Who Likes Forms?

[bushido_man96]

I know we all talk about sparring and fighting a lot, and with good reason. Most of the people here who signed up for martial arts classes did so to learn self-defense, and it is easy to relate self-defense or fighting with sparring. I am no different.

I would like to know how many of you out there like and appreciate the practice of forms. I personally love it. Watching beautifully done forms is a tribute to the patience and practice of technique. I am mostly talking about traditional style forms, not extreme forms with back flips and stuff like that in them.

When I go to compete, forms is my favorite part of the competition. I am not trying to say it is better than sparring, and I am not comparing the two. I like to spar as well. Forms practice holds a special little place in my competitive heart, I guess.

[pineapple]

I appreciate all aspects of training including forms which I enjoy for it's mental focus and physical development.

[ninjanurse]

I believe that forms develop not only the external martial artist but also the internal one. Perserverance, self-control, self-discipline, modesty, respect, integrity, indomitable spirit-all qualities that can be developed in yourself and your students. They are the focus of most of my training as no matter how many times I have done one I can always improve on it and learn something about myself.

[younwhadoug]

i like forms for balance reasons, also, they are an exadurationnlkawehrgfhsergf of fighting patterns and self defence technique. forms are great for sparring practice.

[patusai]

I like forms

[ramymensa]

I like them too. Sometimes I would love a kumite session but after learning my kata I love practicing it.

[Sohan]

My kata practice is very satisfying. I enjoy the meditative feeling I get and it is wonderful for my balance and stances as well.

Respectfully,

Sohan

[Kieran-Lilith]

If you would have asked me this 6 months into my training, I would have told you I hated forms/kata. Nowadays...I wonder how I could have ever thought. I love forms, especially since they're something I can practice entirely by myself.

[MizuRyu]

I love forms. To me they constitute the "art" in the martial art. They're a labor of love and perfection... many forms are also very aesthetically pleasing. I've been known to break out a few in the living room lol.

[bushido_man96]

It is refreshing to see so many positive comments about forms and forms practice. Sparring gets so much attention, it seems like our forms go by the wayside. I know that when I get older, and slower, and have less reaction time and athletic ability than I have now, that forms will still be there waiting for me.