Huh?
Exactly. I'm not up on my Japanese Shotokan terminology, but what I'm describing is the path you have drawn by performing the kata - imagine near the ocean's edge on a clean sandy slightly damp beach.
There are so many ways to work through kata and one I truly enjoy is reducing my footprint while performing kata in confined spaces such as one-car garages, narrow driveways, gravel bike paths, small patches of woodland... there are so many choices. The necessity of quick shifting while reversing the feet - stepping back while simultaneously stepping forward is a great way of focusing technique. The body must be sufficiently relaxed to quick-shift the feet, yet maintain a firm path of travel through the entire kata. Pivoting is nearly always centered under the body's center of gravity. Attention must be paid to good body position and dynamics to maximize each technique to its full potential.
I firmly believe doing so is actually more realistic compared to potential movement in a real self defense situations. Body shifting is enhanced, maximizing useful space is stressed and realistic imagination is furthered by "seeing and feeling" combinations built into the kata.
Try it and envision striking, grabbing and controlling, throwing and taking down... as well as evasion, multi-angle attacking, quick redirecting within a four by four, or smaler, patch of ground... it's all there so do it.
Well, that's all for now.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Thursday, July 31, 2014
What Do Kata and Ballroom Dancing Have in Common?
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.
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.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Single Track Training for Kihon in Shotokan Karate
So far, it's been a great season for outdoor training in Shotokan-style karate.
Currently I have five outdoor locations where I practice my flavor of Shotokan karate. My current favorite though is the canal park about a mile down the road from where I live. I walk and run the single track trails; I also use them for warming up with dynamic stretches and movements, as well as fundamental kihon practice. It's great training, in my opinion, dealing with the nuances of the trail's terrain: grass covered, hard pack dirt, light gravel, mud, leaves and rocks - it's all part of the mix. Strong attacks into forward stances must be tempered by allowing immediate shifting and sliding while maintaining balance and forceful movement.
Much is learned when practicing with a variety of surfaces and terrain: better shorten your stances if the ground is slippery from mud, rain or gravel. Learn which stances are best when facing up or down hill, when the ground is deeply deformed or when you are moving from one surface type to another. Learn how to use the terrain to your advantage: position yourself on the high ground, on the sure-footed surfaces, with the sun at your back, with an escape route available.
Another spot I've recently discovered is along the gravel trail between the Betzwood picnic area of Valley Forge National Park and Pawlings Road. This spot a flat dirt packed piece of ground under an ancient deceased tree. Today I worked Tekki's Shodan, Nidan and Sandan keeping in mind the surrounding plants, branches, rocks and other obstacles on the ground. It's a great spot - kind of like a magical "dojo in the woods". A 20x20 foot piece of real estate made for karate training: level with a forgiving surface.
Possibly the best part of the canal park is the small glade of mature hardwood trees spread about a quarter of an acre: perfect for kata training - shaded level ground. On another note, I've decided to dedicate the rest of July to Bassai Sho and Hangetsu, with other kata interspersed of course. Grass is such a great surface for exercise: it's typically a bit forgiving if the ground isn't too hard packed. It offers just enough slipperiness in the right circumstances to make it challenging and also challenges based on it's height and thickness.
So I encourage you to get out and train your martial art outdoors. It's healthy and fun!
Well, that's all for now.
Currently I have five outdoor locations where I practice my flavor of Shotokan karate. My current favorite though is the canal park about a mile down the road from where I live. I walk and run the single track trails; I also use them for warming up with dynamic stretches and movements, as well as fundamental kihon practice. It's great training, in my opinion, dealing with the nuances of the trail's terrain: grass covered, hard pack dirt, light gravel, mud, leaves and rocks - it's all part of the mix. Strong attacks into forward stances must be tempered by allowing immediate shifting and sliding while maintaining balance and forceful movement.
Much is learned when practicing with a variety of surfaces and terrain: better shorten your stances if the ground is slippery from mud, rain or gravel. Learn which stances are best when facing up or down hill, when the ground is deeply deformed or when you are moving from one surface type to another. Learn how to use the terrain to your advantage: position yourself on the high ground, on the sure-footed surfaces, with the sun at your back, with an escape route available.
Another spot I've recently discovered is along the gravel trail between the Betzwood picnic area of Valley Forge National Park and Pawlings Road. This spot a flat dirt packed piece of ground under an ancient deceased tree. Today I worked Tekki's Shodan, Nidan and Sandan keeping in mind the surrounding plants, branches, rocks and other obstacles on the ground. It's a great spot - kind of like a magical "dojo in the woods". A 20x20 foot piece of real estate made for karate training: level with a forgiving surface.
Possibly the best part of the canal park is the small glade of mature hardwood trees spread about a quarter of an acre: perfect for kata training - shaded level ground. On another note, I've decided to dedicate the rest of July to Bassai Sho and Hangetsu, with other kata interspersed of course. Grass is such a great surface for exercise: it's typically a bit forgiving if the ground isn't too hard packed. It offers just enough slipperiness in the right circumstances to make it challenging and also challenges based on it's height and thickness.
