The Shotokan Way

I've recieved lots of positive emails about my interview, featured in the November 23rd edition of 'The Shotokan Way'. This online magazine, created by Welsh Shotokan karateka, Shaun Banfield and Emma Robbins, has many great interviews and articles.

Here is the link to the interviews page: http://www.theshotokanway.com/interviewlinks.html scroll down to the bottom.

OSU, Andre

© André Bertel, Japan 2007.

Back to the basics

Do you fully utilize your back muscles in your karate techniques? And are they strong enough to maximize your potential? In one of my June articles; 'The Optimum Karate Physique' (located here http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2007/06/optimal-karate-physique.html) I stated my belief that 'karate specific muscles' must be developed. Naturally, this is commonsense; however, it means nothing, unless we translate this into physical training.

Your back muscles (in particular latissimus dorsi), due to their enormous power, must be physically understood, and fully applied in your techniques. The best way to establish how much you use your back muscles (or any specific muscles or joints) is via isolation training. Here are some very simple examples:

Try various tsukiwaza (punching techniques), uchiwaza (striking techniques) and ukewaza (blocking techniques) with complete focus on your back muscles. Execute techniques, both into the air, and against a target. In this process, don’t forget to self-check (experiment) how your other muscles and joints function. Take particular note of your shoulders, chest and abdomen. After this I recommend focusing on your back muscles, and backbone, working collectively. I really recommend training mawashi-zuki and kake zuki in this practice, in addition to the typical straight punches, strikes, and fundamental ‘blocks’. I found mawashi-zuki to be particularly interesting, but I will leave that for you to discover if you haven't already!

My muscle training: Many people have emailed me (since the June article) asking what I do to train my body, and I can honestly say, that I only do karate. For years I have not done any serious weight training, and have relied on body weight exercises, kihon and kata (and to be honest, mostly kihon and kata). My target is 'karate efficiency' as opposed to 'looking nice'. As I stated in June, karate has given me some shape, and that is a byproduct I admit that I am happy about. I'd like to say here, that I'm sure any bodybuilder would have a good laugh, at my photo above (of my back muscles). But in saying that, the muscles I have developed are simply specific to maximize my impact power. I have no desire to have 'ripples' or increase my size.

To conclude this article I would like to mention that karateka, like other athletes, should regularly include isolation training in their regimes (both self-training and when/if they instruct others). This will maximize the potential of their own karate, and that of their students. Whether training your back or any other muscle or joint, isolation training enhances self-awareness, and self-awareness leads to greater physical control. This physical control is why going 'back to the basics' is a never ending process in ones training.

© André Bertel, Japan 2007

Air karate

Why practice techniques into thin air with power? Isn’t it more effective and safer to train techniques powerfully, when hitting a tangible target such as a makiwara, heavy bag, focus mitt, or impact shield? What then is the purpose of practicing blocks, punches, strikes, grappling techniques, and kicks with 'forced power' into open space (which I loosely refer to as ‘air karate’)? This question must readily be answered, especially by instructors, as so much training time is dedicated to ‘hitting the invisible man’. Instructors, who can’t decisively answer this question clearly have the ‘traditional blinkers’ on.

Here are some points to further illustrate my view:

(1) Air karate is not optimal training for self-defence, or ‘real confrontational’ training, and practical application. A quick glance readily establishes that kihon and kata ‘attacking the micro particles floating around in the bamboo dojo’ can never improve ma-ai (distancing) and ‘fight timing’.

(2) Air karate is highly limited, and certainly, a far from optimal means, of developing ‘impact power’. One should not forget that impact power is the nucleus of ‘budo’ karate! That is, ‘the single finishing blow’, is the trademark of the traditional styles.

(3) The majority of dojo training time (kihon and kata, which I would say takes up ‘at least 60%’ in most clubs. Most probably at least 80+% from my experience) is completely dedicated to ‘air karate’.

Going by the above points, I believe that there is a VERY STRONG CASE against air karate training, and orthodox karate itself, as a fighting art in the real world. It is seemingly a perfect example of self-contradiction. Therefore, we now have to establish “What is air karate training for?” This is especially important for instructors, who need to be able to honestly justify the training schedules they have their students follow.

