| Kata training is at the heart of karate. A kata, on | | | | understanding the movements, applications and |
| the surface merely looks like a sequence of | | | | developing knowledge of those underlying |
| movements in different directions. At worst it | | | | principles (principles are the engines of martial arts, |
| looks like robotic shadow boxing against fixed | | | | and indeed all forms of physical activity). |
| attacks. Experienced karateka know that this | | | | The movements and patterns in kata are more |
| couldn't be further from the truth. But how do | | | | important than trying to do techniques. It's the |
| you explain kata to a beginner? | | | | movements that show you (or reminds you) |
| Imagine getting a new student in your dojo. They | | | | about things that makes it work - but only if you |
| complete your beginner program - warming up, | | | | train in applications with a partner, develop your |
| safety, etiquette, a few basic moves and perhaps | | | | push hands, and spar in a freeform way (at |
| some self defense knowledge. When they are | | | | varying levels of intensity). |
| ready to join the main class they will come across | | | | If you know how to fight you can put the fight |
| kata training for the first time. | | | | into the kata, which enhances both - because |
| If your new student enjoys the physical aspects | | | | kata reveals the underlying forms that make |
| of training, especially pad work, bag work and | | | | things work. Kata without application is just an |
| sparring, he or she might find kata a little | | | | empty shell. |
| off-putting. It is not what you might call regular | | | | So there you have it. In a nutshell: |
| exercise. So the question is - how do you prepare | | | | "Kata is a pattern of movement that teaches you |
| a new student for kata training? | | | | or reminds you about certain concepts, ideas and |
| Here is how I explain it. | | | | principles. The movements are more important |
| Kata is a pattern of movement. It is a way of | | | | than the techniques. It is important to understand |
| recording and remembering various things. Kata is | | | | the nature of the movements and apply them in |
| not a mechanical shadow boxing routine and | | | | different ways, training them appropriately. Don't |
| neither is it simply a display of technique for | | | | get stuck in technique." |
| gaining belts and rank progression. | | | | From there the best strategy is to actually learn |
| Kata contains ideas, concepts and principles. The | | | | and explore a kata! |
| study of kata involves learning the movments, | | | | |