Decreasing one's own mobility?

[daeinwolf]

In my previous training (Wing Tsun & cross training) I have been taught that extending the body and locking one's body down into a set stance can be detrimental in a street fight with a skilled adversary. If one is locked down in a stance then it nulls certain movements, thus subtracting from your overall "game".

 

Recently, I have started training in Ninjutsu (Togakure in Bujinkan). In this style there are some instances where one extends(in my own opinion, sometime over-extends) their body to achieve a certain strike. While I see the effectiveness in this, I cannot help but feel and see the (IMO)faults of this. I understand that the use of he various kamae and kata are integral in the beginning stages of the training, and eventually, will not be as pronounced once I learn to flow within the form. But this still feels off to me.

 

If feels this way or has any advice for the above statement, please post.

 

Thank you and Sastimos----Joshua

[ZR440]

I think anyone in a traditional art has thought the same, but you have to keep in mind those katas are the expressive side of the arts. And perhaps it's a right brained way of training that makes the techniques second nature. My class often uses them as the warm up routine before practicing anything else.

[daeinwolf]

I can understand where you are coming from. But it still feels like I am leaving my body over extended and too rooted in certain kamae. One for instance is the Sanshin No Kata Chi. I understand that Sensei Hatsumi stated that the Sanshin were never meant for "real" combat applications, they were merely a means for the student to become familiar with this type of movement. But even the movement seems somewhat over exaggerated.

 

I am not trying to put down the effectiveness of an art, because I am not some master of the MA...but it just does not feel right. I will ask my sensei about it and see what he says.

 

Thanks and Sastimos---Joshua

[ZR440]

You will also find the more you practice, the more strength and balance you will develop.

[daeinwolf]

Thank you ZR. Does anyone else have any tips or advice?

 

Thanks and Sastimos---Joshua

[karate_woman]

Not being familiar with your style it is hard to comment specifically, but one thing that has basically already been stated in other ways is that when you are doing the moves in the kata in an exaggerated way, you aren't going to do them in real life that way; sometimes the exaggeration is to simply build muscle.

[Thuggish]

yes, it is true that forms, or katas, or whatever- have other purposes than to just teach you moves. to tell the truth, when i was doing shaolin kung fu i rarely used things i learned from forms... i personally founds them to be useful in with my method of sparring. i tend to like straightforward no nonsense approaches like kickboxers. on the other hand, my teacher- whos probably about to become if he hasnt become a kung fu master, could stand in the most unconventional stances and pull the weirdest moves and really make them effective. everything you learn is supposed to be absorbed, and what you pull back out is what works for you- what is effective. that was bruce lee's philosophy towards his own fighting; absorb it all and retain what is useful. have fun- and hey, do you learn weapons like the projectiles, and other stealth types of thigns?

[Thuggish]

"i personally founds them to be useful in with my method of sparring"

 

translation: i personally found them to be mostly useless in my own ways of fighting/sparring.

 

umm, yea....

[daeinwolf]

Yes we are going to be learing the various weapons.

 

We have already practiced some hanbo, kusari fundo, and shinai.

 

Thank you for you input and advice. I guess that is what I am going to have to do...just absorb everthing that I can and utilize what I find practical and efficient in my own "style". Thanks again.

 

Sastimos----Joshua

[Treebranch]

daeinwolf said:

I understand that the use of he various kamae and kata are integral in the beginning stages of the training, and eventually, will not be as pronounced once I learn to flow within the form. But this still feels off to me.

 

I study Budo Taijutsu as well and I felt the same way at first. After a while you see how it applies to many of the techniques you will learn, as well as with weapons. You will especially see this when you study the sword. Also you will eventually be able to do this stuff as easily as walking and have power behind your strikes. The idea is that you are striking with your entire body. Also have your teacher show you the transitions from strike to strike, this will make more sense to you. I hope this helps.