Shihan Essence - Kyukoshin Karate Quote by Mas Oyama

Post by Shihan Essence.

40 Curious Questions About Kata by Joseph Claycomb & Mark Kupsz

40 Curious Questions About Kata 

by Sensei's Joseph Claycomb & Mark Kupsz

Kata is one of karate's most misunderstood elements, with many schools teaching the various forms as an integral part of a grading syllabus, often without regard to the application of what is contained therein. Even at this level kata practise brings benefits including exercise, improving mental focus, flexibility & agility. Kata also introduces you to new techniques, and promotes transition work etc. However as a study in the application of self defense, sadly many points are overlooked, taught incorrectly, or are not known, by many instructors.

Before reading on it is assumed that students have a basic grasp of what kata is and more importantly what it is not. For those new to kata study here is a brief summary:

i) Kata is a series of interwoven and flowing self defense drills set in the framework of a specific pattern (embusan) with distinct timing and precise techniques. The moves or combination of moves. themselves having multiple defense applications.

ii) There is no right or wrong explanations as to the interpretation of a given move.... in a real situation it either works or does not. Practise and understanding increases your chances of making techniques work.

iii) Variations in kata between different karate styles or within a style facilitate understanding of how to deal with similar threats in a variety of different ways. Variations in stance, performance, execution should be considered as one "Masters" solution to a problem compared to others. There is no "good" or "bad" kata only variations in performance and understanding.
iv) Kata is an aid to remembering a sequence of defence drills. The moves can be used in part or in combination. Kata also has built in redundancy, making the assumption at various points that things might not go to plan and at this juncture suggests what you need to do to regain control of a situation or deliver a finishing technique.
v) Some elements of kata appear "stylized", appearing to have little value or requiring modification to make them workable. Maybe it's the case that explanation of a kata in its entirety is beyond the instructors current understanding?

vi) Angles in kata define the position of your body relative to your opponent and not vice versa.

vii) Kata has within it a full range of defensive and offensive techniques including throws, locks, chokes, breaks, submissive techniques etc and incorporates strategies for grappling, ground fighting, weapon attacks and dealing with multiple assailants.
viii) Kata was never intended as a defence system against trained martial artists and to practise defence and attack against karate strikes, kicks etc isn't practical as you are unlikely to be attacked in this manner. Instead kata should be thought of as a response to street fighting tactics dealing with predictable attacks from hooligans, muggers and the likes.

ix) You cannot learn much about how kata functions in self defense by just learning the moves of the kata. Initially the attacks, counters etc should be taught as a two-person drill and continue to be practised as such so that moves can be refined to the point where they become automatic and immediate responses. After that the solo practise of kata serves as a "flow drill" reminder.

x) The more complicated the explanation or execution of a technique the less likely the chances of making it work in a real situation.

xi) Knowing kata cannot guarantee a successful fight outcome. No matter what you know and how well you execute it the chances are that in a real fight you will get hurt.
xii) Kata themselves do not increase in complexity... i.e it's as hard to learn the moves in Heian Nidan as Bassai Dai but the complexity of applications does increase with the rank of the kata. i.e. Heian Shodan & Sochin both have similar knifehand blocks but the explanation of how these are applied is more advanced in the advanced kata.

xiii) You can spend 100's of hours developing your kata so that it becomes sharper and more powerful or conversely you can spend the time trying to understand its meaning and practising real fight scenarios.



The following rhetorical questions will hopefully illicit a thoughtful attitude towards kata practise so that you can decide what you want to get back from your study and training.

1.What would happen if we just picked a series of self defense techniques and practised them directly instead of spending so much time learning kata?

2. Reflecting on the positive benefits of kata, can we benefit from the same advantages in other forms of practise, or is kata the only place to get these benefits?

3. Would karate suffer if we did not study kata? (There are many systems that don't include kata at all.)

4. Would karate be better off if we built a library of self-defense techniques from kata and practised them in their originally intended form with a partner? Instead of performing solo routines?

