All styles of karate- and there are many- have kata, or formal
exercises, as a central part of their training regimen. Debates are
often had regarding the value, if any, of kata in regards to its value
in helping one to fight. Kata are often deemed way to traditional, or
"stiff" to be of significant help for a karate student in the
development of fighting skill. When it comes to pure fighting, there
probably are much better ways to train- just for fighting. Bruce Lee
might say that if you want to learn to fight- "just fight"- and that may
be good advice. But, kata hold value for many reasons.
First, and probably foremost, kata contain all of the techniques of karate- blocking, striking, movement, kicks, etc. Kata contain the alphabet and grammar of all karate styles. By practicing kata, one hones his technique- and that is important. It may be that the particular kata itself (and there are many kata), may not be a form to follow for a fight- but each technique is a fighting technique- and it can and does always have value as a fighting maneuver.
Also very important is that kata gives the student of karate- of all levels- a way to stay in shape using karate techniques. Every day, I always workout, and a main part of those workouts are kata- at least 5- 10 each day. As one gets stronger and faster- and just in better shape- he or she is able to do the kata better- and it all reinforces itself. Punches become stronger- as do kicks.
Every part of a students being gets stronger and movements become more graceful and refined.
Karate- a subset of Zen- is about much more than fighting, It is an art- and kata are a beautiful thing to do.
They help a person get into the "zone"- they are, in effect, a moving meditation- and they serve as a valuable technique to help one get in shape. Since they contain many different techniques- and their patterns are varied, they help a person mentally in that boredom is averted to a great extent- due to the variety.
Sometimes, I have gone astray- by doing other kinds of workouts- but I always seem to come back to kata practice- as a way of getting back into karate- and I always feel much better when I do practice all of the 25 kata with which I am familiar.
First, and probably foremost, kata contain all of the techniques of karate- blocking, striking, movement, kicks, etc. Kata contain the alphabet and grammar of all karate styles. By practicing kata, one hones his technique- and that is important. It may be that the particular kata itself (and there are many kata), may not be a form to follow for a fight- but each technique is a fighting technique- and it can and does always have value as a fighting maneuver.
Also very important is that kata gives the student of karate- of all levels- a way to stay in shape using karate techniques. Every day, I always workout, and a main part of those workouts are kata- at least 5- 10 each day. As one gets stronger and faster- and just in better shape- he or she is able to do the kata better- and it all reinforces itself. Punches become stronger- as do kicks.
Every part of a students being gets stronger and movements become more graceful and refined.
Karate- a subset of Zen- is about much more than fighting, It is an art- and kata are a beautiful thing to do.
They help a person get into the "zone"- they are, in effect, a moving meditation- and they serve as a valuable technique to help one get in shape. Since they contain many different techniques- and their patterns are varied, they help a person mentally in that boredom is averted to a great extent- due to the variety.
Sometimes, I have gone astray- by doing other kinds of workouts- but I always seem to come back to kata practice- as a way of getting back into karate- and I always feel much better when I do practice all of the 25 kata with which I am familiar.
The study of kata, and all aspects of karate, fitness and health, can be accessed at http://karobix.com, a worldwide fitness and karate club. Dean Weber is the founder of karobix.com
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