| Breaking the stereo type | | | | can be attacked |
| The purpose of this article to destroy the stereo | | | | Besides knowing and understanding anatomy; we |
| type that Kata found in Traditional Martial Arts is | | | | must also understand that there are only so many |
| completely useless and impractical. For years many | | | | scenarios in which we may be attacked. Understand |
| non martial artists, and martial artists alike claim that | | | | that there are only a certain number of angles in |
| Kata practice is useless and archaic. The claims are, | | | | which to receive possible attacks. Knowing this you |
| "Nobody fights like that anymore", or "There is no | | | | may also understand that everything else is simply a |
| grappling taught in Kata and all fights are fought in | | | | variation of the predisposed and identified angles. |
| close quarters." I am one that will agree to the idea | | | | Once you identify the number of angles and |
| that; yes both of these claims are true if you believe | | | | possibilities for general direction and type of attack |
| that these techniques were meant to be executed | | | | you can efficiently analyze the series of techniques in |
| literally. I will also admit that the dynamics of fighting | | | | the prescribed Kata or Form. This is the point where |
| has changed throughout history and time. I believe | | | | you can begin to apply the laws of bio mechanics and |
| that most Kata is eyewash and archaic. I also believe | | | | your knowledge in the human anatomy. |
| that there are "hidden techniques." I, like many others | | | | Breaking the technique down |
| believe that there is simply more to our standard | | | | The first misconception that many martial artists |
| Kata than meets the eye. Many believe that the | | | | make is to assume that each and every single |
| masters of the day, developed these drills with many | | | | technique is the "magical" technique to end the |
| of the most effective techniques hidden in plain sight. | | | | confrontation. The late Master Stan Hart, who was a |
| There are also many who believe that these | | | | direct student of Taieka- Syu-Oyata (Senior most |
| techniques contain , "Mystical Death Touches" or | | | | authority of Ryu-Kyu Kempo) explained to his |
| deadly pressure point techniques. I am not completely | | | | students that; instead of taking Kata techniques |
| confident in the "Death Touch" theory, but I am 100 | | | | literally technique by technique, one should analyze |
| percent sure that some very effective techniques | | | | more by series of techniques. Example and case |
| are contained in the very bland Kata we practice | | | | point; if the prescribed Kata executes a left turn into |
| today. When speaking of Kata and it's effectiveness | | | | a forward stance with a left hand low block followed |
| or practicality; first open your self to the idea that it | | | | by steping forward with the right foot and punching |
| is possible that many of today's martial artists are in | | | | with the right hand. The literal interpretation is |
| fact improperly trained and they are also in effect | | | | impractical, because nobody fights like that. That |
| not aware of the very techniques that they practice | | | | series of movements if taken literally is against |
| through Kata. | | | | human nature. However if one examines the entire |
| The origin of Kata | | | | series of techniques through anatomy, bio mechanics |
| Let's first go back to the origin of Kata in general. | | | | and defensive or protective thinking; one might find |
| Centuries ago. before the age of Kata, which we are | | | | that these movements are natural in executing a |
| familiar with today there were fighting sets. Chinese | | | | close quarters wrestling move called a "whizzer" and |
| monks of Shaolin developed these "fighting sets" as | | | | a typical hip throw takedown. |
| drills to trainthemselves in the art of combat. Typically | | | | The step to the left and the low block is not really |
| these were choreographed fights practiced by two | | | | intended to be a block at all, but steping into greet |
| individuals. These drills could also be practiced by one. | | | | an attack while striking low. While steping forward |
| These "fighting sets" were developed in order to aid | | | | with the right leg, pulling the left (low block) hand into |
| the monks in achieving muscle memory. There were | | | | chamber position and executing a high punch with the |
| also "line sets". Line sets were practiced with large | | | | right hand; what you are really doing is wrapping the |
| formations of monks and resembled a military drill. | | | | opponents right arm with you (block) hand and |
| Little did the those monks realize that their secret | | | | instead of pulling your fist into chamber you are |
| methods of training would evolve into today's Kata. | | | | pulling the enemy's arm and body into you. The right |
| The passing centuries brought Chinese immigrants to | | | | leg stepping (with C- Motion stepping as taught in all |
| Japan and Korea and eventually Chinese fighting sets | | | | basic Kata) is basically stepping through your |
| and forms were transitioned to rudimentary forms | | | | opponents hips and setting him off balance. The right |
| and Kata practiced in the early styles of Karate and | | | | arm strike is not really a punch, but is significant in |
