I Changed My Mind About Kata

I used to think kata were useless for fighting, and were nothing more than aggressive dancing. Recent events have changed my opinion, and I'm not talking about bunkai or "basics."

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Kata Forms Kumite Karate Kajukenbo Self Defense Fighting Mental Health Wellness Meditation

[sifuscott]

I think of Kata as a type of meditation. I've struggled with depression, PTSD, and other issues. Kata has always been there for me, and has always helped me get through the tough times. Glad it works for you as well.

[kevinburkett]

I’ve heard it said that karate isn’t just self defense against another person, but defending yourself against things like aging and illness.

[JamesMMcCann]

If you're doing kata correctly, then it IS shadow boxing.
The big problem with kata is that few people keep in mind where the opponent is supposed to be at any given time. Keep in mind that when we move our hand/arm back, that's usually supposed to be holding the clothing of the other guy, it's not just for show.
When we elbow our own hand, that open hand is supposed to holding the back of the other guy's head etc.
Iain Abernethy is the guy to look at for correct/practical application of kata.
All that being said, kata is phenomenal for building endurance, for getting the technique correct, it helps immensely with calming and correcting your breathing, and can have many wonderful applications aside from having a scrap.
Good vid, great work buddy.

[lordtains]

I've never trained karate, but I have a black belt in taekwondo, and their forms (taegeuks/poomsae) are based on karate kata. I've always thought of kata as being bad for fighting but good for body control. And look at the old Okinawan men and women doing kata at the age of 80, still being healthy.. it's not just their diet that helps with their health; kata (and Chinese martial arts forms, e.g. Tai chi) is also a good and safe way to continue exercising when you're getting older.

[mikedechant]

I couldn't agree more. I studied karate from the age of 12 and took a break during during college and early in my career. I ended up getting stressed out, not sleeping much, and had bad mental health. I always tell people when they ask why I do martial arts, the same thing you say here. Our biggest battle is with ourselves and our strongest competition should be ourselves and personal improvement. I train not to beat someone up, but to not get angry and prevent myself from doing that.

[OccamsRazor]

I currently hold the rank of Shodan in Shito-Ryu, the karate style with the most katas, and in a much earlier phase of my life was 1st Kyu in Uechi-Ryu, the style with potentially the fewest katas. Without getting too deep in the weeds of what kata was likely originally intended for (a way to solo practice 2 man defense drills), the original arena the techniques were intended for (it wasn't consentual fighting in a ring or octagon), or how the sport aspect of karate has greatly changed they way they are practiced in a lot of dojos, I do want to say I agree whole heartedly with your sentiment regarding them and a person's mental/physical well-being. Kata has always been a form of moving meditation for me, and a wonderful way to clear your mind and enhance your mind-body connection. And, if you want to practice your kata at a hard and fast pace, it is a great aerobic and strength building workout. I personally practice my kata both slow and hard/fast for the total benefits package. As a young man in my late teens and early 20s I used karate a handful of times in self-defense situations (and yes, I did instinctively use a move or two from kata). However, as a middle aged man my main enemies are stress, potential cardiovascular disease, and not developing type 2 diabetes. This is what I use my karate for these days, with all of the available training methods, including sparring, bag-work, fundamentals, kobudo, and yes, kata. Anyway, I appreciate you highlighting the mental and emotional benefits of kata practice. Keep up the good work.

[DrNoSeanC]

This is one of the best videos on karate I have seen in a very long time. I think we all from time to time ask ourselves these questions about the purpose and meaning of kata. I regard karate training as stress-relieving single-tasking, which means my brain relaxes better than when l sleep.

