Let's KISS, Shall We?

I hope you didn't pucker up...

What I meant was: Let's Keep It Simple Shotokan (practitioner).

When looking at realistic applications for kata techniques keep in mind if they are ever to be useful in a self defense situation, they need to be simple: simple to understand and simple to apply. Think gross motor skills being applied under potentially very stressful situations.

One aspect of self training I enjoy is coming up with applications which, to me, meet the above criteria. One way I accomplish this is thinking of each technique being used in an attacking manner, rather than defending then attacking. When breaking down kata into bits and pieces my goal is to start with strikes of some sort followed by a control or throw, ending with retreating.

For me, there are no "mysterious and secret" techniques in kata, just straightforward applications with the intent of ending the conflict as quickly as possible. While I acknowledge there are more sensitive areas of the body better suited for attacking, in a self defense situation under extreme duress I believe hitting anywhere hard which has presented itself as an opening will suffice to, at the least, present the more vulnerable areas for attack.

That's all for now.

Training in Street Clothes

I've been self training for nearly four years now and the vast majority of it has been done in comfortable street clothes - foot apparel of all types included.

I train on numerous surfaces: tennis courts, asphalt parking lots, grass, gravel trails and thin carpet in my garage. Typically I wear either track pants or jeans with light minimalist sneakers, but I also wear other foot gear I own such as boots, loafers, sandals and other types of sneakers. I may be wearing a tee shirt, under armor, or a button down shirt.  In the cold weather I'm using a fleece pull over, or light and loose jacket.

Footwear, especially, has an impact on training. Footwear for hiking, for example, has a stronger grip, so caution must be taken when pivoting until using them in a karate framework becomes second nature. I have three pair of minimalist sneakers I cycle through. Two of the pair are so worn down they have no tread left. They're great since the smooth surface enhances pivoting, but they are slippery too under some circumstances - great for balance practice while kicking though.

Pants also have an impact on technique. I have two types of denim jeans I wear: loose fit all around and a tighter fit around the hips and thighs. Stating the obvious, the tighter jeans do slightly restrict my kicking and deeper stance techniques, not enough to be an issue though for self defense purposes. The loose jeans are as comfortable as my track pants and wearing a thick belt with a larger buckle offers a minimal amount of protection.

Wearing light pull-overs or jackets also has a slight impact on technique, particularly around the shoulders. Another aspect to consider with any long sleeve apparel is the sleeves offer a target to be grabbed in a self defense situation. Good if you are doing the grabbing to control while attacking, but bad if the reverse is true. Keeping this in mind, it is even more vital to keep the returning arm powerful in its draw back so protect against control attempts by your opponent.

Well, that's all for now...

The Beijing Subway

In July of 2011 my father-in-law very generously took our entire family to China for a ten day vacation.

Part of the vacation was spent on a personal-style tour of the City and environs of Beijing.  On the first night we decided to visit a famed area of the city where all sorts of things are sold down narrow alleys. To get there we took the subway since it appeared to be the quickest way from the hotel. What we didn't realize was how incredibly busy it was: literally wall to wall humanity hustling and bustling down tunnels to and from the trains.  My elderly father-in-law was very nervous so I acted as his buffer to keep the crowds away from him as best as possible.

This was about a year and a half since I had restarted self training, so I was being particularly aware of the situation, while in a controlled and relaxed state. It's interesting how the practice of delivering great force while remaining mentally calm and in control can be put to use in different situations.

Today, while working on Heian Yondan and Sochin, I thought about that time and how difficult it would be to apply self defense techniques in such a confined situation. It's situations like this where instantaneous self defense may become necessary. High stress situations can easily become violent so mental preparation is tantamount. Be very aware and maintain a low profile.  Stay calm in potentially volatile situations and remember apologies are far safer than engaging in physical brutality, even if not the instigator.

One other aspect to consider though, is how to actually apply self defense techniques, if necessary, in a crowded, tight place. It's with this in mind that all techniques must the thought of having close-quarter applications.  In fact, many Shotokan karate-ka believe nearly all kata techniques have close-in fighting as the primary applications. This is my belief as well.  Strikes, controls, breaks, throws and take-downs all are found where the assailant is nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with the karate-ka. You have to imagine that you can nearly whisper in the assailant's ear as you're about to snap his elbow for attempting to pickpocket your wallet.

