The Role of Kata

[@mr.philroussin1649]

The best explanation of Kata in 42 years of martial arts practice.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Thank you! That means a lot!

[@theshadow3001]

Me too 43 years

[@666Havers]

Funakoshi gave us books (kata) but never taught us how to read it and apply them. I feel cheated for learning so many katas but never got taught anything about applying them. 1000s of hours spent doing these katas without ever questioning the purpose. It was doing a dance to win a medal. There was a severed thread when karate came to japan. I thank iain for re tying the thread to karates original purpose.

[@Raysnature]

Absolutely right on doing kata at full intensity. My instructor can spar all day long and barley raise his pulse. Watch him do one kata an he is breathing hard at the end.

[@mrjozo-pr6ih]

T.Okazaki and Dr.med M.V. Stricevic analysed the effect of certain Katas on the pulse and other physiological effects for that matter. Their book ; modern Karate, finds differences in this regard, for each kata, so much so that one could present them a curve and they could tell which kata is represented by it.

[@AlofD]

Kata is tough on the heart. I sweat buckets doing kata!

[@FirstDan2000]

Love the passion that Iain shows when explaining his view. No condescension or arrogance, and everything he says can be tested, explored and analysed. And you make up your own mind.

[@GaryHill77]

As always articulate, consice and pragmatic. Great stuff.

[@ericblanchard3116]

As a brown belt going for his first degree black belt next year, this is making me think of the concept of kata in a new light. Thank you for your wise words sensei!

[@krait44]

Love this!!! "The best medium for recording human movement is the body." What a great quote!

[@goodbuy7556]

Only and BIG problem with this video is that only 6000 people seen it

[@AlofD]

I'm a huge fan of your mindset when it comes to kata and karate in general. My thoughts on kata are similar to my thoughts on marching. You don't march to prove you can walk, you don't do kata to prove that you can fight. The dojo that I train at focuses on kumite, but there is a strong kata element as well. I love kata as a way to supplement my training. I take an additional view that given the absence of anything else, if karate was the only thing I did for fitness (it's not) then kumite would be akin to cardio and kata to strength based training. I hope I haven't rambled to much but your video inspired this tirade! Much respect!

[@nopeengi1619]

This also helped me understand kung fu forms in a more deep way, thanks!

[@iwct]

Well explained. Concise and to the point. It’s great to see someone who understands the importance of kata, but also can explain the relevance. Thanks Iain.

[@johnnymorbergnielsen]

Very well spoken Sesei Iain. My background is in Taekwondo, but what you said is exactly the same for the Taekwondo forms (Taegeuk, Palgwe, Poomsae & Hyungs). I have practiced for more than thre decades now and The longer I practice and the more I learn the clearer it is to me how similar Karate and Taekwondo is. At a higher leve all lessons apply to both styles. Thank you for your insight and thank you for sharing.

[@blockmasterscott]

One common misconception of forms is that they are made for fighting, when in fact they are made for self defense. That’s why when you see two guys square off you don’t see any kata techniques. Fighting is two guys going el mano el mano while self defense is some thug jumping you when you are walking to your car. Two entirely different things.

[@MrMattias87]

Pretty much and yet there are those out there who don't know self defense applications to the forms.

[@mamneo2]

Ok, then what are the "fighting" katas?

[@areitomusic]

So either you posted this comment without watching the video, or you just watched it for the visual aspect, and completely tuned out what he said, or muted the audio. Because you still don't get it.

[@truthwillprevail821]

I disagree with this totally, self defense is fighting, like Mas Oyama said practice a kata 10000 times till you really KNOW the kata then you can actually use it in fighting

[@laperrablanca1]

Great explanation of the real essence of kata and the best I've ever seen. That's what our sensei tell us always, practice the kata with full intent, since you are not concerned with your partner safety. Thank you Iain sensei!

[@squashcourtdojo]

Iain what you do is great. This video is spot on; it verbalizes decades of somewhat diffuse training concisely in one short clip, as you manage to do so often. Thanks for sharing all this material over the years!