[pallan]

I am glad you were able to benefit from the more practical benefits of martial arts training. I have trained in JKA-style Shotokan karate for 52 years since I was 17 years old. In the first dojo I trained in, we had two-hour classes in three parts: kihon, kumite and kata. Kata was always last. Our sensei wanted to see our resilience and perseverance in performing katas correctly after the grueling basics and sparring since he thought kata was the heart of karate. He thought mental and physical toughness were essential and correct kata practice will help in developing them. I was there for 3 years and learned the 5 Heian katas. I was a green belt. At that time, katas were assigned to rank. I do not see that nowadays.
You are right, most martial artists never would use their learned skills in combat situations for the reasons you mentioned. Rather, we are all subject to our human frailties. I practice karate/kata almost everyday for this reason. Now I have the choice of 26 Shotokan katas. Good luck to you and thank you for this video. This to me is a validation of the 'folk dances' I hold dear.

[johnnymetal]

Timely video.

Excellent points, well said.

[ShihanTomCallahan]

I am happy KATA helped you with your anxiety. One of the MANY benefits of KATA. I hope you can continue to learn an appreciate the myriad of components that not only make up a martial artist but also contribute to being a great fighter.

[jessicamorris]

I love thinking of kata as a grounding technique, but even more I love the idea of it as the moves for your mental battle. Kata has never been my favorite, but this new perspective gives it value to me, too.

[KarateUnity]

L
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THIS!
So many uses for Kata: meditation, stretching, a diagnostic (ie, where is my balance off, what muscles need work, where is my mind and focus today? etc), and a database of biomechanical tools that need to be adapted for your fighting purpose, and a whole lot more....great video bro!

[benjaminforster]

Thank you for sharing your experience with panic attacks and therapy. It shows strength and courage to be able to do that.

[Taekwon-Brando]

I love this man, I used to compete in kata/poomsae competitions all the time. But that doesn’t deter me from judo and bjj along with my boxing and Taekwondo

[dirkvader]

I used to hate kata in my younger years. Especially how my instructor drills us into it. It was pretty rigid. But overall, it helped with self discipline. If you could endure the training, you can endure anything. I'm in my 40s and I have stopped competing in kumite. Although I have cross trained in MMA and Muay Thai, and I now workout religiously, I still do kata for the health (both mental and physical) benefits.

[egontokessy]

Some people say kata was created by people who wanted to pass their techniques down because they couldn't read or write, some people say that it's a method of conditioning that helps the practitioner fight with a conditioned and flexible body and some say it's a way of combat meditation.

Either way I don't think it really matters as we already got a falsifiable way to test what's efficient in martial arts and what isn't, so there is no reason why we can't just appreciate these martial arts and there culture and kata for what they are.

I love kata and I love aesthetics in martial arts as well as the dirt practical combat and self defense. I want to see these patterns of movement preserved for as long as possible. The culture in these martial arts are full of richness.

[leavemealone]

The primary justification my instructor always gave us for forms training was the level of mastery over yourself it develops.

I would also recommend looking into Iain Abernathy's material on kata bunkai. It is not just based on creatively interpreting the movements lile many people do, but based on thorough research into historical sources on how the old masters trained and how kata fit into that. He has a progression system of kata-drills-sparring where you spar with the techniques you have drilled taken from the kata. This isn't the 1-step, 3-step, 5-step "sparring" that many are familiar with, but real sparring that actually looks a lot like MMA Clinch fighting

[staysafemartialarts]

I always used Kata as a way of meditation. The ability to get lost in the movements was always such a draw for me

[kevionrogers]

That is why Bodhidarma supposedly taught the Shaolin Monks to strengthen the meditation. Its a form of yoga to join the mind, breathing, and body. Grounding and rooting yourself together atone.

[eljukavi]

By definition Kata is not meant to teach you "how to fight". Only fighting (to a certain extent sparring, shadow, some randori, etc.) teaches you how to fight. BUT to say Bunkai is not a reason just means you are still young and have yet much to learn - then again in martial arts, discovery is life-long, so in that sense even after 3 decades, I could still say the same about me. You have, however, provided a significant touchpoint to the phrase "martial arts is life". I'm sincerely glad you've discovered a way of funneling and taming such a potentially devastating adversity. Serendipity at it's best. I do think your reason for exploring and practicing kata is absolutely legit and even inspiring! Sincere best wishes in overcoming your struggle(s), sir.