Studying a Kata

[WC_Lun]

Originally Posted by punisher

i respect your opinion WC and i do agree with you for the most part. i guess i read the original post wrong, but i thought it was asking for tips on learning/studying kata

Yeah, I understand. However, I think it also needs to be noted on why you are learning kata. As I said in my previous post, for tournament or kata purposes only, your tips are great. For fighting purposes, not as great. So I guess it depends entirely upon what SM17 wants to get out of his kata as to what things he should really focus on when doing them. Only he can answer that

[cjbaker]

Mr. Doug Perry would stress Kata as being performed as if you were actually fighting, to give it all...speed, power, heart, mind, body and soul. He said that after completing a kata that you should feel like you worked out. That is after you have the stances, balance, percission,etc down. He is one of the best in Shorin Ryu Shorikan (IMO...and many others if you ask them).

[Gambatte Karate]

Excellent advice there cjbaker. I am out of breath and hyped up when I do kata correctly. Some see it as just a bunch of dance type moves, but it is so much more. You work on balance, targeting, timing, and breathing just to name a few things that it works on. Not to mention the cardio aspect of it.

[shukokai_guy]

Originally Posted by Gambatte Karate

Excellent advice there cjbaker. I am out of breath and hyped up when I do kata correctly. Some see it as just a bunch of dance type moves, but it is so much more. You work on balance, targeting, timing, and breathing just to name a few things that it works on. Not to mention the cardio aspect of it.

Originally Posted by cjbaker

Mr. Doug Perry would stress Kata as being performed as if you were actually fighting, to give it all...speed, power, heart, mind, body and soul. He said that after completing a kata that you should feel like you worked out. That is after you have the stances, balance, percission,etc down. He is one of the best in Shorin Ryu Shorikan (IMO...and many others if you ask them).

I completely agree with both of you. Kata is an integral part of my style (Shukokai) and I wouldn't have it any other way. Kata teaches so much: technique, focus, balance, speed, power, not to mention the practical applications.

Anyway back on topic. The best advise I can give is that Kata cannot be rushed, take your time. I think someone has already mentioned this, but break it down. That is just work through the stances in sequence, then just the moves (punches, kicks, etc.), then the timing, then the transition speed. Then put it all together.