*****************
The Purpose of Air Karate: ‘Karate the Martial ART’
The purpose of 'air karate' is undoubtedly the ‘the perfection of form’. This form is most certainly related to combat, but is primarily a vehicle of ‘self-study’, no different to the study of classical ballet, or even the study of a musical instrument (my wife Mizu is a master pianist, and our approach to training is very similar). In defense of this truth, I can honestly say, that without this artistic core, I would have left karate years ago. No one can deny that the performance of acutely refined kihon, and kata, is undoubtedly what defines a karateka's level. Street fighting ability, and tournament kumite prowess, certainly does not. The ‘perfection' of movement IS "the purpose" of solo kata, and standard kihon training in karate.

Now here is my big question! If the ‘perfection of form’ is the aim of ‘air karate’, then why do people ‘force’ their techniques? Why don’t karateka, when practicing their techniques into thin air, execute them lightly and smoothly, seeking ‘frame by frame’ perfect technique? Because as I have established in this article “What more can hitting the air ideally achieve?” And if wanting to fire techniques out, with full speed and power, do so in a productive manner against a makiwara, bag, foam shield, mitts etc, where they can get immediate feedback, and develop fundamental effectiveness (impact power and good ma’ai). This approach to kata and kihon was what Asai Sensei was advocating, yet very few people ‘physically followed’. Instead they verbally agreed with Sensei, yet continued performing karate in the forced manner he opposed.

Really speaking, can someone achieve more, in the martial sense, when executing techniques into open-space with vigor, as opposed to a hitting something, or someone? Of course they can’t! It is merely what is demanded if one desires to win at competition level, or simply ‘show off their moves’. What’s more, executing ‘air karate’ techniques with forced power interferes with core balance, can detrimentally effect one’s ability to transfer power into a target, can put excessive stress on the main joints of the human body (whilst achieving next to nothing), can ‘shorten’/restrict techniques, and often gives a false 'feeling of power' (and accuracy), which can only be verified by hitting a tangible target. Just visualize a boxer shadow boxing. He does so with lightness, he doesn't punch strongly, he reserves his heavy punch training for the bag, or when seriously sparring/fighting in the ring.

SUMMARY
In my article titled ‘Half-way between the JKA and the Shotokai’ (click here to read: http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2007/09/half-way-between-jka-and-shoto-kai.html) I mentioned that the Shotokai do not utilize conscious ‘muscular power’ in their kata and kihon, nor do they focus heavily on form. Alternatively the JKA greatly emphasize precise form and kime (focus/decisiveness), naturally resulting in a more ‘rigid’ execution of karate. I believe the Shotokai, in regards to not using power when doing ‘air karate’ training, is superior to the JKA approach (based on the points made in this article). Likewise, the precise form of JKA karate, is superior to that of the Shotokai. It is my belief that Asai Sensei’s karate is literally the link, or the happy medium, between these two ‘Shotokan ways’. I hope this article, via some constructive thought by you, the reader, can open your mind to Asai Sensei’s karate.

Next time you make a powerful technique when hitting thin air (kihon or kata), ask yourself these four questions: (1) “What am I achieving?”; (2) “Is this improving my fighting ability?”; (3) “Is this interfering with my ability to execute/enhance my utmost precise technical form?”; and (4) “Is this an optimal, and comparatively safe way, compared to other methods, to build karate specific strength, and fitness?”

**************

© André Bertel, Japan 2007

MORE ARTICLES COMING SOON!

New articles and pictures are on the way. I'm also contemplating a video section for members only. There is no cost to be a member, nor any political concerns. Friends and foes (lol) are all free to join. Nowadays I have no bad feelings towards anyone in the karate world or elsewhere, therefore all are welcome. I have come to a point in my life where I've forgiven everyone in my past, regardless of their feelings, and actions towards me. It goes without saying that "true forgiveness is freedom".

_______________

For those wishing to have membership please email me at andrebertel@hotmail.com Please title the email: "MEMBERSHIP" and put your name, and location (township/city & country).

For those who have already contacted me in this regard, I'm very sorry, but please do so again, if you want to join. I've had trouble keeping up with all the emails! Kindest regards to everyone.

© André Bertel, Japan 2007