THE KATA MIND By DAN TOSH

Most who study karate know that kata is the root and an essential part of the development and pathway to a greater understanding. But what is it that we are trying to understand?

Why is kata continuing to be on the lips and in the minds of those who teach and practice karate?

Kata is not only used in martial arts, it is also used in almost everything we do in life that requires learning or repetitive action. A boxer for example does shadow boxing (very much a form of kata).

The MMA competitors not only practice with each other, they also work on repetitive movements to instill the auto response required to make the actions become as automatic and reflexive as breathing.

If the need to respond requires time to decide the action in a life-or-death situation, it would be very difficult to make the effective response in the fraction of a second needed to stop the aggression.

I tell my students that kata is like rehearsing for a play or movie. It not only requires instilled memory, it requires emotion. The emotion of fear, for example, can be a weapon used against you.

To overcome fear requires the practice of mind and body joining in the actions that occur with a visual in the mind that connects the physical and mental state that would naturally occur in a heated moment of survival against a predator.

Movement without an emotional and meaningful connection has no lasting result. If the kata is done properly, it will reveal the weaknesses as well as the strengths in the actions taken in the movements, we call kata. Those weaknesses can be minimized, and the strengths can be enhanced by the proper performance of kata.

Kata without bunkai or waza (meaning or technique) is simply dance. Dance does have the mind and body emotion but no other essential element that kata provides. That’s why those who perform kata for show may or may not be a simple example of great dancing talent.

For the spectator, those flips and twirls they see in competition are thrilling I equate that to Picasso, the great artist, that painted some very out of place eyes and shapes in many of his paintings, yet he was able to paint a picture-perfect object as well.

Those who create empty minded kata, that also know the beauty and meaning of a kata that represents an effective action or reaction to the would-be opponent are truly gifted.

If kata is done with the correct mindset, the beginning includes a rei, dei, or bow. That movement is not for respect, although it certainly could be, it is for the transition from the calm and safe place you are to the dangerous place that you can see in your mind, the place that requires action to thwart off the attacks that are coming.

The next movements require an immersive mind and body relationship. The actions that take place now are very real. When you do this repeatedly, you slowly gain the auto-response required for any attack that corresponds with the attack.

The unexpected additional benefit of kata is that not only does each movement have meaning, but all the movements in every kata that you practice can be combined with any movement from any other kata. This gives you an endless number of reactions to literally any attack that could ever take place.

About the Author

Kata is an integral part of any martial art, regardless of what it is called. It is a tool that connects the mind and body. The other things that are included, such as kumite, aka sparring, bunkai, tuite’, and bag work, are to enhance the base of knowledge that is self-instilled from the practice of kata.

I have been practicing kata since 1958, and I still enhance my mind and body every single time I do it. Remember, karate is for all: the old, the

weak, the small, and the tall. So, the

movements can stay with you for

your entire life if you allow it

to be so.

Hanshi Dan Tosh, PhD, JD 10th Dan Yabu Method Shorin-ryu Karate President and Co-Founder WOSKKA World okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate and Kobudo Association toshkarate@comcast.net www.shorin-ryu.biz 925-626-7785

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