5. Would it be better to study kata bunkai with realistic attacks instead of the "karate style" attacks which lead to developing counters in a way that are not realistic either?

6. What is the purpose of learning kata when we have access to all the techniques they contain in books or on YouTube?

7. If kata's purpose was to "hide" secret techniques for whatever reason? Since there is no longer a need to practise karate secretly what is their purpose presently?

8. Are kata the only way to determine a style of karate or martial art?

9. Can kata be more than just solo practise in their current form?

10. Are the kata practised in most schools today the actual form of the techniques they reference to or are they a modification?

11. Were kata modified with purpose or simply for style as in the case of Shotokan kata that now possess less effective and more showy techniques?

12. Why are karate kata not practised in the form of two-man drills such as in Judo, Ju-Jitsu or Aikido?

13. Doesn't it make sense to study applied techniques as realistic two-man drills first instead of memorizing techniques as "air karate" of solo practice that do not guarantee understanding?

14. Realistic application of techniques require understanding from a realistic view. Shouldn't we practise kata as a reference "after" learning the proper application instead of before learning them?

15. What purpose does referencing to techniques in an improper form serve?

16. Should the number of kata be limited so we can fully understand them before worrying about having to learn more of them?

17. Is it important to learn every kata in your style?

18. Shouldn't real technique in the form of actual function be the main priority instead of aiming for sport beautified demonstrations?

19. Given that kata is a blend of good form, strong technique and useful function which, if any of these qualities is the most important?

20. Many Arts rely on kata training, Many arts don't, both types of arts seem to have value? "Kata-less" arts seem to have a more direct approach to their training principles, enabling them to be enjoyed, appreciated and learn at a much faster rate. Kata based arts often suffer from the lack of interest in kata due to its indirectness and lack of visual/physical approach to what is found so easily in other art forms.. How do we close the gap and make kata easier to learn and be deemed important to less experienced practitioners who find kata "pointless"?

21. Historically, often a kata represents an entire art. Adopting so many kata seems easy to memorize techniques, yet it is almost impossible to learn all techniques on a functional level even though many are parallel in purpose. Does this not defeat the purpose of learning a martial art from a self defense standpoint? If we spend so much time perfecting "air technique", when do you get the chance to learn real techniques that will actually help us in real life?

22. Does kata actually teach us self defense if we just perform patterns?

23. How can kata become more appealing to more people?

24. How can kata become more effective in learning real self-defense?

25. Why after so many years of study in so many establishments is it that so few people really know kata completely, Most speculate, some have valid ideas yet few are totally sure what each kata is intended for because nothing is documented, Nor can anyone claim a "Correct way". Why were kata not specified with purpose? or categories? All we know is someone decided to put them in a specific order based on so called physical difficulty, Yet all techniques are so different, not more difficult. I personally find "Enpi" just as physically difficult as "Sochin" but in different ways. Not more difficult to remember. Why is one kata deemed more difficult to learn than others other than the obvious Short v Long?

26. When did kata become a solo practise and when did the two-man application drills get dropped by the majority of karate schools?

27. Being that karate is a defensive art and most, if not all techniques are derived from kata. Why then do most karate schools understand substantially less about self defense techniques than other arts like Hapkido, Aikido, Judo, Ju-jutsu who do not practise kata?

28. Should kata be introduced to younger / newer students or should it be held back until a practitioner understands and performs a repertoire of effective techniques such that these can then be related to kata.

29. Is kata literal or should we study and practise it with a looser approach than the rigidity often attributed to the form?

30. Is kata relevant and applicable to all types of combat or self defense based arts?

31. Does kata enhance your fighting skills?

32. Does kata decrease your self-defense and combative skills by simply neglecting other aspects of training due to a heavy focus on solo training?

33. What are the selling points of kata for new prospective students looking to start martial arts training?

34. How can we make kata more appealing to children or students who prefer other training methods?

35. What would be the best attributes of a kata?

36. Why isn't there a ground grappling kata?

37. Why do styles like Judo, Ju-jutsu, Aikido, Hapkido, Sumo, Boxing, some styles of Kung-fu & Karate not utilize kata in its solo format?

