KARATEKA TRAITS FOR SUCCESS

Every time I would ask a new student or his parent why they chose to enroll in Karate, the answers are almost always self-defense and discipline.

Those were also my reasons when I was a Beginner. By the time I was in Intermediate level I was starting to understand the principles of Karate-do. Through years of training these principles are to aid in developing our character along with techniques and skills. Training enables us to live and experience these principles in the Dojo which results in deeper and better understanding. Years of Karate-do training instills in us character traits such as Humility. By being humble means we respect others; we have compassion; we are able to keep an open mind and keep learning new things, even from our failures and mistakes. As we persevere in training; we are motivated to improve our technique and to accomplish the goal that we set for ourselves. So we give our very best inside the Dojo; we learn to Endeavour, we develop an excellent work ethic. Master Gichin Funakoshi said that a person who has truly learned Karate can overcome difficulties or challenges.

Those who train and participate in Jiyu Kumite or free style sparring and fight hard each time should be able to develop a High tolerance for risks. In free style sparring, you see an opportunity and once you attack you are vulnerable and in risk of getting hit; when you create an opportunity and posture to defend, there is a big chance you get hit first. It’s not just about the points, because even if Kumite is a very controlled environment, you know that there is still a good chance of you getting hurt. It is in the rhythm of fighting that we are able to take calculated risks.  Also, in combat, be it in sparring or self-defense there is no room for hesitation because the essence of combat is life and death. Training in Karate develops Decisiveness.

There is a saying “move when your opponent moves”. Karate training enhances our awareness. Our awareness will enable us to adapt to our opponent or to the situation. Thus a Karateka is Flexible. Also our heightened awareness will open our minds to be Creative. Karate is an art and just as any other art it is a form of expression. However, most Karatekas could only be creative and fully express themselves in free style sparring; within the limits of the rules. We have to realize that Karate is very strict and rigid because it is necessary in building strong foundations. However, we can see the progression from Kihon and Kata to Kumite wherein the strict and rigid becomes loose and flowing; so the Form becomes formless. I have observed Kata players from one of the country’s biggest Karate organization and each player from age group to the seniors performs almost exactly the same. You can hardly tell any difference. Same timing, same accents and even the bad habits are the same. Learn the standard way of performing the Kata; follow your Sensei’s instructions because that will be your basis and foundation. After gaining knowledge and insights you can perform the Kata in your own way. Just as two singers singing the same song but each gave their own rendition. During Kyu and Dan exams we have to do the standards but during tournaments or when asked to perform in demonstrations you can do your own rendition of the Kata. You can also express your creativity by making your own Bunkai. Senseis are very creative in keeping the class always exciting and interesting. Those who have reached a high level of expertise can make their own Kata. Yes that’s what I said; I know it sounds crazy but as a Martial artist we should be capable of creating our own Kata. I haven’t made one just yet but I am

planning to. It does not matter if it will become popular, it’s yours and I will be honored if someone

will teach or share his own original Kata to me, just like musicians jamming and learning another’s original composition. These traits developed through Karate are the same as those who have Entrepreneurial Spirit; and just as a Karateka, Entrepreneurs honed their traits and skills.

With God you have the advantage.

The Principle of Ai Uchi

     Today's Sport Karate athletes probably do not know what Ai uchi is. The tournament rules have changed so much to make the sport more exciting, particularly  in Kumite or sparring. Back in the 90's I used to compete in the Kumite event. When both players deliver scoring techniques simultaneously, the referee declares "Ai Uchi" and no point is awarded to either player. In certain Kali or Arnis style they call this "double kill". 

   The concept of Ai Uchi meaning "mutual killing" comes from the Japanese Sword play or Ken-do. Ancient Japanese Sword play schools have emphasized Ai Uchi in their training. The ancient Swordsman was willing to sacrifice his own life for the death of his enemy; he accepted the inevitability of his death. His detachment to his own life enables him to fight more effectively to save or preserve the life of his family, his Lord or his honor. He knew and understood the greater value of life. His purpose was greater than his own. The Swordsman can sacrifice his life because he has no regrets and is fully content otherwise he will hesitate and his actions will falter. In battle he was very committed and determined to win.

   Ai Uchi is the mentality and the attitude when we do Sen no sen wherein you attack at the same time your opponent attacks. But to get the score you must be faster and hit your opponent before his technique hits you. The 15th Niju Kun "Think of your hands and feet as swords" make us truly understand the life and death situation

"Think that your hands
and feet are swords"

of the Swordsman. You had already stabbed or cut your opponent before his sword hit you as well; also when we do Sen sen no sen where you are able to strike your opponent as he is about to come in for a preemptive attack and you hit him before he can even throw his technique. There must be no hesitation otherwise you will be in more danger of getting hurt. 

