- Go through the kata with different focuses. The first time, just go slowly in order to remember the pattern. Next concentrate on your stances. After that make sure you have enough power in your techniques.
- Get help if you need it. For the first 3 kata, students can video-tape me doing the kata backwards so you can practice it at home. Starting with the 4th kata, I can’t do it backwards (because you move in several different directions), but I would still be willing to be video-taped. This gives you the correct answer for our style. DO NOT LOOK UP THE KATA ON YOUTUBE UNLESS I GAVE YOU THE LINK! There are many styles of Shorin Ryu which are similar but not the same.
- Visualize what you are doing with the techniques in the kata. This is what the kata was made for. Knowing exactly what you are doing with each technique and how to apply it in real life is the ultimate goal of kata training.
- Don’t think too hard. If you were ever to use these techniques to defend yourself, you would not have time to think. The reason you do so many repetitions of the same kata is to train your mind/body so that you can use these techniques to protect yourself without having to stop and think about it.
The kata that you learn in class were designed by the Masters of our system so that students would be able to practice on their own and develop their techniques. Kata training can be difficult, and sometimes confusing so I decided to give some advice to make practicing at home a clearer experience…
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Below I've posted a link to a great traditional martial arts website called, "ikigaiway." Much of what is on that website does not apply to young students (and is not written at their level), but I thought this recent article would be useful to some of the parents.
http://www.ikigaiway.com/2012/the-tricky-path-of-martial-arts-parents/ Just like I say every week, practicing at home is a HUGE part of your training. This counts double for students who attend the once per week classes in Cheshire. Practicing one’s basics is an essential part of training at any level (as a 3rd degree blackbelt, I still practice basics almost every day). Here is some advice on how to make practicing basics more interesting and more effective…
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