I
am now reviewing the five Heian kata with special focus on fine points of
fundamental technique (kihonwaza) and, in particular, the removal of
superfluous actions. For example, wind ups for ukewaza such as morote-uke,
seiken juji-uke etcetera; and completion of techniques within the correct range
of action, such as kihon tsukiwaza (namely, jun-zuki and gyaku-zuki). This
approach is also being taken in my kihon training and includes a tighter
control over nukite and gyaku-zuki following keriwaza (i.e. – shuto-uke kara
kizami mae-geri soshite nukite, mae-geri kara yoko-kekomi, mawashi-geri soshite
gyaku-zuki and so forth).
Yet again, repeating the maxim I constantly stress
on this site, “kihon is everything”. Accordingly, this is because it offers the
ultimate challenge, as via its complete and utter `rawness’. Kihon, the
fundamental kata, and yaksuoku-kumite show us how little we “really know”: and
“know” in karate (and all other physical disciplines for that matter) is
determined by what we have “programmed into our bodies”. Where do YOU come
unstuck in this regard…? There are
certainly plenty of places in my case: especially when I am fatigued during
a taxing class. Needless to say, this is the ultimate challenge of karate—it
gives us the necessary taste of `humble flavoured pie’; moreover, it elucidates
how physical training can benefit us mentally and spiritually.
My understanding is that many people eventually quit
training because of this point—the feeling of never getting the fundamental
techniques to the level that they have in their minds/aspirations. This is
definitely the wrong reason to quit and it misses what karate-do is… Karate-do
is not a destination of perfection; rather, it is a road towards it—a road
towards an `unattainable yet motivational goal’. Striving to get the most basic
techniques right is a lesson that never ends, and I am very thankful for this
point.
Pushing
through this challenge is a POWERFUL MECHANISM FOR DEVELOPING RESIILIENCE: that
is, the ability to bounce back in life. Resilience is a quality that everyone
should have and need to maximise
their lives. We shouldn’t be vain and think that we want to be the best—this is
a dangerous trap, which leads to self-defeat… Instead, just think that we want
to better ourselves and humbly strive towards this goal. By following this
`way’ one will become the best they can be.
All
the best from Nippon, André.
©
André Bertel. Aso-shi, Kumamoto. Japan (2013).
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