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Kata
Training: Part 1
By: Dave
Nielsen, Soke
There have been many
articles and books written on kata training. There are as many different beliefs
about this form of training as there are species of living organisms. It is to
the very basic traditional view that I will express my views on this
subject.
Kata training is essential
to the development of your karate. It is the essence of your karate. All basic
techniques are developed in the proper training of kata along with the proper
breathing, balance, and spirit (ki) that are essential elements for each
kata.
We Westerners are rookies
to the martial arts and have turned them into mostly sporting events which do
not embrace the true essence and values of karate. Kata was developed in India
and China long before it reached Okinawa and later Japan. On its surface level
there must at the very least be something of value in it.
Unfortunately most
students and I'm sorry to say, instructors here in the United States, believe
that kata are basically just a set form of standard moves to help train the
basics. This belief but scratches at the surface of kata training.
If you train in a
traditional karate school that can trace its lineage back to a master from
Okinawa or China, and your instructor is still training under that lineage, than
your chances of training kata correctly are very high indeed. Kata are not just
a set or sequence of moves. Books or Videos in no way can teach anyone a kata.
Books and videos do not explain breathing, body shifting, balance of weight, and
correct speed and motion. Furthermore, kata must be learned at different levels
until all of even the tiniest of movements are refined to their best form. If
your instructor is training continuously with his or her senior instructor, and
they stress the kata in your particular style of karate, than you have a good
chance of learning the true essence of karate.
Kata were not developed by
the "Masters" for fun and games. There must be a deeper reason why they exist.
If you belong to a traditional style of karate and prove yourself to your
instructors through your long and hard training and dedication, you will be
taught more about each kata that you have learned along your way up the kyu
grades. One can never master a kata or truly know a kata.
Know that this is the
single most important practice that you can do. Practice your kata relentlessly
everyday. Practice each move in your mind. Physically go through the kata fast
and slow. Do them totally relaxed and do them totally tight. Visualize the kata
before you do them. Do them in a small area to practice in and in a large area.
The point is to do them over and over and over again. Then let your instructors
help you refine them.
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Speed Your
Martial Arts Training
by Craig S. Kiessling
Historical
Outline Of Karate-do, Martial Arts Of Ryukyu
by Sensei Chojun
Miyagi
Translated by San Zinsoo
Kata Training Part
One
by Dave Nielsen, Soke
Kata Training
Part Two
by Dave Nielsen, Soke
Chambering
By Victor Smith and Christopher Caile
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