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Post by mat on Jan 19, 2007 0:58:47 GMT 8
How do u see the kata portrayed? Do you see blocks in Kata? (I'll elaborate later on this) Do you see any thing other than kicks, strikes, punches in kata? Do you use the stances in kata as possible other elements within kata? Cory Well, I see it more as a concrete way of doing things. For now, I'm still learning the basics of basics. I never stayed in one art long enough to learn more. My present school is where I've seen the most bunkai out of the forms. They are official bunkai's. Learn the official bunkai and that's ok. For now, I've noticed that most bunkai are applicable in other forms. What strikes me more is the Ni Sei Shi kata we're currently working on. They are about 7 techniques in there, but about 13 or so different ways of applying techniques. It's interesting as it shows that a shuto becomes something more than a shuto and now, I look back at shotokan forms differently (not in shotokan anymore) A punch becomes body movement and a backwards elbow strike preparing for a round kick or so. I prefer those drills but I learn the official kata faster. I'm in the learning process, but lately at home, I've been trying to implement defenses against grabs in kata. And it works sometimes. Sometimes, I'm way off. I have my relatives do some work with me - They USED to agree Mostly, we're - or so I understand now - more focused on striking than grabs, throws and such. But that may be that I don't get everything as well as I should. be well,
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mat
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Post by mat on Feb 8, 2007 2:21:14 GMT 8
Hello. Here's my limited view on it : Breathing is vital. Not doing so in techniques is anti-vital. as for the progression of things, I learned first the technique. When it was at an ok level, I learned to breathe, very relaxed like. as if I were walking. when that was good, I learned to tense my abs while breathing relaxed. when that was good, I learned to exhale in two beats. About 60% of lung in one short outburst followed by 20% slow with a contraction at the end. When that will be good(expect a year or so), I have to learn diaphragm breathing and then, taoist breathing.(expect a lot of years or so). All this on the course of two years. But different schools have different ways of breathing. We have a specific types and all Sensei's around me do not turn blue and can finish all types of kata while, although breathing faster, are not short of breath. Which is a good sign, right? Be well
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mat
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Post by mat on Nov 3, 2006 22:51:01 GMT 8
Exactly!
I think it's the only way to keep doing forms. Doing kata for the sake of moving your body can only last that long. It's mind-numbing dull and a bit boring.
Visualisation puts karate where it should be. Partner drills do too. Randori too. Each system includes so many techniques... It's almost impossible to limit yourself to strikes. Once you "see" everything you ought to be doing in that kata, everything changes. Your practice changes.
I'll even say that if done properly, it even is better than sparring. Since I do believe that sparring limits a lot of things. I mean that you learn to pull back. And if you center your practice on that,then what will come out when needed is what you have practiced the most.
I remember reading a story about an aikidoka that used judo to defend himself because he had been training harder in judo. Aikido was gone, what remained was what he trained the most in. Judo, Even if now he was a 2nd dan aikidoka and former sandan judoka.
Practice how you want it to come out. I'm a big believer in kata. It's a great tool.
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mat
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Post by mat on Oct 24, 2006 4:09:34 GMT 8
"How many of you that practice Kata/forms vary the intensity of the movement to add to work out of doing kata. If so, what types of techniques do you like intensify, punches, kicks, blocks etc...."
Well, I haven't practiced forms for long. Last year, in the peak on my training session, I was doing forms at least twice a day - Even at work behind my desk. I have a closed office. So it had become..
after warm-up: 1 time very slow 1 time very fast, as fast as I can, regarless of timing, focusing on stances and strikes. 1 time regular 1 time bunkai
With variations.
Sometimes, only once, with all bunkai applications I know rehearsed mentally and simulating that someone is in front of me. Which is a trick I have to use more than I care for as we're missing sempai at my school - new school (4 years) and I guess I could be the only one who's stayed for so long except two 13 y-o kids. We have a blue belt, but he comes from karate-jutsu and well... he didn't catch up yet. He's coming around though.
Regardless, I got the trick from renshi Sensei Blanchette. A kata done slowly - ultra slowly - with bunkai applications done, can take up to 20 minutes. It's a great learning tool too - IMO. Plus, after 20 minutes, remembering the pattern is hard too. It's very demanding physically too. An held shiko-dachi = pain.
I haven't tried mirror. We I do try to imagine what it's like, my mind is going AWOL. But I sure will try it.
What else... I've tried adding weapons in my traditionnal kata. With some success too. It's not part of our curriculum, but often, the kata is interpretable with weapons. Only sai for now. Since they're supposed to be an extension of our hands, I find that focusing on weapons helps understanding the form better. But... I didn't figure out how to hold someone successfully with a sai. (ex: wrist grab) unless the application would be to pierce the wrist... I just thought this one up. OUCH! if it is.
Visualization helped a lot when I was hurt. I couldn't do those or even a sit-up. So visualization.
That's about it! ---------------------------------------------------------- Colin, that article was interesting. Even if I do have a little problem with point-sparring, I do appreciate the training regimen necessary to do tournament sparring.
I like his point where he says that both things compliment one another.
