Post by Paul Bedard on Dec 31, 2010 6:02:56 GMT
If you are reading this, I will assume that you have read part one, and thank you for your interest.
Karate training is done in three steps:
Kihon / basic training; Here a karateka learns a simple move, a stance or how to move and turn. This could be a block, a punch, a strike, a kick, standing still or on the move. Then progression is made by adding a move or two and changing direction.
Kata; Simply put is forms. This is a choreographed routine of a series of different combinations. These Kata symbolize defending against single to multiple opponents. Kata is the oldest form of karate training and is aimed at developing timing, focus, balance and coordination. Even though many people can do Kata at the same time it is still actually a solo performance. Many karate masters believe the secrets of karate lay within Kata. More importantly than learning the series of sequences and order is the understanding of the application of the techniques. This is called `Bunkai`. Bunkai is only limited with the experience and imagination of the karateka.
Kumite; Is sparring, while facing an opponent a karateka will actually use techniques to block and counter. This helps to develop technique in a more realistic application. Kumite helps to develop, reading an opponent, timing, distance, balance and helps prepare for actual physical contact. There is a progression from, five step, to three step, to one step, to semi free one step and finally to free sparring, each preparing the karateka to the next level.
Karate-do is literally translated as the empty handed way. `Do` means a path or way to follow. It can be said that karate-do is a martial art that can be followed ( practiced ), with a feeling of constantly learning and bettering oneself, both spiritually and physically, regardless of age, sex or physical ability. It is said that the goal of karate-do is `Ikken Hitatsu`, which means to kill with one blow. It is important to understand this statement.
Ikken Hitatsu- to kill with one blow! This statement at first sounds deadly. rest assured that during war times or facing deadly threats that this first thought may be true. However it certainly is not at all the goal of a true karateka to use deadly force in all confrontations. It would be closer to the intent to say; to stop the opponent with one blow or a single technique. More preferable yet, is to be able to analyze a potential situation and avoid it all together. Such as avoiding areas of frequent crimes or physical assaults. I personally like the way it was put in the first `Karate Kid` movie: Mr. Myagi says `Best defense against punch, is to not be there.( 1 )
The benefits of regular training in karate-do are numerous. For example karateka train to move in every direction, we train both sides of the body, thus making karate a total body exercise. Among the benefits physically they include, but are not limited to; balance, coordination, flexibility, muscle tone, nerve stimuli, improvement of circulation, weight control, etc... This has been pronion by many scientific tests over the years. Of course one of the main reasons people take up karate is as a means of self defense, but as I mentioned earlier the physical benefits are so much more than self protection, equally and probably more important, is self preservation. Benefiting us spiritually is equally important and again this includes, but is not limited to: self confidence, pride, humility, courage, integrity and self control. all this helps as kind of a stress release and piece of mind.
` Karate-do is a noble martial art`( 2 ), that can be an important contribution to our everyday lives. I have heard Master Teruyuki Okazaki say ` that through karate training it is possible for world piece`.
Now wouldn`t that be wonderful!!!
End notes:
( 1 ) Myagi, Mr., The Karate Kid Movie
( 2 ) Funakoshi, Gichin, Karate-Do Nyumon, Translation of: Kodansha International Limited, First Edition 1988 p.17
Bibliography
Funakoshi, Gichin. Karate-Do The Master Text. Tokyo; New York. London. Kodansha International, 1973
Funakoshi, Gichin. Karate-Do Nyumon The Master Introductory Text. Tokyo. New York. London. Kodansha International, 1988
Hassell, Randall G. Conversations with the Master: Masatoshi Nakayama. St. Louis, Missouri: Focus Publications, 1983
Lewis, Peter. The Way to the Martial Arts. Sydney. Aukland. Golden Press, 1986
Thank you for allowing me to share my first report with you! I wrote this about 15 years ago as a nidan.
Osu
Paul B
Karate training is done in three steps:
Kihon / basic training; Here a karateka learns a simple move, a stance or how to move and turn. This could be a block, a punch, a strike, a kick, standing still or on the move. Then progression is made by adding a move or two and changing direction.
Kata; Simply put is forms. This is a choreographed routine of a series of different combinations. These Kata symbolize defending against single to multiple opponents. Kata is the oldest form of karate training and is aimed at developing timing, focus, balance and coordination. Even though many people can do Kata at the same time it is still actually a solo performance. Many karate masters believe the secrets of karate lay within Kata. More importantly than learning the series of sequences and order is the understanding of the application of the techniques. This is called `Bunkai`. Bunkai is only limited with the experience and imagination of the karateka.
Kumite; Is sparring, while facing an opponent a karateka will actually use techniques to block and counter. This helps to develop technique in a more realistic application. Kumite helps to develop, reading an opponent, timing, distance, balance and helps prepare for actual physical contact. There is a progression from, five step, to three step, to one step, to semi free one step and finally to free sparring, each preparing the karateka to the next level.
Karate-do is literally translated as the empty handed way. `Do` means a path or way to follow. It can be said that karate-do is a martial art that can be followed ( practiced ), with a feeling of constantly learning and bettering oneself, both spiritually and physically, regardless of age, sex or physical ability. It is said that the goal of karate-do is `Ikken Hitatsu`, which means to kill with one blow. It is important to understand this statement.
Ikken Hitatsu- to kill with one blow! This statement at first sounds deadly. rest assured that during war times or facing deadly threats that this first thought may be true. However it certainly is not at all the goal of a true karateka to use deadly force in all confrontations. It would be closer to the intent to say; to stop the opponent with one blow or a single technique. More preferable yet, is to be able to analyze a potential situation and avoid it all together. Such as avoiding areas of frequent crimes or physical assaults. I personally like the way it was put in the first `Karate Kid` movie: Mr. Myagi says `Best defense against punch, is to not be there.( 1 )
The benefits of regular training in karate-do are numerous. For example karateka train to move in every direction, we train both sides of the body, thus making karate a total body exercise. Among the benefits physically they include, but are not limited to; balance, coordination, flexibility, muscle tone, nerve stimuli, improvement of circulation, weight control, etc... This has been pronion by many scientific tests over the years. Of course one of the main reasons people take up karate is as a means of self defense, but as I mentioned earlier the physical benefits are so much more than self protection, equally and probably more important, is self preservation. Benefiting us spiritually is equally important and again this includes, but is not limited to: self confidence, pride, humility, courage, integrity and self control. all this helps as kind of a stress release and piece of mind.
` Karate-do is a noble martial art`( 2 ), that can be an important contribution to our everyday lives. I have heard Master Teruyuki Okazaki say ` that through karate training it is possible for world piece`.
Now wouldn`t that be wonderful!!!
End notes:
( 1 ) Myagi, Mr., The Karate Kid Movie
( 2 ) Funakoshi, Gichin, Karate-Do Nyumon, Translation of: Kodansha International Limited, First Edition 1988 p.17
Bibliography
Funakoshi, Gichin. Karate-Do The Master Text. Tokyo; New York. London. Kodansha International, 1973
Funakoshi, Gichin. Karate-Do Nyumon The Master Introductory Text. Tokyo. New York. London. Kodansha International, 1988
Hassell, Randall G. Conversations with the Master: Masatoshi Nakayama. St. Louis, Missouri: Focus Publications, 1983
Lewis, Peter. The Way to the Martial Arts. Sydney. Aukland. Golden Press, 1986
Thank you for allowing me to share my first report with you! I wrote this about 15 years ago as a nidan.
Osu
Paul B