SamsIAmz

I agree with this. Many different disciplines, whether its learning an instrument, or doing martial arts, recommend breaking up exercises (or music, etc.) into parts. Then work on the hard parts separately. I always did forms all the way through the first several years I did martial arts. Then as I progressed I began to realize how much fun and how interesting it can be to break up a form. You also really improve the specific parts. Good work! Keep it up.

That really is the awesome thing about kata. I love how it adapts to needs and desires of the person practicing it. I completely agree with you. There really is no right or wrong way, yet you can learn so much about a person and the way they are feeling by watching their kata. When I shared a room with my brother back in highschool, he used to always say I was fighting off a bunch of invisible ninjas. The nice thing was, that I always won

Unfortunately I have to disagree. I believe toe walking is very abnormal. It doesn't match the natural gait at all since you cannot fully extend your leg and walk on your toes at the same time. It is true however that we tend to take too large of steps and thus rely on the cushioning to absorb the impact. Barefoot walking you generally need to take shorter steps. Running is a different matter in which I will definitely say that toe (ball of foot) running is more natural. Generally though I land toes first as this allows for more shock absorbancy, but there are occasions in which heel first feels more natural and allows you to roll into it.

As far as the outside to inside crescent kick that is in many karate kata, I regard it as only practice when you kick high. As with any kick it is good to get used to kicking high so you have the flexibility, technique, strength/power. However I find the cresent kick very effective in self-defense type applications for taking out the knees. In the kata you tend to extend an arm, then kick your own hand. I find this is helpful to develop the ability to kick while having an arm extended as this prepares you in the case of a self-defense situation where your hands are already tied up and can't use them for added momentum. I also feel that in many of the kata, the crescent kick can be substituted for roundhouse kicks or front kicks as it is somewhat an in between kick.

I understand that technically you will be much more proficient the more you practice. However, I feel that some of the more spiritual aspects of the martial arts require more time. For example, a student might train 4 times a week and have amazing technique within 3 years. However, they haven't had enough time to really reflect on the nature of the martial art. These deep reflections really come from difficult and trying moments in your life, which practicing more frequently has no effect upon. So it depends on whether you feel a black belt is someone who has excellent technique and capabilities or if its someone who has a strong spiritual development too.

This is a new concept I've become aware of, from another poster (Dobbersky) on this forum. I honestly know very little about it, only what I've read on wikipedia in the past five minutes. It really seems fascinating and to embody so many other concepts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuhari It seems to me to follow the natural progression of any martial art. First you learn the techniques exactly as they are. Then you progress to modify it to fit your body, mind, or whatever is needed in your life at the moment. Then you ultimately forget the technique, and that's when the true spirit martial arts, or if we are regarding karate the kara ("emptiness") emerges. The final ri seems to reflect the concept of mushin ("no mind"), or of letting go and allowing the divine spirit to direct your practice, techniques, life. However, I know very little about this subject. I might have the whole concept totally wrong I want to hear your thoughts on the concept of Shu Ha Ri and what you feel it is really about.

I have to apologize for continually adding posts. Anyway, I had never heard of the concept of shu ha ri. I looked it up though and I absolutely love it. Shu Ha Ri definitely is at the core of the martial arts as a whole. Perhaps there should be another post regarding people's opinions on shu ha ri.

Everyone's answers are really fascinating. I really appreciate all the input. Just some more thoughts: What really intrigues me though is that many chinese styles (particularly tai chi and I believe bagua too), feel that kata (or forms) should initially learned slowly, then progress faster the more proficient you get. However they practice it very very slowly, and this period seems to last much longer than the average karateka learning a form. Watching very experienced karate practitioners (generally older too), many of them seem to move slowly and softly, with some exceptions. Though in their younger years they clearly moved with more force. At what point in your practice/life do you feel it is appropriate to move towards the other dimension of practice? While this is largely a personal opinion, it's interesting to note how everyone feels about this. Additionally what do you feel are the benefits of initially practice soft and going to a harder style, versus initially practice hard and going to a softer style? Note: feel free to keep responding to the initial question. The replies are very interesting.

When I had a dog and lived with my dad, he would get worried if we did partner exercises. Also, if doing kata, I would have to dance around him, make sure not to hit him. I preferred to think of it as making the kata a bit more dynamic in nature. Now my cat just sometimes pounces on my legs.

In my school, we don't have very many kata (we have no affiliation). However the two I've given the most amount of practice time are tekki shodan, and bassai dai. I love bassai dai. I practice it everyday. I would love to learn some of the other classic ones someday too though such as empi, kushanku, jion, etc.

The only time I wore a cup was when I was helping my instructor teach a women's self defense class. We were doing full leg swings to the crotch while yelling "NO!", with lots of untrained (potentially angry) women. As the designated attacker, I knew my chances of being kicked where quite high. In class I've been kicked lots of times. I accept the risks.... I've kicked myself a number of times too......

I ordered a pair of shureido natural finish sai 22 1/2 inches over the summer. Unfortunately they were quite large (I made a few errors measuring my arm lol)...... Anyway I sent those back and am on the waiting list for the 20" sai. They are really well made from my two days with them. While they were too big, the grip was very comfortable. They don't slip like the typical chrome sai you buy. Also, and probably most important is that the welding holding the two tines to the middle shaft is much better than the typical sai you order online or at a martial arts store. Most of the time you end up with a bump between the tines (due to poor welding), but not with shureido sai. Worbington are nice becasue they are customized to your fit, and probably pretty good too. I really can't say much about them cause I've never seen one. Personally, I can't wait to get my sai. Shureido told me they will probably get a new shipment to the U.S. around november or december.

You are going to get mixed replies from everyone. My personal opinion is that practicing strikes on real targets is important. Getting used to being hit is also important. However, you don't need to be sparring full contact to learn these things. It perfectly okay to spend the first few years of training doing just technique. Funakoshi, the founder of modern day karate, felt that all you needed was kata practice. There are accounts of him defending himself, and his students defending themselves against formidable opponents. That being said, Funakoshi would practice with a makiwara, and felt that it was important to condition one's striking tools (i.e. hands, feet, elbows, etc.). Anyway, while yes striking is important, if you are young don't worry too much about it. Being over eager and doing too much bag work, or other type of striking practice when you are young can damage your bones. To me, karate is kata. I no longer live near a dojo or any other karate school. So I pratice kata. I do it in the morning, in the evening, and at night. I repeat individual moves, get creative with friends to come up with effective interpretations of the movements within the kata, and I practice with power in the movements. I love kata, and I really can't say how much I've learned from kata. Kata is a very misunderstood practice, even by many of those who do practice it. I'm just starting to grasp it.

Recently (as in the last year or so) I've been practicing kata with speed and power (mostly power as I leave time between some of the moves, or do some of the moves with dynamic tension). In books by funakoshi and other great masters, they always talk about building a strong body through kata practice. I do highly value kata, but sometimes I wonder if perhaps there are things in kata practice we are missing. What if kata is really meant to be practiced with power? It just got me thinking. Also I want a workout and to practice karate, yet I only have so much time. Therefore I started practicing kata with power. What do you guys thing about kata? Do you feel they are meant to be practiced slow? Fast? Perhaps somewhere in between? And what about power. Do you guys feel there should be no tension? Lots of tension? I find with no tension I am nice and relaxed, yet with lots of tension I am even more relaxed after I finish practicing. Just looking for any thoughts regarding individual kata practice (not partnered practice).