Bunkai

[BlackKnight]

If Kata is the heart of karate, than Bunkai is the soul. It's the most important techniques in the system that actually define your system. Therefore, I teach them first. I never teach a kata before I teach the bunkai. I don't say, "we're going to practice the bunkai for Heian Shodan tody." I just say, "Here's what we're working on today." Then I teach it. When a student has the bunkai understood I say, "Here's the kata that goes with those techniques and movements. This way you can practice wherever you are." Belt is insignificant to me in this regard.

Awesome idea! I've thought of implementing a similar concept when I open a school.