Add KarateForums.com
Username:    Password:
Remember Me?    
   I Lost My Password!
Post new topic   Reply to topic    KarateForums.com Forum Index -> Karate
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4
 See a User Guidelines violation? Press on the post.
Author Message

sensei8
KF Sensei
KF Sensei

Joined: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 16430
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Styles: Shindokan Saitou-ryu [Shuri-te/Okinawa-te based]

PostPosted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 12:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I believe that kata is only lifeless if the practitioner only performs said kata, and not execute said kata with all of their heart, mind, and soul. Performances are not part of kata being the soul of Karate.

Imho!



_________________
**Proof is on the floor!!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Safroot
Pre-Black Belt
Pre-Black Belt

Joined: 22 Dec 2013
Posts: 911
Location: Sydney, Australia
Styles: Kyokushin

PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:00 pm    Post subject: Re: Being taught Kata...But not the Bunkai? Reply with quote

Shotokannon wrote:
if we're not taught the application of such techniques then what's the point in doing them?

has anyone else ever experienced this at A Dojo before?


I had the same problem & that's why I used to hate kata !
_________________
"The Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle."
Sosai Mas Oyama founder of Kyokushin Karate.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message

Safroot
Pre-Black Belt
Pre-Black Belt

Joined: 22 Dec 2013
Posts: 911
Location: Sydney, Australia
Styles: Kyokushin

PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Spartacus Maximus wrote:
Teaching kata without anything more than a general explanation is unfortunately the norm in the majority of dojo


why is that the normal in the majority of dojos ? it makes life harder for beginners like myself
_________________
"The Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle."
Sosai Mas Oyama founder of Kyokushin Karate.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message

Spartacus Maximus
Black Belt
Black Belt

Joined: 01 Jun 2014
Posts: 1902

Styles: Shorin ryu

PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The answer to that is not a simple one. There are in fact many reasons why in most karate dojo, regardless of style, do not spend adequate time on learning and training the applications of kata. One of the many reasons is that the instructor simply does not know. Most likely because it was never taught by whoever taught that instructor.

Another reason is that the instructor was never taught how to use kata effectively as a training exercise the way it is meant to be. This is why in most dojo, kata training involves repeating a string of techniques like some sort of dance choreography. Every step and every move in a kata has a purpose and a function.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message

Safroot
Pre-Black Belt
Pre-Black Belt

Joined: 22 Dec 2013
Posts: 911
Location: Sydney, Australia
Styles: Kyokushin

PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 8:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Spartacus Maximus wrote:
The answer to that is not a simple one. There are in fact many reasons why in most karate dojo, regardless of style, do not spend adequate time on learning and training the applications of kata. One of the many reasons is that the instructor simply does not know. Most likely because it was never taught by whoever taught that instructor.

Another reason is that the instructor was never taught how to use kata effectively as a training exercise the way it is meant to be. This is why in most dojo, kata training involves repeating a string of techniques like some sort of dance choreography. Every step and every move in a kata has a purpose and a function.


That actually makes sense !
_________________
"The Martial Arts begin with a point and end in a circle."
Sosai Mas Oyama founder of Kyokushin Karate.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message

cheesefrysamurai
Purple Belt
Purple Belt

Joined: 06 Mar 2013
Posts: 502
Location: New Jersey
Styles: Okinawan Goju Ryu

PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 11:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bushido_man96 wrote:
I've done forms in TKD for a lot of years that didn't have any applications for them. The ATA forms weren't designed with applications in mind like those seen from Karate kata. I've seen some application ideas for the ITF forms I do now, and have seen ideas for the Tae Guek and Pal Gwe forms. But these are rather recent innovations.

My concern with the whole thing is, why should I have to learn a form, then learn its applications, to learn self-defense? I'm a big proponent of getting into applications work as early as possible in training.



For me, learning the bunkai unlocked the kata, unlocked the intensity needed, unlocked the intent for movements I didn't understand and it gave the understanding of why this stance with this strike, why a certain timing is necessary. Without bunkai, it's strictly a blind performance.