So I encourage you to get out and train your martial art outdoors. It's healthy and fun!
Well, that's all for now.
Monday, April 28, 2014
What To Do With The Thumbs?
Well, I can tell you emphatically I'm too old to suck them... :-)
Instead, from a karate perspective, how are the thumbs engaged during the process of applying open hand techniques?
I practice opened handed techniques as part of my self defense focused training. In each case I keep my thumbs tucked in for safety's sake. Often though I see pictures or watch slow motion educational bunkai videos on Youtube which show the thumbs sticking straight out while applying these types of techniques.
Personally I believe having the thumb sticking out simply increases the chances of injury to it during application. It's not difficult at all to have the thumbs get briefly stuck in loose clothing, or limbs while moving through the technique in a full throttle situation.
Instead I tuck my thumbs in: whether it's a knife hand, palm heel, spear hand or finger strike, the thumbs are tucked in. This further engages the muscles of the hands which make them stronger while making contact, but more importantly, protects them from serious injury. Keep in mind the hand loses much of its functionality with the thumb injured, so protecting it is common sense and part of self preservation.
Well, that's all for now...
Instead, from a karate perspective, how are the thumbs engaged during the process of applying open hand techniques?
I practice opened handed techniques as part of my self defense focused training. In each case I keep my thumbs tucked in for safety's sake. Often though I see pictures or watch slow motion educational bunkai videos on Youtube which show the thumbs sticking straight out while applying these types of techniques.
Personally I believe having the thumb sticking out simply increases the chances of injury to it during application. It's not difficult at all to have the thumbs get briefly stuck in loose clothing, or limbs while moving through the technique in a full throttle situation.
Instead I tuck my thumbs in: whether it's a knife hand, palm heel, spear hand or finger strike, the thumbs are tucked in. This further engages the muscles of the hands which make them stronger while making contact, but more importantly, protects them from serious injury. Keep in mind the hand loses much of its functionality with the thumb injured, so protecting it is common sense and part of self preservation.
Well, that's all for now...
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Tried A Couple Different Things
Thank God spring has arrived in the Philadelphia region of Pennsylvania!
I have four or so outdoor areas within a ten minute drive where I practice my outdoor karate, primarily through kata. A couple of newer spots have nice single track trails, which make excellent trail running training. Another couple spots have a nice ten foot wide gravel and dirt trail which I've used for practicing kata and kihon training. I spend less of my training time on kihon, well specifically air kihon. Still I certainly believe it has its place. My typical kihon training though, is against one of two heavy bags I own ninety percent of the time.
Anyway, I decided the trails were perfect places to practice my attack oriented kihon training. By that I mean I tend to stride and slide into a technique, meaning I'll land in such a way that my foot, while solidly connected to the ground is capable of moving as my momentum may take it. I don't want to fight against the ground, I want it to fight with me as my partner.
Last Thursday I practiced twenty repetitions of the basic kihon taught to new students along the wide gravel trail. One technique per stride. In my mind though I envision these movements as attacks. Each one a decisive strike to end the threat. My stride length is seventy-five percent of a stride on a solid, safe surface like a clean dojo floor. Also, the back knee is always kept slightly bent for cushioning and stability. Friday (yesterday) I worked twenty reps each side of my front-snap, side-snap and roundhouse-snap kicks down the single track trail along the Schuylkill River. Great training with the uneven ground providing extra incentive to perform the kicks correctly!
Both exercises proved very fruitful I thought. Transitions between techniques was loose and relaxed, with focus on good balance, positioning and recovery. I think I'll be adding these as regular parts of my outdoor training, we'll see how it goes...
Well that's all for now...
I have four or so outdoor areas within a ten minute drive where I practice my outdoor karate, primarily through kata. A couple of newer spots have nice single track trails, which make excellent trail running training. Another couple spots have a nice ten foot wide gravel and dirt trail which I've used for practicing kata and kihon training. I spend less of my training time on kihon, well specifically air kihon. Still I certainly believe it has its place. My typical kihon training though, is against one of two heavy bags I own ninety percent of the time.
Anyway, I decided the trails were perfect places to practice my attack oriented kihon training. By that I mean I tend to stride and slide into a technique, meaning I'll land in such a way that my foot, while solidly connected to the ground is capable of moving as my momentum may take it. I don't want to fight against the ground, I want it to fight with me as my partner.
Last Thursday I practiced twenty repetitions of the basic kihon taught to new students along the wide gravel trail. One technique per stride. In my mind though I envision these movements as attacks. Each one a decisive strike to end the threat. My stride length is seventy-five percent of a stride on a solid, safe surface like a clean dojo floor. Also, the back knee is always kept slightly bent for cushioning and stability. Friday (yesterday) I worked twenty reps each side of my front-snap, side-snap and roundhouse-snap kicks down the single track trail along the Schuylkill River. Great training with the uneven ground providing extra incentive to perform the kicks correctly!
Both exercises proved very fruitful I thought. Transitions between techniques was loose and relaxed, with focus on good balance, positioning and recovery. I think I'll be adding these as regular parts of my outdoor training, we'll see how it goes...
