First, watch this video then read the post.
Note: This should not be construed as a critique or criticism of the kata, the practitioner or karate in general, it is simply a question as to another perspective of kata training and reality based self-defense.
Caveat: This post is mine and mine alone. I the author of this blog assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this post. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding.)
Now that you have watched it take notice that every single, or almost every, technique is done from a motionless body stance and posture. Granted you have energy generation from slight movements in the body such as from the waist but where I question it is in power generation, power generation comes from the forward movement of your body mass. True and powerful, power.
I ask this, “if attacked don’t you need to apply the greatest amount of power to the adversary to stop the damage and leave for safety?” I would think so as my understanding of a violent attack, i.e., a surprise, aggressive, pain filled, fast, hard, close attack means I have to end it fast to stop the damage and find alternatives to fighting (fighting is mutual and illegal making both participants criminally negligent).
Why don’t we see a type of movement in kata practice that helps train the body-mind for that type of movement that generates power? Again, I have heard the arguments of power through chinkuchi, gamaku, etc., but is that the type of power that is perceived through impressions and perceptions coming not from actual live violent experiences but from a perception of perceived power through the feeling of muscular tension over true effortless principle based power generation? I think so ….
When I practice my kata and techniques and combinations today I work to execute them with body mass movement that generates power. It is difficult as I am overcoming that typical kata training that sets a stationary stance before, not during the execution of, technique application. It is like the boxers drop-step technique in generating power, i.e., if the step is completed prior to the fist hitting the target, some and maybe most of the power generated is lost.
Just because your uniform snaps and pops, just because your fist makes a large resounding sound when hitting the makiwara and just because in kumite you feel a solid connection when tagging your partner does not mean it generates the power necessary to stop an aggressive, experienced and experienced street adversary - especially when it involves the asocial process/resource predator attack.
Do you feel this is not a valid concern because you feel strongly that when you apply your martial arts in a fight that what you do now is enough power? Or, do you feel when you need to hit hard and with power in a fight you will be able to do it just because you tell yourself you will do it in a fight? Think about that and those types of things NOW, before you have to depend on it when attacked.
Primary Bibliography of Self-Defense:
MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.
Secondary Bibliography of Self-Defense:
Ayoob, Massad. “Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self-Defense”Gun Digest Books. Krouse Publications. Wisconsin. 2014.
Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.
Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014.
Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012
Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.
Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 1983.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Last Word on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1995
Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Written Self-Defense" MJF Books. 1997.
Maffetone, Philip Dr. “The Maffetone Method: The Holistic, Low-stress, No-Pain Way to Exceptional Fitness.” McGraw Hill, New York. 2000
Strong, Sanford. “Strong on Defense_ Survival Rules to Protect you and your Family from Crime.” Pocket Books. New York. 1996.
and more … see blog bibliography.
Cornered Cat (Scratching Post): http://www.corneredcat.com/scratching-post/
Kodokan Boston: http://kodokanboston.org
Mario McKenna (Kowakan): http://www.kowakan.com
Mokuren Dojo: http://www.mokurendojo.com
McYoung’s Musings: http://macyoungsmusings.blogspot.com
Martial Views: http://www.martialviews.com
Shinseidokan Dojo: http://shinseidokandojo.blogspot.com
The Classi Budoka: https://classicbudoka.wordpress.com
Wim Demeere’s Blog: http://www.wimsblog.com
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