Why Do Katas?
So you think you have all your forms/katas down and that they don’t need any improvement right? Wrong. One thing that I have learned and have learned through multiple martial arts instructors is that you can always improve your kata. Your kata will never be perfect, and there will always be perfections that you can make to it. You can always make your kata more stronger, prettier, fluent, etc.. One thing that martial artists get confused about katas is that they believe that they are not necessary for becoming a good fighter.
Source: http://www.authenticshotokan.com/shotokan_kata.htm
That cannot be more farther from the truth. Why? Doing a kata mentally configures your brain to learn different movements and sequences. Where by your subconscious will implant these moves and will remember them. For example, let’s say you practice one of your katas that has a high block in it. You practice this kata over and over and over again until it becomes second nature. You understand the reason behind the high block and what it’s for. One day you’re walking outside and someone comes up to you and tries to do an overhead swing with a knife towards your head. You instantly do a high block without even thinking about it and deflect the knife. So what happened? Well from doing your katas over and over and implanting them into your head and storing them in your subconscious, you were able to make it an involuntary act in your brain. It’s the same effect as if someone was putting their finger near your eyeball, and your eye shuts involuntary. That’s what we want to accomplish with these katas or forms.
Visualization
So what we can see here is that your katas can be both beneficial in training and in combat. They serve as the ABC’s of martial arts and give structure to a simulated combat situation. If you think about it in this concept, when doing your kata, visualize that each move you do there is an opponent in front of you attacking or defending you. Whether it’s a block or an attack, see yourself blocking that strike or attacking the opponent as if it where a real fight. The best way to get your brain to connect katas with real life situations is through visualization. So in doing so, make sure that you get each block, stance, strike, and movement as best as you can. Always go 100% with each kata you do.
You do want to make it as real as you can without an actual opponent in front of you. Of course, Katas are only so good to an extent, because when your in a real fight the situation can cahnge on a dime. Katas are a means to show an give a basis for your style. They are improvements in your mind and help you understand your style of martial arts as well. I’m not recommending doing your kata in a real fight because that would be kind of silly and that kata fighting situation in reality acting out is a slim chance, but it can be a basis on how to develop your style and improve your balance, your focus, and your power.
Your Kata is One Piece to the Puzzle
You want to make your kata looks strong and powerful. You should be out of breath by the time you are done, and back in starting position with a light gloss of sweat on your forehead. Improving your katas will improve your mind, so the more you practice and perfect the more you will improve and perfect your mind. They key to achieving this is through perfect practice, instead of just practicing. Don’t go at half speed. Always give your heart when practicing. If you put in good practicing you will get out good work. Don’t learn bad habits while practicing your kata or it will come out and start to prevail in your katas more often. Every time you do them, do them to the best of your ability.
your kata is another tool for improving your fighting techniques, it should NOT be your only means to learn how to fight. It is just one peice to the puzzle that can help/influence your fighting and sparring, but a good way to learn to fight is with another human of course. Still practicing and perfecting your kata is a peice that no one should ever overlook. It plays a very important part in your martial arts training. diversify your training and practice from many aspects. Practice with forms, as well as sparring. You will learn different things from both, but they share that common ground of putting you in the mindset of war. So Go out there and practice!
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