空手における自然な動き
KARATE NI OKERU SHIZEN NA UGOKI
Based on a question I received I’d
like to address what is ‘Natural Movement’ in karate; in particular, the
positioning it requires and most importantly “how these ‘positioning's’ dictate
whether or not one can move naturally”.
This
aspect is why the top Japanese karateka ‘look different’ when they move: irrespective
of their varying physique’s; furthermore, why such slightly built young Japanese
girls and women produce so much explosiveness and precision in their kata and
kumite.
Irrespective
of internalized views, it is not because these karateka are Japanese. And it is
not because of their respective physiques. It is because they move naturally in
accordance with their own uniqueness.
This
sounds contrary to Japanese ‘dantai’ culture; however, when one considers the unparalleled
number of top-class instructors here in Japan, it is obvious that this is reflected
in the coaching—even though it is ‘banking model of education’.
My top
priority as an instructor is to ensure trainees reach their pinnacle skill
levels. If they don’t, I lose them. Actually, I really like this pressure as it
pushes me forward.
Natural
karate is actually VERY EASY. Ironically though, it is not easy as people tend
to complicate things for themselves: in their minds and, indeed resultingly, in
their movement. Actually, outside Japan, I think many instructors simply want
to have control over their respective students because they are fearful.
Accordingly, they want to give their students fish as opposed to teach them how
to fish. This has been a major issue greatly restricting karate growth around the
world since its initial global spread. It literally illustrates the saying: ‘Big
fish in a small pond’.
That aside and to wrap up, I will present
some points why natural karate is best (FOR EVERYONE):
Firstly,
and most obviously one does not have to fight against themselves; that is, fight
against their own physiques to reach optimal skill levels. Secondly, effective
application is readily achieved as the body is not contorted—many karateka are
what I can only describe as being ‘caught in technique’. Thirdly, karate
training ‘in this way’ reduces causing damage to the body (and those injured or
with poor health can continue training if they follow this methodology). Fourthly,
technique is balanced and alignment correct; therefore, inherently beautiful in
the budo/bujutsu sense (note: not necessarily in the empty sports ‘plastic’
sense). Fifthly, more explosiveness is achieved as the whole body can be utilized
via the proper and harmonious use of kinetic chains. Sixthly, the mind is freed
as “…the natural state of the body inherently allows one ‘to be psychologically
in the moment’ and optimally reflexive”.
Greetings from Oita City, Japan.
André Bertel
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2021).
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