Killer Miller

In a way. It's actually more of the body's natural response to stress and confusion is panic - which involves abandoning control of breathing. If that's all your rehersed responses know for a given situation, your body reverts to Panic. If it rehersed as a natural response, such as block/counter, that response will automatically over-ride the panic response - thus, normal breathing... - Killer -

Abnormal breath rate is part of the conscious mind that goes blank with panic - panic is a natural reation in the sub-conscious... The object is to train repetitive in the sub-conscious, like drills, bunkai, to where it becomes a natural reaction instead of the natural reaction of panic that changes your heart/breathing rate and affects your breathing timing. When in a confrontation situation, and if the conscious mind doesn't know how to process what it is seeing, it reverts to the panic button in the sub-conscious mind. If the conscious mind has practiced a given scenario that it is processing, then the trained repetitive scenario of the sub-conscious mind automatically takes affect and reacts - totally without thought. Thus, no panic and normal heart and breathing rate/timing during the situation... Bottom line, "if you draw the sword, it is to slice." Meaning that if the processed situation of the conscious mind justifies a given rehersed reaction, then result would be a killing technique. The real question is, does the situation truly justify killing force... Is that the answer you are looking for? - Killer -

EXCELLENT QUESTION! And I'm glad you asked that question... There are two breathing timings - Yours and the Opponents. The idea is to identify and match your breathing timing with your opponents (known as picking up your opponent's breathing timing), then anticipate their next move or when they are relaxed. The idea is to attack your opponent in their relaxed state when their large muscles are not contracting and the soft tissue is exposed of vulnerable. Thus, you quickly change your timing after matching theirs to your advantage for the attack. Also, recognizing their breathing timing, you will pick up their inconsistencies (twitching finger, wiggling foot for a kick, etc.) as an indicator that they are going to attack you - you attack them exactly when you see the twitch of the finger or wiggle of the foot when they are in an imbalanced state. They will typically, twitch for a sec, relax, then attack... With pactice over time, you can learn to pick up an opponent's breathing timing almost immediately as they are coming towards you - then WHAM... Does that answer the question? - Killer -

Well, since I was awarded “Member of the Month,” and I know from my corporate days that you get nothing for free lol, I guess I better offer this thread with a Breathing Article I promised… So, what role does Breathing have in Karate and why do we keep hearing so much focus being put on breathing? There are several aspects to breathing in Karate: Medical: The medical aspects of breathing are fairly obvious. You breathe to allow oxygen into your blood stream. This allows for a clear mind through good blood flow and keeps you from passing out or getting dizzy as well as promotes good muscle development and longevity. Also, this lack of oxygen to your muscles creates Lactic Acid, thus cramping muscles. Muscle Activation: There are two basic types of muscles, muscles that contract (picking up a rock), and elastic muscles that are like rubber bands (like snapping a towel). Activation of contracting muscles are primarily through exhalation of the lower diaphragm. Activation of elastic muscles through relaxing the lower diaphragm and filling the lungs – however, in order to use the elastic muscles, you must first provide a quick burst of the contracting muscles and quickly relax to provide the quick starting action, then the flowing action of the elastic muscles occur. Any type of incorrect tensing of the upper body, like shoulders, constrict the blood flow to the brain via constriction of the arteries in the neck area – causing dizziness or possible passing out if this action is prolonged. Body Clock: This is known as Breathing Timing… Most body actions are made up of Contracting large muscles for the starting action, Relaxing large muscles to activate Elastic muscles for smooth movement over a distance, and then contract large muscles at the target or focal point to convert speed and mass into energy or force, then relax to allow oxygen back into your blood stream and brain. However, this does not mean that the same muscles have to contract for the starting action (hips and leg muscles) versus the relaxing muscles for distance (the arm muscles for moving the arm) and finally converting that action into energy or force at the target (contracting all muscles to apply the forward movement to the target preventing opposing force coming back through your body and redirecting it to the target). The true art of Karate is to bring all three aspects mentioned above as into unison via Breathing Timing. Note: Breathing Timing was one of Nishiyama Sensei’s biggest focuses during training – learn this, everything else naturally falls into place. Proper breathing is the key to not just all Karate actions, but all body actions in general for everyday activities. Through proper breathing, you could go for hours and not get tired or sore muscles, assuming your body is conditioned for that activity, and not miss a beat… It also allows for clear thought and action of the three concepts of the Concious Mind, Sub-Concious Mind, and Body Movement Activation (which I discuss in my Mind Dumping Article) through good and relaxed blood flow to you brain and body without distractions, obstructions or constrictions. This is the basic concept of the importance of Breathing in Karate (or Martial Arts). I have intentionally not covered all discussion items in order to leave room for general discussion on the topic. So if you have question, fire away – however, my approach will be to make you think about it a bit instead of just firing off an answer… - Killer -