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Thanks for the kind words and the support! Delighted you find it useful.

[@simonclibbett9077]

Absolutely spot on , kata is the foundation that holds up karate , regardless of style. Thankyou for sharing!

[@unlimitedultimate3124]

thank you sensei Iain I like how you get it clear and your explanations.

[@NYKgjl10]

Kata is a road map for Karatekas which is vital and holds the key for discovering new techniques and strategy

[@dionvolifnapp4467]

Best explanation ever! Just an extremely talented teacher! Amazing!

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Thank you!

[@frippabes]

Sometimes it's difficult for me to keep a beginner's mind, specially with kata since its repetitiveness might lead to make it a mere routine. Thank you for reminding me that the mindset is an element that I shouldn't overlook.

[@lagrims6770]

Thanks ever so much for such a clear explanation. Great message.

[@Reason1717]

Been doing Kata, Hyungs, Kuen for decades, never realized about the intent aspect...maybe that's why like you I love doing my Kata. Damn good video sir.

[@wesbrown3831]

I wish I could give you more than a thumbs up... thank you! Passing this on to my students as required watching and note taking for this week! Its one thing for me to say it, its another for someone else to reinforce and add more to it...

[@practicalkatabunkai]

I'm pleased that helps Wes. My intention is always to be of help to people and it's good to know when I hit the mark.

[@pavelkucera7421]

Really nice video, i think all karatekas should think about this topic.

[@jimboyer3528]

This was an amazing, amazing thought provoking video! Thank you so much for sharing. I am on the beginning side of karate later on in life and so enjoy practicing kata. Great lesson!

[@fireeaglefitnessmartialart935]

I say thank you. this is stuff I've been wanting to say about kata for a while. I've been back and forth about its merit, but I understand it's usefulness. also, any fighting style traditional or not has sort of a kata concept. any judo practitioner that practices his throws on his/her own is using kata. shadow boxing can be a sub-variation of kata. But I agree with everything you said.

[@billc.4584]

This was just an awesome talk. Thank you very much Iain. Peace.

[@timlinator]

Kata is the curriculum of Karate. Solo practice and workout, I know 30 kata's at this point doing each one twice at a good pace takes over an hour and is one hell of a great aerobic workout. I do this kata workout almost every day even when on vacation and only need myself and enough space. Much more fun than a treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike. In Kata you should be using full power and technique visualizing an attacker or attackers. As you said it needs to be combined with sparring, bag work, fitness, etc. Diabetes runs in my family and took my fathers life at this point I am working out with Karate, especially Kata nearly every day to avoid diabetes more than an attacker that will probably never happen if you take proactive measures to avoid trouble.

[@fallingleaveskungfu]

A lot of excellent points. I'm going to steal "The Matrix of Training" term. I use "The Four R's" to describe a similar concept, meaning that all training has to go through four levels: remedial, rehearsed, reactive, and then resisted. Forms/kata are remedial and rehearsed movement practices. I would reorganize some of these thoughts to start with the premise that the primary role of exercises like kata, first and foremost, is to teach us fundamental, good shapes and the movement patterns that allow us to transition from one good shape to another. I think the quote by Motubu that "kata are just templates" summarizes that nicely. Talking about water doesn't make the lips wet. At the end of the day, martial arts is an experiential practice.

[@julianroninbb]

This year I've trained Kata a lot! and the one big thing I've noticed from training Kata is that the stances have really helped improve my old injuries & help strengthen imbalances. I kind of view it like violent Yoga haha

[@stevenhutton2691]

When performing kata think fight! When fighting think kata!

[@tashihishey34]

Kata movements as I have learnt I think from you is a flinch reaction to an attack, where the flinch reaction acts as a defence to the attack as the kata kicks in from muscle memory to attack the attacker.

[@candidob8683]

Just awesome!! The value of Kata!

