Investigating your kata

[GSantaniello]

Evan states:


Another way to discover is the Art of Feeling.
Start Grappling with another and you will find yourself subconscioussly doing Kata moves. If you are looking or feeling for them it will happen... provided you are in touch enough with your Kata. As you work this it becomes easier until all you do is see and feel Kata. The reverse it so that when doing Kata... you feel that last match, that technique you realized, envision, see and be.

Evan, always a pleasure to hear from you. In reference to "The Art of Feel" i appreciatte your meaning here. As in the couple of years that i frequently visited your dojo, i did in fact pick that up in the drills that we often worked with. Particularly, in "gok-nig-sing" (please correct my spelling) that i still occassionally work with.

The sense of feel and touch that is developed as one keeps constant contact is in fact very different from any uechi drills that we do.

It is the "sticking" and development of abilty to feel one's energy that is so unique within this drill. As i believe that you had mentioned it is extracted from wing chung.

Also, the "paq - sow" drill is very unique. (please correct me ?) I thank you for both of these drills and the opportunity to have studied some with you and your students.

I question then if i do in fact "utilize" some of kata's movements without realization within these drills. It is unfortunate that have not the availabilty to travel to your dojo as before where aspects of these elements are worked on regularly.

For they are not found within the traditional uechi format. Although some may disagree. I think that as Bill G. makes reference, they are more of wing chung or other systems.

Bill states:

As I often tell people, think of kata when you fight. Think of fighting when you do kata. Not in the literal sense, mind you. Just relax and let it come to you. With a little bit of help from some good teachers and peers, it will.


I find the thinking of fighting while doing kata to be more natural within the mind. However, in fighting, the freestyle leaves instict to be of it's own accord. Not dependent and thought of kata or pre-arranged drills or other pre-concieved notion.

It appears to flow of natural "mushin".

However, there are times that certain movements do just appear to happen. I remember once many years ago in a tournament during fighting, a front kick came in and the defence of #5 kyu kumite (last moves) just took over. With the throwing off of the kick , the follow up punch to the head, point was scored, match won ! It just happened. No thought.


Don't feel bad. You are just one more example of "death and taxes." We are all falling apart; some do it more gracefully than others.


Isn't that the truth !

Exploring your kata more for less energy consuming and body punishing ways to fight is your next challenge. That's what keeps the old timers in it.

As i am already there and have been so for some time.


Also, it's worth mentioning that your workouts should be barometers of your health. If the net effect of training and practice is a general taxing of your body, it's worth reassessing what you do, how you compete, and how you train. I had one of those epiphanies in my mid twenties, and learned to spend a little less time banging and a little more time conditioning (weight training, cardiovascular work, flexibility training, and "smart" body conditioning).
I'm like you. I'm not going out to compete at a level that is unrealistic for my age and my natural abilities.


Absolutely ! I have adapted much other trainning into my realm. Cardio, weights, ab. work and diet.
over the past 3 months i have seen a drastic change in health, fitness and weight control. Certainly there is more to being fit than dojo workouts.

As for the striking vs. grappling business, well I don't worry about it so much any more. It's all good.
I agree. We train for years, pick up as much knowledge as we can as sponges, and what goes from there, so be it.


Like a lot of things, the most important element of the exercises I choreographed isn't what to do, but how to do them.


I understand. As we can expand upon any and all of our drills if we care to explore them.



Now *getting to the ground*, that's brutal. Breakfalls are really really rough on my body.

This is very true. As i did Aikido many years ago, i was much younger then. The breakfalls, throws and being an Uki was all part of the study. However, now i believe that the "roll out" has much more value to it.

You do not see many "older" guys getting slammed ! The body does not respond well to recovery as we get older.

I prefer to ground fight above all other ranges because I'm comfortable (sort of ) and happy there. I feel safer there, I guess because I've learned to defend on the ground better than on my feet, which is more volatile I think because of the constant range changes. I find it also much harder to predict what's going to come at me when I'm not on the ground rolling around.

You would feel that way. As i have heard such said of ground fighters. After all, if you spend a good amount of time there, it would make sense that you are more comfortable with it.

Next time someone challenges you to a fight, lay down on the ground and invite him to join you ! I think that he might have 2nd thoughts ! (smile)

Nice responces guys, thanks for the feedback !

Respectfully,

[Evan Pantazi]

Here is a Jump Back Bunkai from Jim Hulse... 7th Dan Uechi-Ryu, England. Out Cold.

[GSantaniello]

Evan,

Nice shot ! As i have heard comments by some practicioners that the "Jump back" is useless or outdated. Having no value etc.

However, i beg to differ, in that all moves when examined, applicable elements can be found within.

Respectfully,

[Evan Pantazi]

Nothing is outdated except our minds. The incredible capability of the mind will... if allowed, find many answers to any question.

[KerryM]

forgive the intrusion-


interpreting kata- I thought everything was in Sanchin- if it fits within Sanchin- then your good to go? I've discovered many answers durring class by taking said question and applying it to Sanchin- or within Sanchin-

or am I doing a begginner's thing here? Wouldn't be the first time

I've found a lot of what you all are talking about- the grappling etc- the Art of Feeling- right there within Sanchin- even if said Sanchin is being done within a bad breath distance (which I loved excellent picture in my head now )

I thought that was why we "do" half the things we do in Uechi-ryu... *shrug* but I couldn't follow the whole thread so-

guess I was thinking about the fact that in interpretation matters- with any kata - it would go back to Sanchin- and the interpretation of Sanchin would be.... pretty precise wouldn't it?

*cringing*

I can't think of one thing that can't be traced back to something learned even if subtly within Sanchin- cept the grappling- you do need a partner for that part of coarse

forgive me if I've thrown a wrench in that doesn't make sense -

Kerry