But.... having been in fights myself, I can't help but wince a bit. I much prefer bogu kumite - even if that's still controlled, at least you hit what you have to hit with the strengh necessary to him. Plus, it represents something much much closer to the real thing. It's more physically demanding and stressing too.
Again, this is my limited view...
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mat
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Post by mat on Jun 18, 2007 10:34:34 GMT 8
This discussion is pretty interesting.
I'll keep reading since I don't have anything to offer other than :
Keep it up and it sure is an inspiration.
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mat
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Post by mat on Apr 30, 2007 23:39:26 GMT 8
I know I've said it, but yet again,
In good hands, they are.
:-D
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mat
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Post by mat on Mar 27, 2007 2:14:16 GMT 8
Big congrats too.
Those students are in good hand.
Big big big congrats Senseï!
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mat
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Post by mat on Apr 30, 2007 23:33:25 GMT 8
Very nice blog. Keep it up!
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mat
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Post by mat on Sept 15, 2006 20:52:16 GMT 8
Congrats!
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mat
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Post by mat on Mar 27, 2007 2:16:12 GMT 8
Woot! I've kept my resolution, and now I'm down 18 pounds total. I train as often as my schedule allows.. some times it is every day of the week, and sometimes I miss a couple of days. I personally think that once every two days would be optimal. wooooooooooooooot!!! I've kept mine too. Lost 20 pounds. down from 212, now at 192. All that while injured. I'm pretty happy with myself. Keep it up!
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mat
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Post by mat on Feb 8, 2007 2:27:05 GMT 8
I'm curious what y'all think - how many workouts a week works for you? Will Hi again, I find that during the season of karate, I train about 3 4 times a week. Sometimes 7, never less than 3. When training each day or so, I try to focus on different groups each day. Abs each day or so. Kata, I try to do them all each day, but keeping up with that routine is somewhat hard. Having a definite time (9pm to 10pm) for daily trainings helped. I train in the morning on weekends Summer (off time), I train about 3 times a week. Tuesday, Thursday, and saturday. Which (strangely) coincides with class days... In the summer, I run every two days. Or bike, depending on if I'm alone or not. Alone, run, not alone (with lovely gf), bike. She tags alons for runs once in a while. But not that often. Cheers
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mat
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Post by mat on Jan 19, 2007 21:54:07 GMT 8
But it's been fairly good. Summer months here in Australia are better - less muscle cramps and cricks. Colin You lucky guy. It's -24 celcius over here. At least it was. today is -10. I miss running/biking outside. Haaaaaaaaaaaa... the joys of summer.
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mat
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Post by mat on Jan 3, 2007 22:40:33 GMT 8
Happy new year all! I've been away from the internet for a while. A lot of good it did! For 2007, I plan on keeping training like last year. My resolution is "just keep going". :-) Best wishes for you on the weight thing. Putting time and effort on ourselves is the only investment we do that truly pays off. Best of luck!
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mat
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Post by mat on Oct 24, 2006 1:35:23 GMT 8
"Thanks for the posts. Sorry I took it a little harshly." Don't worry about it. On my first time on forums, I was actually shaken by answers I got. But I understand that sometimes, what I actually write is about... 15% of the total message I would have wanted to write. Baby? From Austin Powers? YEAH BABY! I'm glad both of you found your way through teaching, or that teaching found you. Good teachers are wanted... needed in MA. Luckily, I ended up with a good one, a good style and a good man. I don't know if one day I'll end up a teacher. For now, learning is enough. Time is short, but I'll be back with another thing on this subject. Mathieu
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Post by mat on Oct 19, 2006 23:10:30 GMT 8
Hi again! Great teachers will appear to be arbitrary, but the only thing arbitrary is the teaching and learning method - not what is being taught. Got it. Errrr... Maybe I expressed myself badly. It happens that some of my thoughts go awol. Add to that, language change. It happens. What I meant is that originally, I think that kata was learnt a different way. Meaning that a student would study a kata for a long number of years, as O'Sensei learned Seisan, practiced it for 4 years, then learned Sanchin, for 4 years again. Before being shown anything else. Choki Motobu is reknowned to have practiced a few kata only. Following that way of thinking, I myself the question : "do we learn too much, too fast?" I know this forum is not meant as a : fastest and bestest. If it is what I expressed, my apologies, I did not mean it that way. Then again, I think the question is already answered. It's up to the student to work. That opens my mind... would it be that before, they didn't have as much grades. Meaning you only learned martial arts. No kyu or gup. and that would kind of explain why they passed so long on a specific kata? I also wonder if it was the case with traditionnal tkd. I have not read that kind of experience in tkd. Got it too. They produce the necessary skills though. Basics? I know, sorry if I hinted otherwise. Long thing short, I just wonder what martial applications you learn while doing sport MA, be it tkd or karate or another one. But that again remains the concern of the practicionner, I guess. But there's just so much you miss out on if it's the way one chooses to go. And I was refering to was is being taught generally these days. Not only in tkd, but in any martial art. I.E. a reference to Modern MA versus Old fashioned MA. It's the first time a man called me baby too. It's really weird. I meant that take only sport MA, and you lose a lot. As for teaching, I get you. Meant no offense either. Good day! Or night for your part of the world. Mathieu
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