Engine design and Kata Training

Kata training gets a lot of bad press by folks that don't understand it. Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate stated that "if you don't put yourself in the Kata, then you'll only be moving around like a dancer with no purpose."

Funakoshi Sensei was a very smart man.

There's a three principle approach to Kata training in three Japanese words, Shu, Ha and Ri.

Shu is the first phase of training. This phase a person is "polishing" or practicing the movements exactly over and over again. Muscle memory type stuff.

The Ha phase is where you break those movements down and completely take them apart. It's like a student learning to build a car engine (Shu) over and over again, and then in the Ha phase, the student rips the engine apart over and over, looking at different ways to put the engine back in ways that would make it more effective.

The Ri phase is one of understanding why the engine was designed like it was and why it is applicable to your use. Also, there's an appreciation of why the designers of the engine did things they way they did. It's doesn't mean that you can't design your own engine at this phase, it means that you have appreciation and respect for the designers that came before you that taught you about engine design through your study.

Good training,
Joe

2010 - It's about time

2009 wasn't one of my "better" years. Professionally, I had to take a pay cut to save others within the Corporation from being let go. Philosophically, I have mixed emotions about what happened to my salary in helping others retain their jobs. I can argue both sides of the situation. Capitalism vs Socialism, Wall Street getting big payouts, all of the news headlines we all read during 2009 effected me in some way or another.

I'm glad it is a new year. I'm glad it is a new decade.

My priorities have shifted significantly.

I'm getting back to basics, keeping everything simple going forward.

I'm excited from a Martial Arts perspective as I will be more involved with the IUKF and George Mattson. George has been a pioneer in the Uechi-ryu world for a long time. Love him or hate him, George Sensei is one of those guys that put Uechi on the map and continues to do so.

I've heard from my friends in the larger Uechi-ryu Karate-do community that the Okikukai organization is going through another split. It's too bad. I question advanced stages of Karate study with ego, money and political power. Exactly what good Budo should not be.

I'm looking forward to working with my Coach Jake Steinmann this year in Muay Thai. I miss that guy. I miss having him yell at me too.

I'm grateful for Nate and Pat at MassBJJ letting me be part of the Academy there and look forward to seeing Professor Roberto Maia more this year too.

My small group of guys that work with me on Thursday nights are simply awesome. What a great work ethic and really an outstanding group of people. I want to say thank you to them for the inspiration they've given me through 2009.

I'm looking forward to working hard and seeing everyone.

There's a new Macaco fino in the house. He's hungry again!

Good training,
Joe