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Some Thoughts on Kata by Sensi Kelly Keys
"The common fabric with which karate is woven" How many times have you learned a kata but remain unaware of what the defensive themes intertwined within its technical myriad actually mean? In this regard, kata can be likened to learning a song in a foreign language; Melodic, but unless you can understand the language in which the song is sang, its words will forever remain a mystery.
In 1905, French Mathematician Henri Poincare wrote, "Science is built upon facts much in the same way that a house is built with bricks; but that the mere collection of facts was no more a science than a pile of bricks is a house!" I believe that Poincare's statement can be likened to the indiscriminate way that karate has been learned in modern times: "Despite generations of strong competitive fighters, learners continue to collect kata without understanding the fundamental defensive themes and corresponding application principles intertwined within its technical myriad!"
Historical Pretext: It has always been the human body, its unique function & common anatomical weaknesses which have ultimately dictated how seizing & impacting, along with the corresponding biomechanics which support the transfer of both low intensity and higher velocity kinetic energy, best impede motor performance; the dispassionate aim of self-defense." Despite what is being taught by a myriad of different schools, styles and systems throughout the world today, these principles are immutable and must be completely understood before the art can ever be mastered.
Based upon this universal truth, man has continually pursued different ways through which to improve his understanding of these immutable principles and systematized them. Through generations of empirical observation spiritual recluses in the monastic sanctuaries of ancient China were able to identify and catalogue no less than 36 different habitual acts of physical violence that plagued the plebian society in which they dwelt. From these defensive themes came as many as 72 different variations surrounding mutual confrontation and augmented struggling. Resolved to living in harmony with nature & their fellow man, spiritual recluses embraced pacifism and believed that, if and when the ego could be controlled, the need for physical violence could be reduced to pure chance. Hence, the remarkable training methods they developed (despite the combative ways they may have been used during certain periods of Shaolin history) were governed by the non-lethal defensive outcomes they sought to achieve.
Built upon immutable anatomical principles and corresponding laws of nature, a plethora of composite techniques, geometrically configured into 18 signature individual exercises (called hsing/kata) came to represent the Shaolin standard through which a total of 108 defensive themes could be effectively negotiated. Historically, this phenomena represents the foundation upon which karate unfolded.
Kata is the inter-related fabric with which all karate traditions are woven. A mnemonic concept, which evolved from before written language, ritualized physical emulation has long served many ancient cultures as effective ways through which to persevere & pass on important ideas. Profoundly influenced by the culture, in which such a phenomenon evolved, training methods ultimately came to reflect the signature characteristics of those people who popularized such practices. However, at the core of such practices, the defensive themes and corresponding applications principles are always exactly alike. Varying ways of seizing & corresponding tools of impact can address a whole plethora of habitual acts of physical violence because the human body is unique. However, nowadays, this fundamental message has been long forgotten due in large part to the ambiguity of its evolution, the emphasis placed upon the competitive arena and those training methods which support its rule-bound outcomes.
During this generation there has surfaced growing and independent movements aimed at re-discovering the original purpose of kata. The International Ryukyu Karate Research Society is one such movement dedicated to re-discovering, analyzing, improving and imparting our discoveries. We strongly believe that it has been the emphasis upon the modern competitive aims & objectives, which have given birth to corresponding training methods unlike that which were originally known. It is only natural that rule-bound aims & objectives are supported by corresponding training methods. However, such training is not the original practice or purpose of this tradition. Koryu Uchinadi integrates practical two-man drills (tegumi) which actually link fundamental technique to its original defensive themes and corresponding application principles. Through lengthy analyses the Society has discovered that this kind of training more closely resembles the early practices used in old-school karate and brings its learners closer to understanding the defensive themes present in kata.
Koryu Kata are an excellent way to keep the body electrically charged and physically tuned. When performed correctly, Kata should not over strain one's muscles or cause injury, but rather massage one's internal organs and invigorate the body. Kata has long served as a remarkable therapeutic exercise through which diligent practice ultimately strengthens one's body and helps prevent disease.
The deepest physical benefits of Kata include the strengthening of bones, muscles and tendons, regulating the neurological-system; promoting circulation; massaging the internal organs; and balancing hormone production. This is accomplished when our energy channels are fully opened and appropriate alignments are cultivated. That is why in rooted postures the back must be straight, shoulders rounded, chin pushed in, pelvis tilted up, feet firmly planted, and the body remain pliable: so that energy can be circulated in an unobstructed manner.
Kata improves concentration, coordination, and the functions of various organs of the body. The controlled breathing techniques, vigorous twisting of the body, oscillation of the limbs, and the contraction and expansion of the muscles, unimpede blood and lymphatic vessels, and improve the functions of the skeletal and muscular structures as well as the digestive system. Hence, Kata is an excellent adjunct for physical training as they provide curative effects for such chronic diseases as neurasthenia, high blood pressure, enter gastritis, heart trouble, TB, arthritis & diabetes. Kata is the only reason that Karatedo, as an art-form, still exists to this very day, and the Society is one of the few organizations in the world today committed to preserving and perpetuating these "old-ways."
Important New Discoveries: In the past we have described kata as a mnemonic yet iterative practice through which the art of karate has been handed down in modern times. Despite our recent insights, we cannot overlook the fact that this statement remains fundamentally true. However, despite its somewhat obscure truth, we now believe that originally there was a more incremental process through which hsing/kata culminated one's defensive knowledge rather than actually teaching it. However, the said method became obscured & ultimately lost because of the great time it took to learn, the development of competitive fighting and the reverse influence it had back upon old training methods used to achieve its new rule-bound outcomes.
We've been working on a relatively simplistic formula which we hope Society members can use to improve their understanding of the tradition which brings us all together in harmony.
Have A great Holiday, Kelly