[@bryandivers1552]

Sensei Iain, top man...great vid

[@popcornzbd]

I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right, kata is the book, so to speak. After that it gets complicated. Such as technique in strict kata form. And then the technique in other than strict kata form. There's stuff buried in those katas.

[@blakefriesen1216]

Yes. Kata is a living encyclopedia for encapsulation information.

[@sevionmelidan1682]

Nice video. I've been learning western boxing - I have no experience with karate - but it occurs to me that stringing together all my techniques and combinations in this way would probably be a very effective way to practice them, along with other types of training.

[@freddiepiras391]

I absolutely love this

[@gavjam5]

Thank you!

[@PhilGreeleyJR]

Thank you

[@coachakis]

Bags don't fight back...:D great video again.

[@fabio1160]

Thanks Iain for this great video. I follow you for some time now, and I can honestly tell you, that your hints and teaching and interpretations have CHANGED the way in which I interpret karate. Honestly, all of a sudden everything started to make sense, just by changing my perspective. Therefore, please, take the following comments as a friendly hook for a conversation and discussion, and not as a negative critique. I will separate this in three different comments after this. I'd be happy if you could satisfy my curiosity.

[@fabio1160]

#1 "every move means something". You have said that several times. The ikki-te means something, there is no such thing as "hiding the hands from your enemy, and so on". I noticed, however, that sometimes, in the interpretation of a kata, you tend to privilege some techniques to other ones. You very often interpret those movements as clearing the limbs of the opponent,arm bar from above, neck cranks. It looks strange to me that, with all the diversity of katas, the interpretation of the attacks so often translates to that. I realise that in self defence only simple, direct, immediate things work, and that anatomy is not an opinion, and a neck crank is effective. But I still feel that there is a complexity we are missing, in all the variety of movements that populate the kata (if it is true that every move means something)

[@fabio1160]

#2 The intro: Very often, you start the interpretation by either assuming that the enemy attacks with a grab (one or two hands), or assuming that you "got in contact with the enemy in some way". And the rest is either a drill, or different options, or "what if"s . Now, if I imagine a self defence context, immediately come to my mind a lot of more different ways in which I may be attacked. Someone can simply start punching without warning/pushing/grabbing, or he can grab a blunt object of some sort, or he can try and hold me while another one strikes, and he can do that from the side of from the rear (I know that facing a direction in kata does not represent an opponent from that side, but rather YOU trying to get a better angle... still an attack from the side or from the rear is something that I would expect to happen in a street fight). Then again, multiple opponents, or the concept of taking some shots and keep on fighting. If traditional karate is for self defence, there has to be something in that sense, in the core of the art, and in the katas.

[@fabio1160]

#3: oh, I forgot what was the third point. Nevermind. Thumbs up again, great great job. Thank you

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Hi Fabio, Thanks for the kind words! The kata were created for civilian self-protection and therefore it is not surprising that they are generally devoid of complexity. The kata were created by different people, at different times, in different parts of the world … but they are all addressing the same problem (civilian self-protection). Common solutions to a common problem is therefore not surprising either. The kata also addresses all the things you list; indeed there are quite a few videos on those topics on this channel. KZbin is no substitute for being in the same room, so misunderstandings are sure to arise from short clips taken from full days of instruction. Hopefully we can talk in person someday and I can hopefully help clear up any misunderstanding about how I approach kata. In the meantime, I hope you find the videos of some use and thank you for the support. All the best, Iain

[@SuperFamiKing]

It's like an encyclopedia. There are techniques for each circumstance. You take what works for you at the time. Its not supposed to represent a real fight as they are mostly hard to replicate. It's because people didn't have other methods to record the moves in the old times.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Great video :)

[@cubbykovu8955]

Damn I need a Fren to Train with then

[@HomelessNinjaKennedy]