38. How old is kata and has it always been practised the same way as the present day?

39. Should new kata be added or existing kata modified to take into account techniques such as roundhouse kick, back kick etc?

40. Is standardizing kata important? Or is it okay to modify, create, add or subtract parts of kata if you deem it necessary for improvement or should we just copy/imitate/memorize kata for sake of tradition and preserving them for posterity?

If you would like some answers to the questions presented here I recommend you now read the excellent article by Iain Abernethy "Kata Why Bother?

Side Snap Kick vs. Front Snap Kick in KATA, Why I am choosing Front Snap Instead.

The origins of KATA GankaKu in Shotokan (Chinto) in ALL other Styles is surprisingly similar. Yet variations of this Kata are so beautiful and DO NOT use Side Snap kick at all.

Using Front kick off the front leg from a Cat or Crane stance is much more practical, more powerful, straight to the point and quicker in some instances than Side Snap.

Twisting and transitioning is also quicker from (any) stance into a cat stance or High stance and can be nearly simultaneous with the front snap kick whereas the side snap kick PREP from a back stance requires MORE flexibility, MORE Agility, MORE athleticism, is LESS Natural, takes more foot steps to prep KICK and is less functional all before it is thrown.

This seems to Diminish the SELF DEFENSIVE validity of the kick. Unless you execute it to the knee level which it is not taught in Shotokan EVER.. Nor in Kihon practice.

This kick also demands Great levels of flexibility to execute it as prescribed in ALL SHOTOKAN modified Kata.
Why Side snap kick was introduced into Shotokan is still mystery, Especially for its lack of Effectiveness in SPORT and SELF DEFENSE alike. 

Looking at KATA, kicking techniques found in PRE JKA Shotokan don't require as much flexibility or athleticism because they are almost limited to Front kick. "a more ergonomic technique"

Kata were created for Self defense with practicality in mind NOT for display purposes or sport.

Shotokan Kata may flow more in some ways and display great beauty and are more pleasing to the Eye but have also lost some of the combative elements because of the aesthetic modifications introduced for sport purposes and demonstrations. That alone leaves room for questioning.

There is nothing wrong with sport if that is your goal. It all boils down to personal preference. My personal preference is Self defense applications. While Sport KATA may be fun, it is far from the original purpose of KATA altogether.

I quote: “Nothing is more harmful to the world than a martial art that is not effective in actual self-defense.” – Choki Motobu (founder of Motobu-ryu Kempo and notorious Okinawan Karate street-fighter)

While I feel it's important to learn ALL the techniques you can, It's equally important to LEARN them PRACTICALLY. This is not the responsibility of the NEW student. It's OUR responsibility as Sensei's to Teach Practically before SPORTY or LOOKY. Sport should be an option, not a primary Focus.

Kata should be Deadly before Pretty. Self Defense before Self display.

In conclusion, I'll be practicing the TOMARI-TE / Shorin RYU Kata Versions from now on along side my Shotokan as I always have. I have come to the conclusion that side snap kick is nearly pointless.

Being that I TORE my hamstring in competition while performing the last of four side snap kicks in Gankaku Kata which resulted in a lifelong injury, disabling me from walking for 6 months immediately after, I am removing "side snap" from my KATA if it is to be used above the knee in my training!

Coincidentally, ALL Goju Kata side kicks are all to the knees.

Even though I can teach anyone Perfectly and Perform side snap kick fairly well today. I deem it as a single purpose technique above the waist and pointless for self defense and pointless for SPORT as well. I am still waiting to see Side snap kick in sparring or self defense to this day..

Personally, it makes sense to GO BACK TO THE ROOTS of Karate Kicking when we speak about KATA.

