Japanese Karate-Do

It was a great class; full participation and great spirit. We were now moving to a new area of our training – kumite. But before we moved into full jiyyu ippon kumite we worked on some drills that helped us with understanding the importance of distance, reaction and timi  ng.

As we worked on the drills, I kept finding myself either too close or to far, too early or too late. Trying
not to get frustrated, I too a few deep breathes and tried to relax. That helped. Things were getting better, but I knew I still had a long way to go. But, the fact that things were getting better was encouraging and gave me something to work with in my individual practice.

Being able to move offensively, as well as defensively requires, among other things, distance, reaction and timing. Without the proper distance a person can't get full extension on their punches and kicks. This has the effect of reducing the power and range of the technique being used. Not keeping proper distance also keeps the person out of danger. Allowing someone into your space without initiating
your own attack is an invitation for your opponent to strike at will.

Practicing Jiyyu ippon kumite is enhanced by practicing basic kihon with a sense of urgency and an understanding of distance, reaction and timing. Both muscle memory and environmental awareness (knowing where you are within your surroundings and your comfortable fighting distance from your opponent/partner) are trained.

This video, featuring Kanazawa Sensei, demonstrates what can be accomplished when proper distance, reaction and timing is used from a defensive standpoint.

-Any student receiving a B grade will receive the color belt going with that B grade, but
the B grade will be reflected on the certificate.

-B grade students testing next quarter must work hard to achieve Full Kyu Grade.

-All the examiners were pleased with the June test results.

It was a relaxing, sunny summer weekend, one that Jason didn't want to end. And here he was; Monday afternoon struggling to focus on work. The anticipation of karate class was constantly on his mind. He had been practicing on his own, so that he could go into karate class having a better idea of the techniques that he needed to know.

Little did he realize that when he was practicing on his own, he wasn't practicing with integrity. He wasn't fully engaged in his practice. So later, when he arrived at the dojo that evening, he mistakenly thought he was ready.

Right out of the gate, he was corrected on his form. What had happened?

In short, Jason's lack of integrity in his individual practice was coming out in his group practice. Muscle memory was inhibiting the proper execution of his forms despite his mental commitment to executing the proper form. A concept that's constantly taught was now being played out – Practicing a technique one thousand times incorrectly is not as good as practicing a technique one hundred times correctly.

And so it was, Jason's lack of full engagement was conditioning his muscle memory to execute his techniques incorrectly, even though, mentally he wanted to execute the techniques perfectly. The lack of integrity had to be corrected so that his muscles would do what he intended them to do, properly.

So what does Jason have to do?

Jason has to practice with integrity. And, while there are several aspects to practicing with integrity, three points that will help Jason include:

• Being in the moment. When Jason is training, his mind has to be on training. He can't be thinking about what happened before training nor can he be thinking about what he has to do after training.
  
  

• Fully focusing on the technique. He must focus on: 1). The correct placement of each part of his body – stance; balance and alignment. 2). The muscles used in the technique – relaxation and tension. 3). Proper breathing – control and timing. 4). Application of the technique – full intensity, full range of motion and full commitment
  

• Having a beginner's mind. He must approach practice with the attitude that he is there to learn. He can't have attitude that he already knows all that needs to be learned, regardless of the level he's at.

Don't sabotage your training by practicing without integrity. Your muscle memory depends on it.

It seems that when I enter class, I think I have an understanding of the basic moves and what I need to do to be focused and excel in the class. However, by the time we finished warm-ups and start working on kihon, I realize a little more, just how I have to go.

And then, something is said in the explanation of the purpose or execution of a technique that let's me know that there are some "advanced" teachings I still need to learn. But, those teachings are obtained through dedication, hard work and a commitment to the art.


In the book, Kudo; Ancient Ways, the author, Kensho  Furuya states, "Some say that the world is just a "dream," but when we enter practice, we stop dreaming. When you have mastered everything, you finally realize that you are not a master."  And, this is just a drop in the bucket of what I realize when class starts. It really is true that when you come into the dojo that you have to come in with a beginner's mind.