Thanks all, it's an honor to be a part of the forum. - Killer -

Actually, my adult classes were Very Hard Core. I had little tolerance in my adult classes. My view point was that my time was valuable as an individual that took my busy schedule and made time enough to teach them. They want to listen and learn, I'd give them 150%. They don't want my 150%, I will still give it to them, but if they don't like the intense training, they would be welcome to go elsewhere. My perspective was that the art could only be truly learned one way, and my way, and if that wasn't appreciated, then their and my time was being wasted and detracted from the ones that truly wanted to learn the art. Youths, I would still provide the necessary intensity in time, but I would be more forgiving in the earlier stages of development. Youths have different needs and many times are looking for that caring father figure that is currently not in their life (amongst many other issues). Each youth is very different in their current life's development regarding home, medical, personality, etc. Much of what you do to train, interact, support these youths may affect them long term - which is not fair for the youth if it is a negative impact. Adults have many issues, but they are adults. They are there to train.... You didn't ask them to come, they came on their own. If the environment is for some reason not to their expectations and becomes offensive (not referring to inappropriate offenses of course), then they are likely to have other personal issue that require counseling, which I'll support if they brought their issue to me, or they could go elsewhere to train. - Killer -

Yea, Kids are definately another issue. That's why I stated Youths - meaning the more mature youths probably 10yrs old to teen ages. Under 10 is definately a shorter attention span - usually about 10 seconds lol... - Killer -

Unfortunately, there are many reasons for Adults piping off. Stress - not in tune with the current world and just not listening. You tell them to do something, and it's "what, I don't understand." Ego - wants everyone to know that he/she knows all and just talks to sound inteligent. Attention Getter - a person that is always looking for the center of attention and has to ask a question every 5 minutes just to be the center of attention. Medical/mental reasons - this covers a wide spectrum from bi-polar, ADD, etc. Lack of Understanding - these are persons that have a totally different perspective as to what Karate (or any oth MA) is really all about. So "everything" becomes a question.... The best way to learn is to Do. Explanations of new and unusual concepts typically go in one ear and out the other. Most practitioners want to just get to business and do. Explanations are necessary, but only after the body action is introduced enough to where if you explain it, it will sink down into the body and not out the other ear. Hope that answers you question. - Killer -

I agree with you, training in a class of veteran black belts is definately second to none... It's a matter of responsibility to teach less progressed levels, or progress your own level of progressions. I could say time management, but that's not always possible either.... And you're right, I have plenty of Gray Cells lol... - Killer -

I'm starting a new thread of youths vs. adults with feedback of a previous post. I think there was a misunderstanding of the comparison of the difference of the two, so I will clarify my point of view in this thread and open this thread up for general discussion on the topic. In my opinion, youths are easier to train and mold into karate-ka for the following reasons. Youth Positive: - They have a fresh mind that is eager to learn and explore things in life - clear thinkers. Less questions asked and pretty much do what you ask of them. - Their bodies have not developed fully and it is easy to develop a muscle structure that benefits a karate-ka in the future. - They are more relaxed and more limber for the most part (less life distractions) and are easier to teach basic body actions/fundamentals in terms of stances, hip rotation, breathing concepts, etc. - Youth reaction timing is very good for the most part. Youth Negative: - Home issues sometimes affect their attention span – abuse, medical issues, school pressures, etc. - Bodies not fully developed to implement some of the concepts taught. - Taking Karate only because their parents want them to – perhaps parents use to be in karate as well, or defense of being picked on all the time. However, adults commonly, with the exception of a few, are more difficult to teach. They will get it in time, but takes longer for them to “get it.” Adult Positive: - Adults have more developed muscle mass required for effective implementation of training concepts – stronger technique. - They have a lot of experience in “general” – easier to recognize and apply various fighting/attacking concepts. - Adults attend training generally because they want to learn and not because they were told to attend. Adult Negative: - Many of life’s daily pressures affect attention span of training concepts – thinking about job and bills instead of an empty mind for training. - Commonly muscle mass pre-developed for other sports that is not beneficial for Karate concepts – example, using too much upper body because they are muscle bound. The result is they are slow, stiff, and walk like a robot… - In our analytical society, adults tend to want to analyze everything you teach wasting valuable training time for others when teaching critical curriculum for development of Karate concepts – instead of learning by doing and letting the instructor explain/clarify concepts when they see a problem with someone or when the time is right to clarify why you are having them do something. - Adults have many bad habits from experience of other sports or arts that are difficult for them to break – “I’ve been doing it this way for 20 years, why should I do it this way…” It’s difficult for them to understand that they have done it wrong for 20 years and many of them take a long time to change… These are a few of the key pros and cons of Youths vs. Adults. There are many more, but lets leave some for thread discussion. This is not intended to be the type of thread of "none of my students do this, you must be teaching them wrong...," but a factual discusion of the pros and cons of Youths vs. Adults in Karate training. - Killer -