I feel this way regarding side snap kick after many years of study. It may be a similar reason we don't find Round kick, Hook kick, Back spinning hook kick or back kick in Original versions of KATA either .. Whatever changes that were introduced, seem to have been added in for Looks or STYLE.

FINAL Thought: My analysis of kicking effectiveness does not stem from an incapable or inexperienced approach, rather, I speak from a KICKER'S perspective. KICKING Techniques are my Favorite component within my MY KARATE Journey.

What better way to express one's findings than from a WELL VERSED approach from a career long analysis of functionality and practicality and from a very capable kicker than from a person who may have never been able to kick at all.

After all, It's about seeking knowledge through experience.

Why are Martial Arts classes great for Adults?

 

Here is why adults should take on Martial arts training and class environment.

Martial Arts are by far the best fitness activity you can do above water!  It's the MOST stress relieving, weight losing, fat burning, mental sharpening, self esteem boosting, socially friendly, toughness building, victim preventing, empowering, age combating, coordination building, balance forming, goal achieving and muscle toning activity you can ever do! 

TRADITIONAL SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO

Traditional Shotokan Karate is a great alternative for adults who are bored with the gym and looking for something more meaningful and more result based while learning a valuable skill set that goes beyond working out.

Shotokan's NO-NONSENSE approach to self defense, physical training and combat skills will get you in the BEST shape ever while challenging you mentally and physically.  Additional features are Weight loss, cardio endurance, strength, stress relief, flexibility and mental sharpness.

TYPES OF TRAINING THAT SHOTOKAN KARATE OFFERS: 

A) FUNDAMENTALS (kicking, punching, blocking, striking, evasive movement)

B) SELF DEFENSE (grabs, holds, chokes, strikes, pushes and ground attacks.

C) SPARRING (tournament sparring, free sparring and grappling)  

D) TRADITIONAL FORMS “Kata”

E) GRAPPLING and GROUND techniques 

F) FITNESS for CARDIO VASCULAR and MUSCULAR CONDITIONING

G) CONTACT TRAINING with Heavy bags, Focus Mitts, Target training

These are just a few benefits you’ll experience as an ADULT or as a student of any age for that matter.

KARATE works great for MMA!

It’s been proven time and again that Shotokan Karate is a powerful and valid martial art for combat and self defense scenarios.  Sports such as MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) are no exception. One such practitioner who has proven in recent years the Power of Shotokan Karate is none other than Former Light Heavy Weight UFC Champion LYOTO MACHIDA. Machida currently has an impressive 18 - 3 record. His fluid movement and strait forward counter attacking styles is a SIGNATURE component of Shotokan Karate. Machida is known for his elusive strategy, footwork, speedy hands and un-detectable kicking. His opponents find it difficult and puzzling when facing him in the ring due to his unpredictable methods. This type of training is commonly found in all Shotokan dojos across the globe. 

If you are looking to enhance your fighting skills for MMA or just looking for some KILLER sparring strategy, then Look for a good Dojo and start feeling the amazing impact Karate can have on your skills.  

KICKBOXING and MMA Fitness WORKOUTS:

Looking for the ULTIMATE workout? Kickboxing and MMA fitness just that! A high intensity, FULL BODY WORKOUT that includes the grace of Karate, the power of Muay Thai, coupled with Heavy & Speed bags, Focus mitts, Jump ropes, Balance ball, Battle ropes, Tire training and modern fitness techniques.

You will BUILD strength, TONE up, LOSE weight, LEARN basic self defense, Develop COMBAT skills and enhance your CARDIO endurance & flexibility and BURN over 800 calories per WORKOUT!

If these are not enough reason for your to start your martial arts JOURNEY, then you wont find anything else that even comes close!

Give us a call if you think you are ready to take that first step and try our 30 day FREE TRIAL!

You have NOTHING TO LOSE and EVERYTHING TO GAIN!!

