Gene Williams
01-24-2006, 06:48
I rarely do lectures in class, but this is one I gave not long ago (with a little added :) ):
You have to get out of yourself to get "into" kata. That is part of what kata is designed to do, get you out of yourself and into a different mindset. The ultimate goal is "mushin," which has as much to do with practical application as any of the techniques or bunkai in the kata. There are certain things that are supposed to happen in a kata over time, but they only happen through regular practice of the kata. I mean considerably more than two or three nights a week in class. You have to make time to practice the kata alone outside of class as often as you can. If you are in karate for the right reasons, you should not be bored. If you think you are bored, it is a gift that reminds you of your ego getting in the way of your progress. NO ONE is good enough to be bored. Any seniors think the Pinan or Tenno and Chino (Fukyugata/Gakkisai) are boring? Shotokan guys don't like Taikyoku? That's ego, selfish practice.
So, what is supposed to happen with the kata and the individual? Over time, we are supposed to become less aware of ourselves doing the kata. As a beginner that's all you can think of. It is difficult, frustrating, all this attention to detail, it doesn't feel right, it looks funny. But, with time and repetiton you start to "get it" and it feels good to do the kata. Then one day you do the thing and it feels great but you don't remember if you made any mistakes or not. THAT'S IT!! Then you notice that the kata that used to seem to take forever and wear you out (Kosokun Dai/Kushanku, Seiuchin, Unshu :D ) don't seem to do that anymore. In fact, they give you energy now. YEP!! You are on your way. Suddenly, you notice that Sensei isn't saying much anymore when he watches your kata...is it that bad? But, wait, he is showing me more applications now...hmmmmm.
We often say the kata are supposed to become "second nature," and that is one way to put it. You will get to the point where the kata is just who you are in karate. You do the kata because they are who you are. You don't "think" about them while you do them. You begin to see the "opponent," and then you don't even see that...but those watching you will see the opponent.
There are some things that will hinder your practice and prevent the kata from leading you where you are supposed to go:
1) Trying different "versions" of the kata. I know you like that little move your Shorin ryu friend does in Bassai Dai. DON'T do it! Do one thing, one way for a long time. Every ryu has a purpose for what they do. Enjoy the variety, but don't try to embody it.
2) Get on through the tournament competition stage. You are not doing the kata for anyone but yourself (and Sensei in class, at least for a while). The right things can't happen as long as you are focused on what others think.
3) One patch, a clean white or black gi, and a plain simple belt. You seniors put the red and white belt in your bag for big events where people need to be able to pick the seniors out of the crowd and forget it. Your clothes reflect your spirit and mindset. If everything about you screams "look at me," you ain't getting there. It is a distraction, ego, and it messes up your practice. Self-consciousness is your biggest enemy.
4) Seniors, get over titles. The ryu or kai may give you one, and you should be humbled, put it in a simple frame on your private office wall, and tie your plain black belt back on and go do the Pinan again...oh, and keep your back straight and your fists tight :D
You have to get out of yourself to get "into" kata. That is part of what kata is designed to do, get you out of yourself and into a different mindset. The ultimate goal is "mushin," which has as much to do with practical application as any of the techniques or bunkai in the kata. There are certain things that are supposed to happen in a kata over time, but they only happen through regular practice of the kata. I mean considerably more than two or three nights a week in class. You have to make time to practice the kata alone outside of class as often as you can. If you are in karate for the right reasons, you should not be bored. If you think you are bored, it is a gift that reminds you of your ego getting in the way of your progress. NO ONE is good enough to be bored. Any seniors think the Pinan or Tenno and Chino (Fukyugata/Gakkisai) are boring? Shotokan guys don't like Taikyoku? That's ego, selfish practice.
So, what is supposed to happen with the kata and the individual? Over time, we are supposed to become less aware of ourselves doing the kata. As a beginner that's all you can think of. It is difficult, frustrating, all this attention to detail, it doesn't feel right, it looks funny. But, with time and repetiton you start to "get it" and it feels good to do the kata. Then one day you do the thing and it feels great but you don't remember if you made any mistakes or not. THAT'S IT!! Then you notice that the kata that used to seem to take forever and wear you out (Kosokun Dai/Kushanku, Seiuchin, Unshu :D ) don't seem to do that anymore. In fact, they give you energy now. YEP!! You are on your way. Suddenly, you notice that Sensei isn't saying much anymore when he watches your kata...is it that bad? But, wait, he is showing me more applications now...hmmmmm.
We often say the kata are supposed to become "second nature," and that is one way to put it. You will get to the point where the kata is just who you are in karate. You do the kata because they are who you are. You don't "think" about them while you do them. You begin to see the "opponent," and then you don't even see that...but those watching you will see the opponent.
There are some things that will hinder your practice and prevent the kata from leading you where you are supposed to go:
1) Trying different "versions" of the kata. I know you like that little move your Shorin ryu friend does in Bassai Dai. DON'T do it! Do one thing, one way for a long time. Every ryu has a purpose for what they do. Enjoy the variety, but don't try to embody it.
2) Get on through the tournament competition stage. You are not doing the kata for anyone but yourself (and Sensei in class, at least for a while). The right things can't happen as long as you are focused on what others think.
3) One patch, a clean white or black gi, and a plain simple belt. You seniors put the red and white belt in your bag for big events where people need to be able to pick the seniors out of the crowd and forget it. Your clothes reflect your spirit and mindset. If everything about you screams "look at me," you ain't getting there. It is a distraction, ego, and it messes up your practice. Self-consciousness is your biggest enemy.
4) Seniors, get over titles. The ryu or kai may give you one, and you should be humbled, put it in a simple frame on your private office wall, and tie your plain black belt back on and go do the Pinan again...oh, and keep your back straight and your fists tight :D