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[essence-of-shoto]

Karate Down to a Science?

Reposting this with some edits (13-02-2021)

This was written while I was only studying karate for three years. I received my shodan 5 years ago now. 

      One thing I’ve noticed, and been told incessantly, is that karate is simply just physics. And yes it is. We’re told things like “grip the floor with your feet” “use your toes” “speed is important” and “body connection”. These things all relate to the principles of physics. I won’t make this very long, but I will highlight some important pieces of how karate interacts with physics principles.

Three Principles of Effective Technique

     First, we are told as a first principle to always keep contact with the floor, and at multiple points if possible. This is using the whole foot, and the toes. This is based off the principle that the floor contains a high amount of potential energy, it has the energy to resist and counter any energy thrown at it (basketball, a person jumping, or a foot perhaps). This is the third principle of physics –force in one direction will have an equal and opposite reaction in the opposite direction. So if you grip the floor and push down on it, you have much energy storing from the floor into your foot - potential energy that can either be dispersed or directed if you are proficient and trained enough to do so. This leads into the second principle.

     Body connection is required to take the floor’s potential energy and transfer it into usable energy. The floor’s “stopping force” can be used as a series of energy transfers. The principle that energy can never be created nor destroyed is proof of this principle. The energy is simply transferred. If a good body connection is used, and a direct line from the foot to the block, punch, or kick happens, the energy is almost directly transferred from one form to the other. It is important to have as short of a line as possible in order to minimize the loss of energy at points in the body (cartilage, energy used for elasticity of the muscles, friction, ect..). So if the floor’s energy is transferred from a short straight line to the point of contact, it generates an immovable force. The floor can be used as a stopping force for blocks, as long as contact is kept at all times to a solid flat surface. Incoming energy can be transferred from the user, to a block, down the body into the floor.      

    Notice the surface area under the stance. Wider stances afford more area, and the area is directly proportional to stability.        

     The third principle we are taught is speed. We all know from taking a basics physics course that speed equals distance over time (S = d/t) and power equals the work done over the amount of time (P = w/t). The work equals the force (energy) times displacement (distance) (W = F*d). So basically, creating power with a speedy techniques means a technique with “speed and power”. The force originates from the contact with the floor. The distance is your technique from point A to point B, and minimizing the time between these maximizes the power generated, since time divides the amount of work and force put it. Less time over a distance is more force. Similarly, based on the laws of physics, doing a technique with less of a time interval from point A to point B creates speed of a technique. Speed is minimized time over distance. Rearranging the formulas we can get power = force/time * speed (P = [F/t]*S). This means setting off the technique as quick as possible to generate the most force and wasting less work - making for more efficient use of energy. A technique done with very little stiffness is fast, minimizes energy loss, and, since it is loose, has the ability to be changed or redirected since combat is an ever-changing situation. The power generated is the speed and contraction at the final point - the point of impact. The energy stored in the hand/fist/foot is then immediately released as quickly and powerfully as possible as contact with the target is achieved. This creates your kime or “explosion”. This force should come from the floor, make a quick line through the body and focused upon impact (usually the second knuckle if using a tsuki/Seiken). Your fists can be like boulders or fireballs causing serious damage in quick succession if care is taken to correctly store and manipulate energy. Move like wind, flow like water, be strong like boulders, and burn like fire.

The Hips

       The hips is a much talked about topic in karate. It acts as a fulcrum point. We use our hips as the point of energy generation and deflection. As all points in the body is a crossing point for energy. Incoming and outgoing energy. Think of a big X . The extensions of the X are the arms and legs of a human person. At any point on the extensions of X that are pressed down, the center of the x is stressed. This is the point of the hips. So the stress must be transferred from the point of origin “lets say a blocking technique on top” to the center (hips) and down the legs into the floor (which can hold and resists vast amounts of energy). If we do a sweep, and remove one of the legs of “X”, think of what will happen...

The X??:                    

     Another principle is energy deflection. Our blocks are set up not only to “stop” the technique, but to minimize the amount of energy directly coming towards us. That is why most of our blocks happen in an arc motion. If we intersect a point of energy travelling in a straight line, we increase the distance over which it is travelled, therefore creating less power (remember distance being part of the power formula?). A punch with more distance has less power. And a punch that grazes the target cannot transfer the energy appropriately. Similarly, it could cause the opponent to lose balance. Friction also plays a minor role in energy absorption. Any technique, even minutely touched or changed directions, even if the case we are struck, deflects some of the energy of the blow. We can even “steal” the opponents energy to store for our techniques if care is taken to receive and transmit the energy. Think of a rubber band. Blocks are aimed to throw the opponent off balance, allowing more time for countering as he readjusts his center of balance and reconnects with the floor and recreating body connection. Body connection at all times is essential. The concept of a pulley is also used, where we wind up, and release, winding up in the other direction.