| Tae-Kyon the predacessor of Tae-Kwan-Do. Initially | | | | telling you that in order to complete the technique |
| the Chinese versions had hidden strikes and | | | | you must use that limb to assist in finishing the |
| manipulations to Accupoints or Accupuncture points | | | | takedown; by driving formard with a strike or push. I |
| used in early Chinese healing. Many Japanese styles | | | | use this as my case point example because this is a |
| including Kyo-Shin Karate and Ryu-Kyu Kempo still | | | | common series of techniques found in most martial |
| maintain the belief that these vital striking points are | | | | arts. Notice there are no "Fancy" pressure points or |
| hidden in their forms. Although there have been many | | | | accupoints used; simply leverage. |
| attempts by practitioners and enthusiasts to | | | | Practice the training sequence |
| substantiate the claims of "mystical" Accupressure | | | | Now that you have learned the basic fundamentals |
| points having profound affects on the bodies bio | | | | of interpreting Kata or applying Bunkai; you may |
| mechanical and nervous system when struck or | | | | want to practice your own interpretations. When |
| manipulated; there has been no real medical or | | | | interpreting or applying bunkai ask your self, " What |
| scientific proof or documentation, showing truth to | | | | is my right hand doing?" "What is my left hand |
| the claims and theories. There are others however; | | | | doing?" "What is each individual leg doing?" "What |
| who practice what is known as "Bunkai" or | | | | direction are you going?" Then ask yourself, "What is |
| interpretation of Kata by using knowledge of | | | | my start position and ending position?" Once you |
| anatomy and bio mechanical movements. | | | | identify these factors you have then painted the |
| Understanding bio mechanical movement | | | | sihllouette of what defense or attack you are |
| What is bio mechanical movement? Wikipedia defines | | | | executing. From there your actual leverage points and |
| it as; "the application of mechanical principles to living | | | | stiking targets become clear. Remember; stick to the |
| organisms. This includes bioengineering, the research | | | | rule that when attacking targets; attack targets that |
| and analysis of the mechanics of living organisms and | | | | are proven to work. The evil Sensei John Kreese said |
| the application of engineering principles to and from | | | | it best in the (Karate Kid) when instructing his |
| biological systems. This research and analysis can be | | | | minions, "If a man can't see he can't fight, If a man |
| carried forth on multiple levels, from the molecular, | | | | can't breathe he can't fight and if a man can't stand |
| wherein bio materials such as collagen and elastin are | | | | he can't fight." Also remember the rule that a block is |
| considered, all the way up to the tissue and organ | | | | a block, is a strike, is a throw. This simply means that |
| level. Some simple applications of Newtonian | | | | a technique may provide any of these functions in |
| mechanics can supply correct approximations on each | | | | the right context. Once you have found the correct |
| level, but precise details demand the use of | | | | interpretation for your sequence; you should practice |
| continuum mechanics." Wikipedia goes on to define | | | | it. Practice (drill) from different angles, multiple |
| further by stating, "The study of biomechanics | | | | attackers, against weapons etc. etc. Drilling the |
| ranges from the inner workings of a cell to the | | | | technique will aid in developing reflex and muscle |
| movement and development of limbs, to the | | | | memory. |
| mechanical properties of soft tissue, and bones. | | | | Bunkai on the web |
| Biomechanics as a sports science, kinesiology, applies | | | | The concept of Bunkai and Kata application is a bit |
| the laws of mechanics and physics to human | | | | more complicated than simply taking the Kata itself |
| performance in order to gain a greater understanding | | | | at face value. Chances are unless you are taught |
| of performance in athletic events through modeling, | | | | personally or have attended seminars; you may |
| simulation, stimulation, gesticulation, mastication, and | | | | become frustrated and impatient. It is for this reason |
| measurement." Bio mechanical movement applies to | | | | alone that more and more people are being turned |
| Martial Arts and Combat in the sense of sports | | | | on to Mixed Martial Arts and Combatives. Many do |
| science. Therefore, learning how to restrict, | | | | not have the patience and time to spend years |
| manipulate, control or destroy the movement of the | | | | learning Kata and then even more time trying to |
| human body is key in deciphering the practical use of | | | | decipher the practicalities. For many the simple |
| Kata. By learning to harness the knowledge of | | | | solution to Kata is that it just is not practical. For |
| anatomy and bio mechanics or kineseology we can | | | | those who read this article and wish to explore the |
| discard or bring value to the common interpretation | | | | possibility that Kata can be practical I will turn you to |
| of Kata in the literal translation. | | | | some interesting resources. The following resources |
| Thinking defensively; knowing how and where you | | | | may be of value in your quest. |