I agree with everything you said (and gave the video a 👍), however, everything you said is also true for shadow boxing. So the real question is: what's the role traditional kata? Most styles upgrade a bit every generation (Judo, boxing, kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai even, all look different than they did in the 70s). A few Karate styles are changing with the times too (for example Enshin (sp?) Karate has kata that punch from the face rather than the hip), but most dojos insist on training traditional kata without justification (including my old dojo). Is it just because Karate values tradition more than progress? Any thoughts? Thanks.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Thanks for the comment and the like! YOU WROTE: “however, everything you said is also true for shadow boxing.” I’d disagree there. “Shadow boxing” (and the less specific shadow combat) is the free form practise of pre-existing skills. The set sequences of kata are set pieces designed to illustrate a specific concept ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2GVlWCHisSUpac ). The first role of kata discussed in the video was: “1) Continuity and Organisation of Information”. Free form practise (“shadow boxing”) does not give you that. Set pieces do. Any set pieces are “kata” in a traditional sense; irrespective of whether they are put end to end or not. All martial arts have them in some form. Both set-pieces and free from practise are important and useful, but they are not the same. YOU WROTE: “Most styles upgrade a bit every generation (Judo, boxing, kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai even, all look different than they did in the 70s).” Karate does too. “Karate changes every few years. This change happens because a teacher will continue to learn and add his personality to the teachings. There is an old saying that likens karate to a pond. In order for the pond to live, it must have fresh water. It must have streams that feed and replenish the pond. Without fresh water the pond becomes stagnant and dies. If a martial arts teacher does not learn new ideas and new methods, then his karate will die. It will stagnate, become boring, and die of unnatural causes.” - Choshin Chibana “Times change, the world changes, and obviously the martial arts must change too.” - Gichin Funakoshi YOU WROTE: “A few Karate styles are changing with the times too (for example Enshin (sp?) Karate has kata that punch from the face rather than the hip)…” I would disagree that punching from a guard is a positive change because it all depends on context. Duelling from a distance with a follow martial artist should see the participants use a guard. However, that’s an irrelevance for the close-range word of self-protection where the hands are better being active than passive. Instead of the hand being a passive guard, it can be actively used to locate the enemy and to clear that path for limbs (the traditional use of hand on the hip in kata). Why guards are not for self-defence: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3qWZ5iuh8Zmi8U What the “hand on the hip” is doing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3rJpXydetuhicU More on what the hand on the hip is doing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g522ZoyVYraMZpY If you want to make a “fighting kata” then having a high guard would be a good idea. If we are talking about self-protection, then active hands would be the way to go (kata shows active hands). YOU WROTE: “but most dojos insist on training traditional kata without justification (including my old dojo).” I can’t say that’s been my experience. Most of the dojo I know keep things that are working in place, but they are also open to new ideas and improvements. The kata, when correctly understood and contextualised, work fine as they are so radical change is not only unnecessary but counterproductive. YOU WROTE: “Is it just because Karate values tradition more than progress?” There’s not one universal “karate”. There are some martial artists who do put false notions of “purity” and their “pseudo-tradition” ahead of function. However, that’s not traditional in the true sense (as per quotes above). Conversely, there are also some martial artists who commit the same mistake in the other direction i.e. “newer is always better”. Personally, there are newer practises I have adopted, and older ones I have rejected … and there are newer practises I have rejected, and older ones I have kept. Kata is one of the older practises I have kept because it has demonstrated its utility to me. I hope the helps expand my thinking and thanks once again for the like and the comment! All the best, Iain

[@Ivan-td7kb]

Kata is like the goose step in the military, which is a marching step used when soldiers were firing muskets at each other in a line formation. Why does the military still practice an obsolete 18th century tactic when we no longer fight that way? Because it builds discipline, coordination and efficiency. Same thing with the kata, it perfects your form.

[@restoringheroesproject]

I have been studying Martial Arts for 31years Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do mainly. I don't know what to do because I am questioning the validity of the TKD kata/forms. When I apply the principles spoke of in this and other videos they don't make sense at times (the forms that is). Please help

[@restoringheroesproject]

@Yung Drippy how to teach bunkai to palgwe 3

[@reidforth8956]

Iain....very thoughtful and informative video....are you cutting weight? Looking trim. Reid

[@Ronin-101]

Someone: why do people hate Kata? Me: people hate what they don't understand.