MMA is Killing Traditional Karate

I've come to the conclusion MMA is 100% Bologna (Balony), It's not real, Rules are catered to unrealistic scenarios, and matches are lined up for $$, Not for those who deserve the shot. Not only that, UFC/MMA are stealing the idea that they actually do Martial arts when there is nothing that resembles BUDO or Martial arts in any way shape or form at all. It's all COCK fighting if you ask me.



People are lead to beleive it is great for self defense when in fact it not. Its not ideal for the average person to train either. How many 60 year olds will ever try MMA?? How many prarents want their children to try MMA?? BUT more and more kids now want to do it. I was told not to long ago by 12 years that KArate is not good and that he wants to do MMA instead!!! WHO told him that? He obviously has no clue what he is saying...All the meanwhile, BJJ is florishing because of this IDEA that it is the most effective art around. YO ucannot go without it. I used to get flyers in the mail from Gracie Jiujitsu Ads, claiming that All otehr martial arts are useless against BJJ!!!

So where did this Idea of KArate not being a good art come from, Wehre did it start getting spread from? Ill let you think about that one.



Fact: Karate-do in america is slowly dying because of MMA and BJJ. FAIR? you be the Judge.



In Google, Ther is an ad that says: Looking for KARATE? TRY BJJ instead!! This comes up when you type in Karate for kid in MY AREA!!

My being about integrity would never say LOKING FOR BJJ, KARATE IS BETTER, Come try it!



Like the photo above decsribes, in principle, the one who kisses more butt gets the title shot, not the ones who deserve it.



This is the main message the UFC is demonstrating. That is far from honorable. If the top of the organization is crooked, then what is the bottom gonna be like? Either you are part of the plan or a victim of it. It's abusive to many fighters and at the same time it is attracting trash like people to become fighters. (full body tatoos, body peircings, Mohawks and Testoserone drivin attitude) No one classy hardly ever truely wants to be an mma fighter. Ther are a few like Machida and GSP who really bring pride and character to MMA but the majority are bumbs who have no other way of making anything of themselves. A Perfect example is the Ultimate fighter show. How many people with Koolaid pockets and Champaign dreams get on this show and how many just dont make it? These people are not only ignorant but they too are USED and never to be remembered. I don't see anyhting honorable about MMA.



Why is it that Traditional Karate schools are dying in America? Why are they so scarce? I think its directly because of all the HOOPLA, THE UFC and MMA in general do not promote the principle's and etiquette of REAL Martial arts AND they do not ever say in the media to become a great and balanced fighter. Never do you hear" you should look for a TRaditional Dojo"



What you hear is "SO and SO is working on their Muay thai, Boxing, Wrestling and BJJ." WHat about KARATE? Why is Karate never in that list of Arts to enhance an MMA fighter skill set? . CAll me crazy, But i really think the main factor here is that the UFC was a creation of the Gracie family.



MMA has helped that single family more than any one on the planet. WHY? Because MMA rules are SO CATERED to BJJ it's unbeleivable.

Unlike in "Pride" and "Jungle fight" and a few other promotions where Strikers were the more Dominant, Now UFC allows rules that MAKE it easier to Grapple an opponent.



Traditional Dojos are not suffering because they cannot produce balanced fighters. Beacuse BJJ shool are booming and quite successful only offering the ground game with BJJ. Most Bjj school do not include Stiking in their programs, once they do they claim they are an MMA school.



MY TAKE is the UFC really needs to start promoting or mentioning TRADITIONAL arts like Karate, Hapkido and Aikido as legitimate foundations of good combat skill arts so that we really do see a MIX of Martial arts. Otherwise ALL arts will continue to fade in this mainstream era of whats popular on TV and the internet. We will continue to see a few techniques from BJJ and muay thai and that's pretty much about it.



In fact WHY not ad a traditinal Division. Full GI and BUDO ettiquette. Call it the UFC Traditional TItle. At Least maybe there would be a chance for more Traditionalists to spread their arts instead of fall victim to the popularity contest in the media.



