Mushin Karate place great emphasis on the importance of kata. Kata is a record of the old masters fighting systems. As such, they record all the principles and concepts of the masters fighting system.
We believe that kata is not an exercise or a tool to get your next grade. They are an effective and applicable means of self-defence in a combat situation. Contained within kata are locks, throws, punches, kicks, strikes, strangles, chokes, ground fighting techniques – pretty much everything that you need to protect yourself in a combative scenario. In order for these to be learned and understood it’s important that the karate-ka practices in the correct manner, understanding the principles, concepts of the kata, where your hands are in relation to your opponent and your stance.
How you are positioned in relation to your opponent is also important. If practicing a move and you are turning sideways, this means that in order for this move to be applied you must be side-wards on to your opponent.
We at Mushin believe that there are no wasted movements within kata, everything is there for a reason and can be used in a combative context. The “non-striking” hand is also utilised adding to the theory that there is no wasted technique.
When we are practicing kata we follow these guidelines:
Practicing the solo form – learn the moves
Learn the bunkai – understand how the moves are applicable in a combative
context
Understand the principles and concepts so that you can adapt and vary –
when you understand the bunkai you can adapt it for your own means as long as
the principles and concepts are there.
Kata based sparring - doing it live.
The role of the stance is also important. Stance should be doing two things:
Puts bodyweight into the technique
The end position of the stance should disadvantage your opponent.
As has been briefly described if you practice your kata in the right way then
it can be a valuable tool to help to defend yourself.