[@mark11145]

AMEN!

[@72cjrowe]

Thank-you for sharing this! How do we keep the intent of what the pioneers of a martial art wanted from the technique? TKD has lots of blocks, that could be used for blocks but could also be used as a strike, or grab. Yet if we want to keep the history of the art, is it okay to deviate from how it was originally explained?

[@areitomusic]

Iain Abernethy - I have been saying this to people for decades. Nobody wants to accept that it is that simple an explanation. You bunkai and you oyo with your dojo brother. Easy does it, so as not to hurt your karate family. Then, kata allows you to execute that newly understood full power. Now, I just leave them in their ignorance.

[@karaterahul4717]

Great knowledge Sensei I am from india. . Please upload Video about "challenge when we opened New Dojo." What are challenge?

[@stephennordlinger365]

Yes but any older karate person will tell you snapping moves in katas causes micro tears in your ligaments and tendons. We don’t take breaks from training so the tears never get a chance to heal and get worse. I’m in my 50’s and do all my Shotokan Katas slow and smooth like I’m doing Tai chi Chuan.

[@Darragh62]

Vast majority of people now are still in the mimic stage.

[@yuriivanov8751]

that is FACING THE ENEMY....Even your not going to hurt your partner. of course...but without this spirit all is useless and lost time....You are Absolutely rigth

[@dermotrooney9584]

👍

[@patricks1560]

Kata is what happened when secrets became unavailable. There are many secrets in kata.

[@luismozotorres7428]

Patrick S that sounds deep

[@shankarsatheesan6846]

I love your work! Thanks for another video explaining thoroughly and clearly why we practice kata. You think I should send this to some keyboard MMA warriors to make them understand, or should I let them revel in their stupidity?😂😂

[@adammills9715]

This is a fantastic video that brings up a lot of good points. I agree with you that many mma practiconers misunderstand kata however I would add that this is completely understandable due to how kata has been practiced in the mainstream up until recently. In my opinion many, perhaps even most of the criticisms of kata from the mma camp are pretty much valid when kata is not trained as part of a holistic whole and interpreted in a realistic way. The misunderstanding of kata in combat sports and rbsd systems stems from a misunderstanding of kata by Karateka. Luckily that's starting to change :)

[@shankarsatheesan6846]

@@adammills9715 I agree with you. MMA practicioners do raise legitimate points, in fact I get these questions myself since I practice MMA too. But I see many practicioners who are extremely misinformed about kata as a whole, as well as keyboard warriors who just want to insult people to feel good about themselves, and sometimes I feel like saying, "just stfu and watch this video!".

[@adammills9715]

@@shankarsatheesan6846 yeah agreed, I completely get that!

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Most of the criticisms of kata that I see are entirely valid. Sadly, at this time, there are many karateka who espouse the faulty view of kata that is being critiqued (“too deadly to be drilled with a partner”, etc). It’s therefore not those doing the critiquing that are at fault. It’s our “fellow” karateka. Those from outside karate who critique kata are normally espousing the same concerns that those of us within karate have about these incorrect and impractical approaches. They are not our enemies, but our allies. They speak the truth and any objective person can see that. Hopefully, it will inspire more and more karateka to think about how they practise and to look at the more pragmatic and authentic approach that is available to all those who want it.

[@adammills9715]

@@practicalkatabunkai couldn't agree more. I wish Karateka and martial artists in general were less tribalistic and willing to take on and examine criticism. If all Karateka took a step back and decided on a more objective approach, not based on tradition for the sake of tradition or the niceties of the kneeling bow then 3 K would disappear entirely and maybe we'd all get on a bit better :)

[@littlegiantrobo6523]

Lately, I've been thinking kata is a skeleton--an internal frame. It's strong, essential, and the foundational construct of our bodies. But, without muscles, tendons, organs, blood vessels and the like, it's not as useful. Likewise, all that tissue is a useless blob without the skeleton to hold it together.