One thing is for certain, If the rules were less catered to BJJ and ground fighting which they REALLY are (cage, Illegal strikes, No Kicking grounded opponent rules) then more Karate-do and Kungfu, Tai Kwondo & Hapkido practitioners would feel it's more inline with their game to participate. No one is promoting Karate in MMA only BJJ. I personally have never heard Dana White Say the word KARATE. Many strikers claim you must learn BJJ, but have you heard of any BJJ practitioner ever promote KARATE a "SISTER ART" to their own roots.



IT's like a CASH COW SYSTEM with every Brazilian coming to America on the UFC BANDWAGON NOW. Yes grappling is needed but MMA is much more than Boxing, Wrestling, Muay thai and BJJ. Apart from Machida, Who is really able to say they promote Karate in MMA? After all the UFC was the Gracie's Idea was it not? IT sure helped kill many dojo's and build up their art at the same time.



This is my note for the day.

The IMPACT of Karate in my life

I wrote this essay for a written segment of one of my Black belt tests many years ago...   _________________________________________________________________________________

The impact of Karate in my life

By: Yousef Claycomb 

1997 - Kanzen Budo Kai (WKBKF - Glendora)

Well, where do I begin?

I've been involved in the martial arts since I was a seven-year-old kid. However, it was not until I was sixteen years of age that I became really serious about training. I always had a fascination for Karate while growing up in a culture that was very different from what I was used.

I needed to have something to belong to. I was always involved in Soccer and Basketball, but those sports never fulfilled the things I needed to make it in a place where I was considered an outsider.

I was targeted and picked on because of it. As I started Karate, I began to enjoy it increasingly. My main concern at first was to learn self-defense to be able to protect myself. As I progressed, I began to learn that there was much more to it than that. The more I trained, the more I felt the effect it had on me. 

I began to learn how to adapt to different surroundings and situations. I began to mature in ways that allowed me to be recognized amongst my peers and elders, not just in the Dojo, but in society as well. To this day I still grow with karate by my side. I believe that Karate is not just a sport or and art, but a way of life also. 

It has no barriers of ethnicity, gender, religion or age and it promotes a positive influence and energy to everyone it embraces. 

 The main aspect Karate has touched in my life is my inner-self. Physically it has kept me growing healthier and stronger. I realized that I was developing my mind, body and spirit all at the same time.

Karate-do has given me not only a guide to a better path in life and a way to develop my character, but, much more. Almost everything that has happened in my life has been directly related to my Karate training somehow. 

Even my current place of employment hired me because of my Karate background. My boss told me I had the discipline, confidence and the structure in a person that he needed for the job. 

Throughout my life, the people I've met, the friends I've made, and the relationships I've kept are mostly because of Karate. 

 Karate has affected me in many more ways than I could have ever imagined, more than any school, university or institute could have ever taught me. It has taught me how to deal with life’s hardships and challenges. It has taught me how to be responsible and it taught me the discipline I needed to succeed. Karate has enlightened my awareness about myself, which has helped me to understand others. 

For the most part, Karate-do has provided me a livelihood of ambition, perseverance, courage and love. It is there for me through thick and thin and will never abandon me. 

Along with my faith in God, Karate has given me hope and a sense of root and belonging. 

This is why I consider Karate my passion in life. I would not be the person I am today without it and all the wonderful people I have met along the way and the CARING and nurturing Sensei's I've had the privilege to learn from. 

My ending quote: We were all born into this life naked and empty. At the end of the road, we will all leave this world with our memories, knowledge and good deeds… I am also proud to say I will leave this world with Karate-Do.

Zumba Classes now being offered at Duarte Shotokan Karate Academy

We are Officially Starting a ZUMBA class in Duarte!! We have a FREE Class @ 830 pm on Sep. 6th and Sep. 14th Duarte Shotokan Karate Jitsu Ryu Academy and Duarte Kickboxing & Yoga Center PLZ Share this with your friends and Invite them down to TRY Joann's class... She is young, Enthusiastic and ready to Rock! I hope I can see you all there! here is Her ZUMBA Profile: http://joannw.zumba.com