implied movement

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I have written a good deal of ideas, theories, beliefs and philosophies on the practice of kata and then ran across this quote, “ … kata does not teach specific movement per se, but instead it teaches implied movement. That is, movement which can be used across different situations. If kata movements were intended to counter only one specific technique, then it would be necessary to memorize and practice literally hundreds of kata.”

Possible actions and reactions are the cornerstone to achieve a certain level of proficiency in karate and martial arts self-defense. This quote stresses this thought, my thoughts, and explains why the way kata are often taught, not as much today as things are improving, involves memorization of hundreds of kata and thousands of techniques. What this does is overload the mind-set and mind-state often leading to the “Freeze.”

Kowakan blog wrote the quote, here is the article it came from, i.e., Kata & Apprenticeship.

Where I slide off to the side of the path of kata practice is concerning the fundamental principles of martial or karate disciplines. Principles tend to transcend any one style or system but focus on certain universal applications of fight methodologies through principle based application(s). This means you learn some fundamental foundational principles and methodologies that are present regardless of the movement or techniques that will work when applied proficiently and correctly that add up to a handful vs. hundreds of kata and thousands of techniques. 

I understand how large quantities of kata, techniques and system/style black belts become necessary, it is because of a commercialized model of teaching karate and martial arts. It is about keeping students interested so they get instant gratification and it is about a model that promotes specifics for testing and promotions that also lead to longevity, attendance and continued flow of money, etc. In truth, to learn karate and martial arts doesn’t really take all that much, all that much time and only a concerted, disciplined and exhaustive effort. It takes time to maintain over the long run and that is all. It requires other things far more important than basic techniques, techniques, technique driven drills, kata drills and sport oriented kumite. 

Take a look at what I believe and perceive as those principles, this is the bare bones minimum necessary to learn and apply karate and martial arts. This literally brings karate and martial arts training back to what some believe is traditional, a hand full of basic techniques with hands and feet, one to three kata maximum then other aspects listed in the principles to make it work for self-defense. All those additional kata, etc. are more of an academic benefit over actual hands on fighting and self-defense. 

PRINCIPLE ONE: PRINCIPLES OF THEORY (Universality, Control, Efficiency, Lengthen Our Line, Percentage Principle, Std of Infinite Measure, Power Paradox, Ratio, Simplicity, Natural Action, Michelangelo Principle, Reciprocity, Opponents as Illusions, Reflexive Action, Training Truth, Imperception and Deception.)

PRINCIPLE TWO: PHYSIOKINETIC PRINCIPLES (Breathing, posture, triangle guard, centerline, primary gate, spinal alignment, axis, minor axis, structure, heaviness, relaxation, wave energy, convergence, centeredness, triangulation point, the dynamic sphere, body-mind, void, centripetal force, centrifugal force, sequential locking and sequential relaxation, peripheral vision, tactile sensitivity, rooting, attack hubs, attack posture, possibly the chemical cocktail, Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat]???see below)

PRINCIPLE THREE: PRINCIPLES OF TECHNIQUE (techniques vs. technique, equal rights, compliment, economical motion, active movement, positioning, angling, leading control, complex force, indirect pressure, live energy and dead energy, torsion and pinning, speed, timing, rhythm, balance, reactive control, natural and unnatural motion, weak link, non-telegraphing, extension and penetration, Uke. Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat])

PRINCIPLE FOUR: PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSOPHY (Mind [mind-set, mind-state, etc.], mushin, kime, non-intention, yin-yang, oneness, zanshin and being, non-action, character, the empty cup.)

Principle’s One through Four: 

Pearlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power." Overlook Press. N.Y. 2006.

PRINCIPLE FIVE: PRINCIPLES OF SELF-DEFENSE (“Conflict communications; Emotional Intelligence; Lines/square/circle of SD, Three brains (human, monkey, lizard), JAM/AOJ and five stages, Adrenal stress (stress induced reality based), Violence (Social and Asocial), Pre-Attack indicators, Weapons, Predator process and predator resource, Force levels, Repercussions (medical, legal, civil, personal), Go-NoGo, Win-Loss Ratio, etc. (still working on the core sub-principles for this one)”Attitude, Socio-emotional, Diplomacy, Speed [get-er done fast], Redirected aggression, Dual Time Clocks, Awareness, Initiative, Permission, multiple attack/defense methodologies (i.e., actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat)

Principle Five: 

MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.

Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.

Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014. 

Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012

Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.

Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.

Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.

Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979. 

PRINCIPLE SIX: CHEMICAL COCKTAIL: (Attacked Mind, Train It, Breath It Away, Visualize It Away, Sparring vs. Fighting, Degradation of Technique/skills, Peripheral Vision Loss, Tunnel Vision, Depth Perception Loss/Altered, Auditory Exclusion, Weakened legs/arms, Loss of Extremity Feeling, Loss of Fine Motor Skills, Distorted Memory/perceptions, Tachypsychia (time slows), Freeze, Perception of Slow Motion, Irrelevant Thought Intrusion, Behavioral Looping, Pain Blocked, Male vs. Female Adrenaline Curve, Victim vs. Predator, The Professional, Levels of Hormonal Stimulation, ???)

Note: Understand, the first four principles were the original I learned about from the karate-ka who first put them down into written form and the last two as can be seen by the bibliography provided on those were added, by me, as critical to karate and martial arts for self-defense. I can tell you just working on the first four will take considerable effort and some time but add in that the last two would take even more time, effort and experience. It is worth while to check them all out through a study of the references provided then seek out a professional who has a solid understanding and proficiency of them all, i.e., adding in experience in a adrenal stress-condition reality based training regimen. 

Bibliography (Click the link)