Well that's all for now...
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Kicking The Bucket
No, not that "kicking the bucket"...don't be so morbid!
I tried something I've been meaning to test for the last couple of years. I took an old bucket and a bungie cord down to the tennis courts last night and attached the cord and bucket to the fence in one of the corners creating a triangle with the bucket hanging freely. What I wanted was a way of working kicks with something that provided movement and feed back, but without weight like a heavy bag. The bungie cord stretched about five feet so the bucket would slide considerably depending on the area struck and the type of kick. I found it a great way to work on footwork, timing and distance - focusing solely on kicking and body shifting.
By using the fence I was able to adjust the height as well: for my front snap, side snap and roundhouse kicks I kept the bucket at my lower abdominal level. For working my side thrust kick I raised it to my chest level. Next time I'll place it knee level for practicing more self defense style kicks.
Another side benefit of using an empty bucket (all plastic) is it helps build reaction timing as well. When struck directly the bucket swings around 360 degrees, which means it will strike you back when stepping in after the kick. It's a great reminder to keep your hands up ready to block or deflect an incoming attack!
Well, that's all for now...
I tried something I've been meaning to test for the last couple of years. I took an old bucket and a bungie cord down to the tennis courts last night and attached the cord and bucket to the fence in one of the corners creating a triangle with the bucket hanging freely. What I wanted was a way of working kicks with something that provided movement and feed back, but without weight like a heavy bag. The bungie cord stretched about five feet so the bucket would slide considerably depending on the area struck and the type of kick. I found it a great way to work on footwork, timing and distance - focusing solely on kicking and body shifting.
By using the fence I was able to adjust the height as well: for my front snap, side snap and roundhouse kicks I kept the bucket at my lower abdominal level. For working my side thrust kick I raised it to my chest level. Next time I'll place it knee level for practicing more self defense style kicks.
Another side benefit of using an empty bucket (all plastic) is it helps build reaction timing as well. When struck directly the bucket swings around 360 degrees, which means it will strike you back when stepping in after the kick. It's a great reminder to keep your hands up ready to block or deflect an incoming attack!
Well, that's all for now...
Saturday, March 22, 2014
All You Need Is?
Well, love of course, but in this case, I'm writing about what largely defines how you perform your kata.
The answer is "Imagination". Not fanciful mental structuring of techniques which subdues your enemy and earns you style points, but a realistic interpretation of each techniques' intent: it's attack and defense strengths and weaknesses. For me each kata is a series of interchangeable techniques which can be combined in a myriad of ways. The original performance of the entire kata should always follow the ark of training under your predominant style, but I firmly believe each person must stamp each kata learned with his or her own personal interpretation, which is what solidifies their understanding of its intent in real world situations.
Like stated in many sports, vivid intentioned imagination of successful and interpretive (in the case of artistic sports) techniques, is what separates the champions from everyone else. But again, the techniques in karate and other martial endeavors, must have a legitimate, feasible purpose which quickly ends a self defense situation. Good kata is when these types of techniques are applied in a powerful and well balanced manner displaying the kata's intent in an artistic way.
For me, distance is the first thing I think of when analyzing a technique. Does it make more sense when applied in close, mid distance, or longer distance? What is each limbs purpose? Work through different potential applications mentally and arrive at two or three that seem reasonable for applying under stressful situations. Keep in mind each limb is most certainly actively engaged in completing a successful application of attack. Pushing, pulling; twisting, dropping; tripping, throwing; striking, kicking - all are alternatives when working out the applications of the kata. Some seem obvious, a punch is a punch, isn't it? Think! Consider! And learn so much more...
Well, that's all for now...
The answer is "Imagination". Not fanciful mental structuring of techniques which subdues your enemy and earns you style points, but a realistic interpretation of each techniques' intent: it's attack and defense strengths and weaknesses. For me each kata is a series of interchangeable techniques which can be combined in a myriad of ways. The original performance of the entire kata should always follow the ark of training under your predominant style, but I firmly believe each person must stamp each kata learned with his or her own personal interpretation, which is what solidifies their understanding of its intent in real world situations.
Like stated in many sports, vivid intentioned imagination of successful and interpretive (in the case of artistic sports) techniques, is what separates the champions from everyone else. But again, the techniques in karate and other martial endeavors, must have a legitimate, feasible purpose which quickly ends a self defense situation. Good kata is when these types of techniques are applied in a powerful and well balanced manner displaying the kata's intent in an artistic way.
For me, distance is the first thing I think of when analyzing a technique. Does it make more sense when applied in close, mid distance, or longer distance? What is each limbs purpose? Work through different potential applications mentally and arrive at two or three that seem reasonable for applying under stressful situations. Keep in mind each limb is most certainly actively engaged in completing a successful application of attack. Pushing, pulling; twisting, dropping; tripping, throwing; striking, kicking - all are alternatives when working out the applications of the kata. Some seem obvious, a punch is a punch, isn't it? Think! Consider! And learn so much more...
Well, that's all for now...
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