Killer Miller

Well written article, and much of what is written is true. However, I don't feel that your article truly reflected the importance and concept of the art of kata. Yes, it is personal. Yes, you train on your own. Yes, you develop techniques. But, it is primarily a tool for "vision." When you train, practise, perform kata, you must execute techniques with the same speed, perfection of technique, strength, and intent to commit injury as if you are actually defending yourself in a fight, or if you were actually sparring in competition. Training kata with a vision any less than this is not being truthful to yourself in terms of developing body mechanics and the mind to handle such a situation... You must visualize your fight/competitor through the safety of Kata! - Killer -

SALES SCAM... ABORT! ABORT!!! - Killer -

Delta1 is the closest one to the answer so far. Practice "does not" make you fast. Doing a bunch of techniques fast does not necessarily make you fast or effective... I don't have time to go into detail right now on the subject, but when I get time to do so, I will. - Killer -

Does this contest indicate that we will finally be able to read some articles??? - Killer -

GO TOKAIDO!!!! Yes, and awesome Gi. But definately not made for Beer Guts... - Killer -

I have to laugh a little when I see definitions of Kata - although interesting too. Katas are awesome, if you use/practise kata as the true "art" they are. As a technical definition, a kata is a dance with a series of techniques/movements against "immaginary" opponent(s)/attacker(s). When martial arts were outlawed, the only way the art could be passed on were through katas. These were not a series of meaningless movements. They were to be practised/performed with the vision and intensity as if you were actually being attacked - a story to tell so to speak. You expell your battle, or story of a battle, to your audience as to they can share your experience. Training or performing kata with the same speed, intensity, and vision of an actual battle, there theoretically would not be any difference between kata or battle! This is fuel for thought for those of you that just do a bunch of fluid movements without any discription or visulation of why you are moving in the first place... Try to visualize and say to yourself, "how would this movement/technique apply if I was really attacked or in battle???" Usually doing this during your kata, you will see the value or uselessness of your kata. - Killer -

I did it for 17 years - retired now (or was that supposed to be "tired" now... lol). - Killer -

I guess I don't see what the concern is here??? Instructors have personal preferences as to how he/she wants to teach. There is never "one-way" to attack and there is never "one-way" to train. You have to be exposed to all training, attacking, and defensive methods to be effective when it really counts... - Killer -

I dug the story and can relate to the feeling... Welcome fellow karate-ka... - Killer -

welcome.

Welcome. As far as Tekki's - perfect practice makes perfect! Slow and perfect four times, and as fast as you can on the 5th time. That's a work-out in itself... - Killer -

Welcome! Great to see a little JKA brotherhood join the forum...! - Killer -

Heian/Pinan are basics and mean the same thing - just different school systems. - Killer -

Kon'nichi wa!

Welcome...

Hi Jason, I never cared that much for Chinto. I was curious what it was that you liked about the Kata? - Killer -

Lower stances for power and stability, higher stances for speed and mobility... Both have their uses in Kumite. BTW, if your near downtown LA, you can train at "Central" - Nishiyama's Dojo. - Killer -

Looks like the true family to me... The brothers and sister may argue a bit, but they're still all in the family. - Killer -

One golden rule in sparring is to: "Go through------> your opponent!!!" - Killer -

Approximately 8.999992456 (+/- 0.000000001)! - Jack -

Sup...

Welcome!

Is that a hint???

When are we going to see the infamous Articles section? - Killer -

All my years of training..., I never wanted to get my tired lazy butt up to go and train! But I made myself go train regardless. It's not that I didn't love to train, it's just that when sitting around home it was hard to get out and go - but I would still go... About 30 seconds into training, I'm loving it and really glad I went. Nishiyama use to tell us that, "if you have cold, you come train. If you have fever, you stay home." So from a health perspective, your body may not always be telling you that you want to train, but in many cases it is good for your health to train. Now, as far as training until you have repetitive pain (RSI), or you are not able to keep up your calorie intake, or your body is shutting down from lack of nutrition, overstressing, and overworking, this is when you better listen to your body's message to back off and get your health back in order prior to continue training...! - Killer -