Well, that's all for now...

Peaceful Kata

The five basic kata of Shotokan karate are Heian One through Five.

They were created by Anko Itosu around the turn of the twentieth century as a means of teaching a hybrid of Okinawan karate to the masses through schools.  The meaning of these kata is often misunderstood though. Heian references a peaceful state: a place where you feel secure because you are prepared and alert.

In essence, truly understanding these five kata for all the varied applications in them is almost daunting. But with a firm understanding, and practice of these kata, and their bunkai and oyo, one's knowledge of karate is greatly enhanced.

All sorts of strike/take-down/finish combinations are found through out them.  How one mixes and matches them in real world applications is up to the practitioner.  It must be understood though that the finishing techniques found within them are brutal and lethal, so great care must be taken to practice them with fellow karate-ka.

For the balance of my outdoor training I'll be working diligently on the five Heian kata of Shotokan. Each in depth study of these kata brings forth new understanding of their applications. It should be a fulfilling next two weeks or so at the local parks.

Well, that's all for now...

Where Are The Throws (And Take-Downs)?

Well they're everywhere in Shotokan Kata.

You just have to know where and how to look. Every pivot, every turn is an opportunity to take your opponent down using a variety of techniques. Strikes always are complemented by body control techniques, whether grabs, twists, controls or whatever.  With one hand already in control it's much simpler to attack your other hand in a controlling manner achieving a preparatory stance for a throw or take-down.

For me kata is a series of integrated techniques with the formula of: attack, take down, ensure down, retreat. As your familiarity with the kata continues to grow, these sequences become natural extensions of your karate mind: the mind which controls your attack oriented self defense scenarios. In self training these scenarios are your reality: similar to a gamer becoming the character being played.

Aside from kata I use a standing training bag which has a spring mid stand, so it bends nicely.  It's excellent for feeling the proper body alignment for throwing - if I'm off in any way I have no leverage so bailing is the only option. But when the hips are aligned, and the body movement is flowing, you can feel the power of these techniques very well.

That's all for now...

Don't Lose Those Glasses!

Autumn is traveling fast through Pennsylvania this year.

It's already mid-October which means in a few weeks I'll be losing my after work park time as we switch back to standard time. For the remainder of my Lower Perkiomen Valley Park training I've decided to continue through Heian 1:5 both sides once after a ten minute dynamic warm-up, then focus on each advanced kata five times each side (one per day).  Focus will be on breathing into each technique with increasing tension, so kata will be performed at fifty percent speed for the remainder of the month.  As I've been doing I'll finish with five to ten full intent repetitions of Nijushiho as well.

With this in mind, the reverse of my last post becomes important. Losing your glasses with slow, focused, forceful techniques means you're going too hard. When performing kata as a mental exercise the head must be still, the eyes intently focused on your adversary before you.  Turns of the head are crisp, deliberate and with intent: in other words they are steady and controlled.  You are flowing into each technique, not acting as water crashing over boulders through the rapids.

Understanding the meaning of the technique as you move into it allows you to better perform it in a thoughtful and realistic manner. Repetition of an understood sequence helps make it real for you: you can see where it has real world applications.  As in any subject, understanding leads to long term learning; learning which eventually becomes second nature, and with more time and thoughtful repetition the kata becomes part of you.  As a martial artist isn't that what we strive for anyway?

Well that's all for now.

You're Gonna Lose Your Glasses

Violence is violent.

I wear glasses - have since I was in 7th grade. Currently I have two pair, both fit well, but when training in karate I'll take them off if I know I'll be going hard. All too often I've sent them flying when doing a quick pivot or spin technique, so eventually I've learned to remove them before I reach that level. Whether using my heavy bags, working on kihon or kata, I know that applying violent techniques will send more than my opponents flying.

Today I worked on kata at the local park on my way home from work.  Since I was sick the last couple of days I wanted to work through everything slowly, but near the end I decided I felt well enough to blast the last five or so repetitions of Nijushiho full force, so I took off my glasses and placed them on my outerwear I had laying on the grass.  While doing so I realized if I was ever attacked I was "gonna lose my glasses", whether by the attacker or myself retaliating, so just deal with it and keep on fighting. In other words, bad things may happen if ever attacked, but they must be ignored in your fight for survival.

That's all for now...