Dutten';s Angel - On Kata Here

[Budoguy]

Kata embodies the principles of movement. It is best to begin concieving of a sphere of energy which orginates in the body center. For me it originates in the center, but comes up about as high as my chest.

I had a male and a female karate instructor, I actually trained longer with the female instructor. She was poetry in motion, her kata had a precision I had rarely seen. And to spar with her, not that we had the skills to try, but she attacked quickly and hitting her back was like striking at a candle flame, she moved to fast, too fluidly to counter.

She once went to a hard ass kung fu club where the old boys thought they would have a go. The teacher put an armlock on her and asked what she would do. She responded by throwing him 180 degrees in a big arc, he ended up rolling into the wall in a pile. They shut up after that, and she never returned to "Sifu" whatshisname.

Each kata is a complete self defense system. In the old days, you would only train one kata over a 2-4 year period, usually about 3. Hidden in the kata there are dozens of movements. Each kata includes counters to punches, kicks, ground attacks.

Don't be discouraged about kata, and don't listen to young firebrands who think they no longer need these basics. They watch a few videos, take a little Muay Thai, a little Judo and little this a little that.

One strike is all that is needed to end a fight. With timing and precision, that strike can be delivered. Without these qualities, even great strength and breadth of techniques are worthless.


Be persistant, kata training will take you to places you never imagined. The masters who perfected them were in a state of samadhi, or moving meditation, when they were conceived. By working with that lineage, the same state will occur for you when, and here is the catch, when you find your center. Its a lifetime study.

[Budoguy]

BTW

Have a look at Ian Abernathy's site. Good approach to karate, if budo (street effectiveness) is what you are after.

BTW, I have been teaching karate and self defense for women, gay and transgendered for about 10 years. I have also taught kids and people with disabilities. Ian's site is pretty good, I am not Shotokan, but his information will probably help you with the fighting applications and a deeper understanding of the use of kata for bushido.


http://www.shotokankata.com/Articles/iain_abernethy.htm


Cheers

[ryanhall]

i really don't like to flame people, but due to the ridiculousness of this post, i can't help myself:

One strike is all that is needed to end a fight. With timing and precision, that strike can be delivered. Without these qualities, even great strength and breadth of techniques are worthless.

you can only hope that you will won't someday fall victim to your own bull$hit. my guess: you someday will. good luck. i'm sure the guys in the icu will appreciate the practice time you'll give them.

Be persistant, kata training will take you to places you never imagined. The masters who perfected them were in a state of samadhi, or moving meditation, when they were conceived. By working with that lineage, the same state will occur for you when, and here is the catch, when you find your center. Its a lifetime study.

will it take me on a magical mystery tour? wait, i don't need kata for that, i've got the beatles, and it only cost me $15--not a lifetime of study. if i study my kata hard enough, will i be able to use the Force? "there is no try." sadly, my life is a little busy for me to remain in a state of moving meditation. i guess i'll just have to find another way...

i almost feel bad about this one, but i can't decide if it's for those who wased precious seconds of their life reaing this or the person who actually believed it enough to post it. i can only hope that this is some 10 year old kid who has seen the karate kid too many times.

ryan

[Budoguy]

Ryan, you don't know what you are talking about, but jabber away if it makes you feel better.

[ryanhall]

believe me, i will. your post was a whole lot of nonsense. please. give me a break.

[Budoguy]

Ho hum

[Lost Ronin]

Hey Budoguy, chill! What's up with you and other people's opinions? Man, I have heard about living on the edge but damn! ( By the way, sorry about that whole "pimple incident".) You know what man, I thought maybe I offended you so I decided to take a look at your other posts. But now I have come to a conclusion, you are probably some middle-aged dude that bitterly resents us younger, 50 pounds lighter Muay Thai guys. Why do you have to get all nippy with somebody that doesn't agree with you? That's what a forum is all about, it's about sharing and comparing, not telling everybody else that they don't know jack squat and that they should go and practice their katas. You call yourself "Budoguy", you don't know anything about Budo, my former Karate master would blow chunks if he saw the way you carry yourself and relate to other people. Try to listen to other people, maybe you'll learn something new.

[eXcessiveForce]

well i'm gonna stay out of this one for the most part because if I start in Ryan will lock it like he did my Kata Thread.

I have to say I'm not sure what to think about the orginal post. However I do believe Kata to be a useful training tool but insufficient in and of itself to train for combat.

I do however think someone who has not trained at all vs. someone who has at least done Kata seriously when confronted the person who has trained Kata will do better simply because they have started training their body and mind to respond.

[ryanhall]

Hey EF. I only lock a thread when it goes overboard with insults and unproductive bickering. That's what a Moderator does. I don't lock threads because I disagree with them or the people who post in them.