Body balance is an area that is particularly challenging for me. Not keeping my balance but, rather, vertical and horizontal equilibrium—in relation to techniques. My problem is not my technique; rather, it is my body. In particular, from the accumulation of injuries (from karate and real altercations in the security industry) over the years and, of course, imbalances between strength and flexibility: between the left and right `hemispheres’ of the body. As many of you know, when I was very young, I suffered a very serious spinal injury, which I’ve had to work around for over 25 years.
THE PROBLEM OF BODILY
IMBALANCES: The
problem with such imbalances is that often `we don’t want to recognise them’ in
favour of our `better sides’. For example, “more flexibility with one leg that
allows for `superiority with particular techniques’ with that leg”; likewise, “…significantly more power on one side
that leads to an internalised bias”.
In this regard, I primarily recommend utilising the five
Heian kata for study. Then Tekki Shodan. There is so much to be gained from the
shitei-gata, actually too much. Worldwide I believe that if everyone properly
understood (performed) the Heian kata—on a truly deep level—very few would
perform kata beyond the sentei-gata (Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi and Jion). If
we are honest, the advanced nature of the `big four’ “…are well beyond most
people in the world who are doing the more advanced kata”. You may now be
thinking “How can a guy who does so many `additional kata’ say this?” Well,
additional kata are simply for specialisation, i.e. – more options in a martial
arts/applicative context… For instructors, this is an advantage to best assist
students (as one can coach people in accordance to their specific needs).
Secondarily, I recommend kihon ippon kumite for
balance. Not just for techniques but the internalisation of movements and
principles. This is deep stuff if fully understood…
Conclusion: Returning
to the foundation of karate-do—KIHON—we have a complete system, which perfectly
connects kata, kumite and real world self-defence. Nonetheless, body balance
must be consciously addressed and this requires a significant level of physical
(and mental) discipline. I’d like to wrap up by saying that this is extremely worth
pondering and testing in one’s training. Besides being good for every karate
practitioners techniques (to optimise effectiveness), it is also essential to
heighten one’s musculoskeletal health and physical longevity.
Osu, André Bertel.
© André Bertel. Aso-shi, Kumamoto, Japan (2014).
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