW if what you learn, train and practice will work or not work. 

Lets talk about another aspect that will disrupt your calm, destroy your mind-set and mind-state that must be trained is the "art of surprise." Or maybe better, the art of dealing with surprise in the most volatile and dangerous situations imaginable." This is one of those "don't know you don't know yet OR don't know yet because you gain that one by experience." 

Power in karate comes from far more than merely knowing that mass must be in motion, the body must be applying principles of physiokinetic's properly, effectively and efficiently, and the mind must have some setting that will properly trigger to make it all come together in some cohesive manner that says, "Hey, this shit works!"

Kumite won't get you there because it is a tool for the novice; tournaments won't get you there because it is a tool of the competitor; and the dojo won't get you there unless you learn about creativity, luck, surprise and fun along with a reality-based set of concepts that can be applied in a training model that gets you much, much closer to the reality of violence. 

I would rather know how to "get-r-done" in what ever slipshod collection of actions I can muster and apply than learn a hundred kata, win a gazillion trophies or earn the highest levels of belt in the dojo. Now, that would be true power of my karate!SQ

Power in karate basically is learning to use our body and mind to apply certain skills in a violent situation with strength, vitality and mental/physical abilities to generate the kind of power to act in a particular way with honor, humility and ability in influencing the behaviors of others in conflict and violence using only the strength, energy and attributes of my body with the levels of force only necessary to get it done according to the law, social mandates and rules set by myself and those I would protect and defend. 

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