Are you implying that I don't? I teach adults very well, it was a comparative of Kids versus Adults... - Killer - Teach adults properly and in detail, and you will get similar feedback, but perhaps for a better reason. WNM

That is kind of my understanding as well, except it wasn't Karate - it was more of a form of wrestling or judo. It is my understanding that Karate was a hybrid of the indian wrestling type of style for it's solid base of stances, and incorporated into Juijitsu with it's open hand technique and high stances. Together forming Karate with a stronger base to increase both mobility, power and stability into one art - Karate. There is no true documentation on this, and it's like talking religion where nobody will agree one way or the other, but this is how Funikoshi and Nishiyama described it... - Killer -

I love teaching children. They have a clear mind, no habits, no egos, treat you with respect and look up to you, you can mold them into what ever you want properly - it's a great thing to see progress... Adults - why is he having us do that, why do I need to stand that way, why do I put my arm this way, why, why, why? This is "why" it takes many adults so long to learn, because they always ask "why" instead of doing and learning... - Killer -

My turning point was when I said, "I am a Karate Junkie. I am addicted to Karate. I will sleep, dream, and apply karate to everything I do, regardless of how embarrassing it may be - in public, in the bathroom, when I'm walking down halls, in the grocery store, in my car when driving the 405 freeway; but never to my German Shepherd or Family. Osu...!" - Killer -

Kuma, that was a very common technique in JKA as well. Usually front snap to the thigh, then counter - they usually never see it coming.... - Killer -

There are four facets of learning kata: 1. The outside movements. This is pretty much do what you are told to do - the way you are told to do it... 2. The inside movements. This is where you apply/learn the inside feeling of proper breathing and breathing timing of each technique of the kata - as you are instructed to learn it. 3. The application of the kata. This is where you learn and apply the application of the kata to a real situation - as it is taught to you. This is to bring together #1 and #2 above for correct timing, breathing, and outside movements together. 4. The interpretation of the kata. This is where you visualize "your" interpretation of the kata in a real fighting/self defence situation. This is where and when you explore different bunkai of a kata and when a kata's performance becomes your unique performance or fighting interpretation - Bunkai... - Killer -

You have to get the knee up really high to have enough downward force on the stomp. That is why the focus on bringing the knee up... Also, they are ensuring that the knee is coming up and not the entire leg trying to come up and then down (meaning an extended leg which is incorrect) - which is very bad for the knee joint and can cause excessive bone/joint damage if the leg is extended at all and not the knee coil up instead.... - Killer -

Being that you are Shotokan, it would be a stomp to the knee area when opponent is stepping with front stance, or it can be used as a sweeping type of block with the foot if the oponent is front kicking, then following up with the oponent's punch being blocked with your elbow and then back-fist strike to the nose area. - Killer -

Here's a Nakayama link, which is about as original and traditional as it comes for Heian Sandan technique and Bunkai. URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmg4O-JuYMA This is exactly how I learned it in terms of technique and bunkai. - Killer -

Don't worry about the flexibility thing - especially in Shotokan... You don't really have to be that flexible. Most kicks above waist height are useless anyhow - so not a big issue. Worry more about the stances, breathing, timing, technique, etc... BTW, I noticed your style is labeled as Shotokan. What school and sensei? - Killer -

Nope, not an issue. When driving with punches, typically your opponents eye sight is blocked of the lower extremedies with your hands and guard position - Of course timing is everything. You lead with the forward hand when driving, which will block the eye sight, then you can do the rear leg kick and even the counter hand at the same time where they won't even know the kick is coming. It's all about timing and distraction. Of course if one's timing and technique is not that great, then any technique is going to be telegraphed... - Killer - I don't know about that. If you were initiating a combo with a rear leg front kick I personally think telegraphing is an issue. As soon as the leg begins to move a trained fighter would know something was coming and react. You could be quick about it but they could be even quicker and you wouldn't have time to drive in with the rest of the combo. If the kick was delivered mid-combo then maybe it wouldn't be telegraphed so much but I'd still avoid it myself.

Front snap would typically be to the lower area to apply shock to the target, followed by a punch/strike. Rear snap would typically be used when driving the oponent backwards with a driving rear leg kick followed by driving punches and strikes. When driving to the upper body with punches/strikes, the telegraphing of the rear leg is not an issue. - Killer -

Yea, I've been trying to post an article on this John, but I've been so darn busy I haven't had the time with the exceptions of a couple of quick posts here and there.... - Killer -

Go Rin No Sho (Book of 5 Rings) is a must... - Killer -

On what topics? Shotokan, Technique, Strategy, History, etc? - Killer -