[@jessehardin8500]

Is it a terrible idea to try to learn kata on KZbin if I'm to poor to afford membership

[@areitomusic]

It is not a good idea if you are a beginner. You have no understanding of the body mechanics involved in any given art. And there in much inaccurate info and people gaining likes and subscriptions. Something will come along.

[@pt3800]

Hi... I've martial arts background and I do understand the funktion of traditional kata... but what is that kata seen on Karate kata competitions? In most other styles I do see an imaginary opponent and I do see/understand the interaction happening in the shaddows. But modern karate kata in competitions, I honestly don't get. Are there even imaginary shadow-opponents? Because to my eyes the moves of modern karate kata don't make any sence. It seems as it is just a bunch of moves, not connected to eachother, just to look fancy🤷‍♂️

[@ryanstewart939]

why not just freestyle the foundations once learnt? information can still be passed on in this manner without pre arranged forms, intent can be performed regardless of prearranged kata, Budo can be practised without throwing a punch. The longer im around Karate I feel most people just don't like the idea of admitting there is a lot of nonsense ,and the art can be effectively past on regardless of kata. eg distance concepts the way you strike, movement can all be taught without pre arranged Kata. Ego of hiding behind black belt and feeling like the kata u learn at 10 years in separates you from peers with less years training , when infact its beneficial to be able to teach any art effectively in less years.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

YOU WROTE: “why not just freestyle the foundations once learnt?” A vital practice. I’m am saying that is VITAL. That would be stages 3 and 4 as explained in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2GVlWCHisSUpac The question presupposes you think I’m advising against that. Nothing could be further from the truth. The linked video will explain more. I can’t cover everything in one video, but I hope that helps. I agree on the some of the other points too. I agree, that more kata does not make you better. That’s a well-established traditional principle i.e. “In my day they studied narrow and deep; today they study broad and shallow” and “[Kata] must be practised such that it can be applied in an emergency, for knowledge of just the sequence of a kata in karate is useless.” (Both from Gichin Funakoshi). YOU WROTE: “movement can all be taught without pre arranged Kata” Depends what you mean by “kata”. It seems I may define “kata” differently to you. Every style has some “set pieces” or drills they use to illustrate key ideas. A boxer’s jab, cross, lead-hook is a “kata” in that it is a specific and set combination. Some systems have both one-person and two-person versions (i.e. karate), and some are always two-person (i.e. judo kata). All “set pieces” are kata; and all arts have them. I would argue that you can’t teach movement without having a defined moment to teach in the first instance … and any defined movement is, by traditional definitions, kata. You don’t need to put the defined pieces end to end (although that can be a key part of a system’s defined pedagogy), and it seems is that practise that you personally label as “kata”. Regardless of semantics, once these key ideas have been understood - via set prices and defined drills - then they need to be “freestyled” and adapted to changing circumstances. As with all arts, that’s also part of how karate is supposed to work. The kata are not ends in themselves; just as the set pieces are not ends in themselves in other systems. In pretty much all striking arts, some form of “shadow boxing” is included in training. Karate simply puts the essential set pieces end to end in a form of shadow boxing called kata. As I say, the problem is the kata has become an end in itself and not part of the process in the linked video. The problem is futher compounded by the fact that “kata” means differing things to differing people. All the best, Iain

[@ryanstewart939]

@@practicalkatabunkai I appreciate your view, and I agree with most of what you said, it just seems the masses that practice idolise perfect forms, and do only practice the defined pieces end to end. If Karate is truly pragmatic the masses whom practice should start to encourage a less dogmatic approach to training and become more practical, and understand kata arranged in the 1890s would probably be updated if the inventors were alive to see it practiced today. Just some delusional experiences I had while investing in Karate, we would spar I would catch the kick and sweep, (teacher) we don't do that, even though its effective you wouldn't ? never practice grappling (even though original Okinawa karate had it) would only throw techniques in a karate manner straight and linear , and respond to it with prearanged form, all hook punching defence was as though every one in the world threw huge circular punches, so we could block with a traditional parry. anyway I like your thinking and hope others start to explore the options within the art. all the best.:)