It's essential for me. Kata is one of those situations where it's way more than meets the eye. The only way IMO to perform it well (not necessarily for aesthetics) is to understand the application.
_________________
Nothing Worth Having Is Easily Obtained - ESPECIALLY RANK
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message

bushido_man96
KF Sensei
KF Sensei

Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 30188
Location: Hays, KS
Styles: Taekwondo, Combat Hapkido, Aikido, GRACIE, Police Krav Maga, SPEAR

PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 4:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cheesefrysamurai wrote:
bushido_man96 wrote:
I've done forms in TKD for a lot of years that didn't have any applications for them. The ATA forms weren't designed with applications in mind like those seen from Karate kata. I've seen some application ideas for the ITF forms I do now, and have seen ideas for the Tae Guek and Pal Gwe forms. But these are rather recent innovations.

My concern with the whole thing is, why should I have to learn a form, then learn its applications, to learn self-defense? I'm a big proponent of getting into applications work as early as possible in training.



For me, learning the bunkai unlocked the kata, unlocked the intensity needed, unlocked the intent for movements I didn't understand and it gave the understanding of why this stance with this strike, why a certain timing is necessary. Without bunkai, it's strictly a blind performance.

It's essential for me. Kata is one of those situations where it's way more than meets the eye. The only way IMO to perform it well (not necessarily for aesthetics) is to understand the application.
I see what your saying here, I really do. What I'm trying to help others understand is that there are some systems out there in which applications aren't taught with the forms. The ATA forms were designed as teaching tools for the techniques assigned to each level, and thus, each form gets a bit more difficult physically. They weren't built from a self-defense application aspect first. So for me, trying to discover ways of training applications is a bit of a different adventure.
_________________
www.haysgym.com
http://www.sunyis.com/
www.aikidoofnorthwestkansas.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Wastelander
KF Sensei
KF Sensei

Joined: 18 Oct 2010
Posts: 2734
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Styles: Shorin-Ryu, Shuri-Ryu, Judo, KishimotoDi

PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bushido_man96 wrote:
cheesefrysamurai wrote:
bushido_man96 wrote:
I've done forms in TKD for a lot of years that didn't have any applications for them. The ATA forms weren't designed with applications in mind like those seen from Karate kata. I've seen some application ideas for the ITF forms I do now, and have seen ideas for the Tae Guek and Pal Gwe forms. But these are rather recent innovations.

My concern with the whole thing is, why should I have to learn a form, then learn its applications, to learn self-defense? I'm a big proponent of getting into applications work as early as possible in training.



For me, learning the bunkai unlocked the kata, unlocked the intensity needed, unlocked the intent for movements I didn't understand and it gave the understanding of why this stance with this strike, why a certain timing is necessary. Without bunkai, it's strictly a blind performance.

It's essential for me. Kata is one of those situations where it's way more than meets the eye. The only way IMO to perform it well (not necessarily for aesthetics) is to understand the application.
I see what your saying here, I really do. What I'm trying to help others understand is that there are some systems out there in which applications aren't taught with the forms. The ATA forms were designed as teaching tools for the techniques assigned to each level, and thus, each form gets a bit more difficult physically. They weren't built from a self-defense application aspect first. So for me, trying to discover ways of training applications is a bit of a different adventure.


This is important to keep in mind--there are some forms, primarily newer ones, that were never intended to be used to transmit self defense methods. It can still be interesting to try to work out applications for them, but some just aren't meant for that. There are also some newer kata that were designed to transmit modern sport fighting methods, and those will be rather different from self defense oriented kata, as well.
_________________
Kishimoto-Di | 2014-Present | Sensei: Ulf Karlsson
Shorin-Ryu/Shinkoten Karate | 2010-Present: Yondan, Renshi | Sensei: Richard Poage (RIP), Jeff Allred (RIP)
Shuri-Ryu | 2006-2010: Sankyu | Sensei: Joey Johnston, Joe Walker (RIP)
Judo | 2007-2010: Gokyu | Sensei: Joe Walker (RIP), Ramon Rivera (RIP), Adrian Rivera
Illinois Practical Karate | International Neoclassical Karate Kobudo Society
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website

Dani_001
Orange Belt
Orange Belt

Joined: 08 Jan 2014
Posts: 137
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Styles: Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karatedo Kyokai

PostPosted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 9:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Standard bunkai is imperative in my books because it opens the possibility or ideas into opening your own understanding. Most of the time after I learn a bunkai, I often do something...innovation. I add a lot of my own strikes and kicks in class.

But standard bunkai is very important to start this process.
_________________
Uphold the Budo spirit and nothing will overcome you!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    KarateForums.com Forum Index -> Karate All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4
Page 4 of 4
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


< Advertising - Contact - Disclosure Policy - DMCA - Staff - User Guidelines >