The Beginning:
In March 1993 at the age of 9 I took part in the Tai Shi Kai Karate school.
Inspired by Jean Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal, my view on karate was far
different from what I had seen on television. I was a small fish in a brand
new world with plenty to learn. Recommended by a family friend that Tai Shi
Kai Karate was an excellent style, my parents decided that this was the place
to begin my Karate Do. Little did my parents know the importance of choosing
the correct Karate style and I believe-I am very lucky to be training with Tai
Shi Kai.
Kata: First Impressions
When I first saw Kata be performed I believe it looked like a type
of dance, a series of movements put together to create a little dance. Kata was then taught
to me and I would also perform this dance, I hated it. We would practice the same Kata over
and over again. The same drill, again and again. I saw it as a waste of time and how wrong I
was. It wasn't until further down the track, I realised some of the true benefits and meanings behind
Kata. It was then that I started to respect and enjoy Kata. No longer was it seen as a dance,
but the essence of Karate Do. The more I would practice and explore a Kata, the more I discovered.
Even the most simple techniques I found to be the most meaningful. I realised within each
Kata were life saving techniques that are essential for self-defense purposes. I discovered
that every basic we would practice was within each Kata. Kata training is now seen to me now
as one of the most important factors of Karate Do, which is a privilege to practice and learn.
Bunkai
Through my Kata practice I believe there is a great deal of importance
in Bunkai (Kata applications). Bunkai practice brings out an individual's personal
belief on the movement/sequence that they are practicing. For Example: I may practice a Bunkai application the way I believe is the best way
it can be used in a self- defence situation. On the other hand, another student may practice the same application
a far different way. Neither student is right or wrong. Every Karate student has different
interpretation and opinion on how Bunkai applications are applied in a self-defence situation.
Bunkai is all I need to confidently defend myself, thanks to Kata.
Kata Movements
All Kata techniques should be executed with the same explosiveness
and determination you would show if you were actually under attack. It should never be treated
as my so-called 'dance'. Kata movements are a very brutal and dangerous and can cause serious
damage. Before learning the many different branches of Kata movements, you must understand
to appreciate, respect and control it. They should only be used in self-defence situations and
never be abused. Boasting and showing these movements to other people can be very dangerous,
as they will not appreciate these movements may and use them Without control.
The Importance Of My Kata
One of the advantages of kata practice is the fact that each individual
can find their own pace to perform it. Students should not perform a Kata the same way as anybody
else. It is important to me that my Kata is like no one else's. I put my own feeling, strength
and timing into it. Kata should be original with the student's own speed, timing, breathing,
power and control. Students should perform Kata as, if it were there own, as if they owned it.
Therefore, there can be no standard way to Judge a students Kata, as everyone's will be different.
Simple and Complex Kata
A simple and easy Kata (Kihon Sugata) is very important for developing
the basics. I believe a very simple Kata should be practiced by advanced students as well as
beginners. When beginners are introduced to Kata it teaches them Basics, balance, Kiai,
control, strength, flexibility, speed, awareness and different strikes and movements.
For the advanced Karate Ka it teaches them to look into each part of the Kata and break it up, exploring
every movement within the Kata, finding true meanings behind each movement, technique or
sequence. I believe there is no student or teacher who can claim that they have mastered any one
Kata. Once you believe you know it all, there is always more to learn.
Balance
When learning Kata the importance of balance cannot be exaggerated.
Physical and mental balance is controlled through the centre of gravity, located in each
of us in the lower abdominal area. Learning a new kata is a process of learning a new system of
balances. With continued practice your balance will become more and more stable until eventually
you can perform the entire kata without breaking balance. In a self-defence situation,
good balance may be the difference between resolving the situation unhurt or coming out second
best.
Conclusion
From this essay I have hoped to give you an insight on my personal
views and opinions on Kata training. The contents of this essay contains some of the important
factors why I believe Kata is so important in my training. Everyone has similar and different views
and I think it is important to keep an open mind when it comes to Kata. I believe part of the importance
of my Kata practice is for perfecting techniques of self-defence, useful if under
attack. Kata has not just taught me to fight, but taught me not to fight by trying to resolve
the situation. If I can't resolve a life-threatening situation, I feel I can handle it confidently due
to the input of Kata in my training.
Personally I love the practice of Bunkai and regard it as great importance. Even for an advanced student, the most basic Kata should be practiced as it contains some of the most challenging Bunkai applications. I practice Kata rather hard due to the fact I believe every movement should be executed with the same power as if you were to use it in self-defence. Without the input of Kata, Karate Do is nothing. Every movement, strike, attack, defence originates from Kata. It is the essence of my training and without it Karate would be useless.