[@Scp-087-B-k9l]

@@practicalkatabunkai almost 30+ years ago. " Man I can say I'm old now" I would say I hate Kata this was before UFC/MMa was mainstream. I. Was a JKD " practitioner" u know the usual take what's effect throw away the rest. But one day I read a quote from his book about crystalized marital arts. That how marital arts ate so stuck in there traditions and forms but the next thing he said was. To break that crystallization you first have to be come the crystal. And that quote for ever changed me. It made me realize even in JKD how much we focus on certain foundations. Even in JKD I realized I need to be the crystal and so I took Kenpo since thats all I had. Ed parker style. Kenpo has a few forms but it's mostly so many techniques per belt. Got black belt and quit due to college but till this day I still practice my fundamentals but my personal style of Kenpo is not what it was when I first started. My Kenpo is not parkers but my base techniques are still the same. And I feel that's how I see Kata it's a base a foundation once mastered you out grow it and evoke karate into something that becomes you. Ed parker and Bruce lee climbed the same mountain but took different. Paths to get there. And I feel all marital artist goals are the same. Kata has it's purpose. Take it master it than mold it into somthing that makes it you

[@areitomusic]

@@ryanstewart939 those limitations are human imposed and have nothing to do with the art itself.

[@shaunclubberlang2887]

what about the idea that you can still do kata when you get to the point in your life that you no longer see value in being "tough"? That you can divorce the moves of kata from violent intent, and just do them as a moving meditation? Sooner or later, being "a tough guy" just gets old.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Longevity is definitely one thing that kata provides (as are health, art, fun, sport, etc) ... however, at 0:20 I stated that the video is only looking at the combative roles of kata.

[@shaunclubberlang2887]

@@practicalkatabunkai Hi Iain. Yes I must clarify. I love your work and I think you have done so much to rescue what was effectively an art that would have died without people such as yourself. I mean.. five step sparring.. are you kidding me? Who even uses oizuki in the the street? All I'm saying is I find that it now, I sometimes do kata just for the movement aspect, and I don't actually think about how to apply it, and I don't particularly care. I know what I'm going to do in the unlikely even that someone attacks me and it bears no relation to anything in any kata. And even when I was a black belt and had actual real fights, neither did that bear and any relation to kata. But of course, life is a journey, and I also think that you need to go through the stages, one of them being able to "look after yourself" before you move on from that.

[@burntrim]

@@shaunclubberlang2887 I agree with you, especially about bunkai, who cares. 100's of moves and if you're really unlucky ( someone who is a police officer or works on the doors excluded ) you'll have a fight every 5 years and probably execute 2 or 3 moves and there'll be a punch or kick in there somewhere. I can't decide if learning bunkai is good or bad, it's interesting in teaching I suppose

[@shaunclubberlang2887]

@@burntrim I do like seeing the bunkai from an intellectual perspective. It's a whole rediscovery thing. I spent more time than I should have trying to be someone who could really handle themselves. And all In that time I don't recall using a single thing from any kata I ever learnt. Even If I had the knowledge that Iain has, it would have gone to waste. Your mind goes blank when things really go off. Letting it go of those days is liberating. The kata being just a dance was a negative when I was young. Now it's a positive.

[@burntrim]

@@shaunclubberlang2887 Yep, I suppose it is interesting, like discovering new things. That said, I don't think me personally or perhaps others, should put too much thought into the reason for this or that, I'm beginning to wonder if it may even be detrimental to do so. And here's a thought, "This move really means this..." Well why not make that move obvious, rather than have several different alternatives or interpretations? I study kata for my own reasons and enjoy it

[@TriggaPleas]

Learn slow-forget slow.

[@hi-q2261]

If you don't understand what you're doing or why you're doing it is a waste of time "KATA" that's the problem nobody understands KATA well 🤨