I've enjoyed watching ballroom dancing for a few years now with the advent of shows such as "So You Think You Can Dance?" and "Dancing With The Stars". One thing I've learned is for a routine to be successful there has to be a lead partner and a compliant partner. The lead is in control: spinning, throwing and moving the partner in synchronization to the music. The compliant partner accepts the lead's direction and moves in harmony with the lead. Together they perform a moving "work of art", which can touch all emotions depending on the music and choreography.
How does this apply to kata? I think the answer is in thinking of yourself as the lead when practicing kata. You are in control. You are moving your "partner" at will. You are "choreographing" your "dance". Of course there's one slight problem: your partner isn't compliant - at least not initially. That's where decisive, aggressive action comes into play. By "taking the lead", the initiative, you are controlling the situation which will either lead to a compliant partner ("I give up!"), or at least a temporarily disabled partner, allowing you to "dance away" to safety.
I had thought about naming this post "What Do Kata and the Waltz have in Common?" since the waltz's basic step is a 1-2-3, 1-2-3.... It's a relatively simple dance for learning the basics, but can be extraordinarily complex when performed by expert ballroom dancers. In self defense though simpler is almost always the best course of action to take. Gross motor skills are effective and easier to learn, so keep this in mind when interpreting kata techniques and keep sequences short thinking combinations of 1-2-3 (evaluate on-the-fly) 1-2-3. Remember all you need to do is enough to give yourself the opportunity to escape.
Well that's all for now.
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