    It definitely feels good to win but to gain the spirit of Ai Uchi, the desire to win should be the motivation to practice very hard. Your purpose should be bigger than yourself, is it for your family? for God? for your club? or for your country? Finally while in a bout do not think you have to lose(fear of death). If you have put in 110% in your training  then you should have no regrets, just focus on

"Sen sen no sen"
(Photo by mlmvillegas)

fighting your opponent.  

     In defending your friend or family from threat; knowing that if the bad guys get through you means death to your love ones, then you have to have the courage to put your life on the line and to have the determination to eliminate the threat. This is an extreme case scenario. 

     In our normal; daily lives as Karatekas, the spirit of Ai Uchi is to be able to give to others and be kind (self-sacrifice). Even a simple smile or saying encouragements so they will succeed is already giving. We are not afraid of failure (Death). In order to succeed we accept the possibility that we might fail and we learn from our failures. We can sacrifice and be determined to succeed because of a bigger purpose other than ourselves. If we are one of purpose we become more humble and compassionate. If we are always grateful for what we have and if we always do our very best in whatever we do then we will have the courage to help others because we will be content and we will have no regrets. 

     If we are to sacrifice or give ourselves for others constantly for family, friends or community we will need strength. We can draw strength from them but then you would also be taking from them and eventually they will run low. It is best to look up the sky.

     
     

To God be the glory.

    

   

   

   

Kata as the true essence of Karate-do

     There are many Karate practitioners who believe that Kata practice has very little or no significance at all to actual fighting; even in Jyu Kumite or free sparring. The 18th precept from the Niju Kun says "  Correct form (Kata) is one thing; a real fight is another". Many believe it means that Kata practice has nothing to do with sparring or actual fighting. What is Kata? Why is it important in our training? Kata is a tradition. The creator of a particular Kata intended to hide his fighting style within the Kata because during ancient times empty handed fighting had to be practiced in secrecy because the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate not only banned weapons but also discouraged any fighting systems. Through the Kata, the master was able to disguise his fight training as kind of a dance; also Kata enabled him to pass his system to future generations just like any oral traditions. 

      Kata serves as a database of many self defense applications. In today's modern age Kata practice is very relevant and important. Kata has now become a performance art not only in sport Karate but also for Martial arts demonstrations. My Non-Karateka friends would sometimes ask me to perform a Kata for them and I gladly oblige; they were not trying to mess with me but rather they seriously appreciate a good Kata demonstration. 

JKS-KDA Kata practice

     Kata is our training tool to develop and practice techniques to become effective. A Kung Fu master once told me that Kata forges our body to be able to strike effectively even in a very awkward position. My mind is focused on form, coordination, balance, footwork/stances and proper execution of technique. This is what I call technical Kata practice. I also practice Kata to develop my awareness. My mind lets go of all technical concerns. There are no longer techniques but instead there are movements. My mind is focused on how each movement feels because when you understand the movement it is easier to apply the Kata to respond to any kind of attack. For example a rising block can become a release against a grab, an arm break, a rising strike or a take down. This is my Awareness Kata practice. Lastly I do Shadow boxing Kata practice. In this type of practice my mind is now imagining opponents doing specific attacks and I am countering. In this type of practice my mind is not concerned with form and patterns; if you are watching me you will probably recognize the Kata but it will look very different. If  I am doing the first movement of Heian Yondan and I imagined my opponent shooting to grab my legs for a take down, you would see me sprawl low come up and see my arms swinging because I just threw my imaginary opponent. These are the ways I practice Kata for real fight. Combat Kata practice prepares our mind and body for realistic Bunkai partner drills. We should do several partner drills for Bunkai like Kihon ippon style, Kakie(Push hands) which is the Karate version of flow drill, pad/mitts drill, as Jyu ippon Kumite and light or study sparring. Most of us do the technical Kata practice only. But never use Kata practice for real fighting. Each martial art has their own system of developing technique and actual fighting skills and in the Karate system it is Kihon, Kata and Kumite/Bunkai. In free style sparring (Jyu-Kumite) many techniques are not allowed because they are dangerous and hard to control. They are also dangerous in Bunkai practice if done in real life intensity. Wearing protective gears does not allow total freedom of body movement and they still cannot provide adequate protection against combative techniques such as joint breakings and smashing. It is only in the different Kata practices that you can do those techniques with full power and real life intensity, you can brake your imaginary opponent's arm or neck in full force. 

     In Karate-do, Kata practice is a tool to eliminate bad habits. Through the discipline of trying to perfect our Kata; constantly improving our skill shall also contribute to improvement of our character. As Kata practice develops our awareness and intuitiveness we become more compassionate; by objectively knowing that we have progressed but clearly see where improvement and learning is still needed we become more humble; as we persist we become more patient. All these reasons both combative and spiritual make Kata the essence of Karate-do.