     All these things were known by masters of karate, even before physics reached a modern age. (before 1900’s) Masters such as Azato and Itosu. They knew these things through common sense, and many hours of repeated training to define which form of techniques were correct and powerful. So basically karate does base it’s principles off of physics and kinetics. It’s all interrelated. If one were to study the physics behind the martial arts, they would find out why some masters can be trained to break boards, and even the monks that can bend iron bars. They seem to defy the laws of physics, but they are simply working with them and around them. In modern times, we are still refining and changing karate techniques as more research is put into it. Karate is all about spontaneously generating and relaxing energy in order to be flexible for incoming attacks and openings on the opponent. More time spent flexed = more time needed to generate a technique. The main and single goal of the greatest technique is one that reaches point A to point B in the speediest manner possible with little down time in between. The ability to contract and relax is essential. It also minimizes energy expenditure.

Photo Credits: 1. http://www.renbukaibc.ca/images/content/karate-practice-gyaku-tsuki.gif

2. Masatoshi, Nakayama. Dynamic Karate. Kodansha international limited, 1986 p. 41-42.

*written by student of Maritime IKD 1st Dan. do not remove this text*

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Why focus and decisiveness surpasses technique in an encounter with an assailant

My philosophy in karate is to “overpower your opponent without hurting him”. While this is the ultimate goal, it’s not always successful. It requires a focused and decisive nature to pull off overpowering without brute attack. Ultimately, it doesn’t require superb technique to overpower an assailant, but efficient reflexes and planning. One must be alert, focused and decisive when it comes to dealing with an opponent, for one may know flawless technique, but if they can’t apply it effectively, then all is lost.

It only takes, at best, mediocre technique, and moderate understanding of a technique to make it effective. The rest comes form its application, and in using the correct technique for the proper situation. In summation, the formula variables for effective defense are Focus + Effective Application + Speed + Timing + Technique and the result may be perhaps best formulated in the following formula:

  Defensive Result = [(Focus * Effective Application) * (Speed * Timing)]Technique

  Although this is a tentative formula and should not be taken seriously, or taken as the whole truth of a defensive result, it was meditated on and may perhaps may give some truth to a defensive result in an encounter. It is mainly an abstract representation of a possible result from defending in a concrete encounter, or perhaps a concrete representation of an abstract art of an encounter. Take it is a guide only and meditate on the truth or falsity of my claim. It may need revision. I will go through these variables one by one and explain why they are important in the formula for defense.

I will first go through speed and timing. For speed, it is important that you are quick so that you may “beat your opponent to the punch”.  That’s to say that you can block or dodge quickly when an opponent makes a move. If you are too slow, your move will fail to connect before the right time, or at the right time for effective application. Karate techniques, in my view, is best performed with precise timing so that you can connect your block with the attack, and at the precise points, and deflect it properly. By “precise points” I mean that, in my opinion, a block which connects, as an example, just above the elbow of your assailant, can overpower him with less force and acts as a pivot point which may make the opponent more overpowered with less effort as you are using the body’s pivot points. You will get what I mean if you have ever blocked or been blocked with such efficacy that it made you spin around with loss of control. It takes speed and timing as the most powerful assets to pull this off. One may also dodge quickly timing it so that an opponent’s follow through or counterattack is not possible. One may also block the opponents attack before he even produces it, as an example, as soon as the opponent flaxes his knee for a kick, you are there with your hand/foot on his knee so that he cannot raise his leg for a kick. This speed and timing can overpower an opponent.

But even speed and timing is moot without focus and application. Before even speed and timing, focus is required so that you are aware of what is going on in the encounter. As the say: Zanshin or “empty mind” which should be one of the mental techniques you learn as a karateka. You must empty your mind and be aware of the encounter. This is analogous with letting go of or “empty mind” which should be one of the mental techniques you learn as a karateka. You must empty your mind and be aware of the encounter. This is analogous with letting go of your emotions as emotions are salient (hard to ignore) and throw of your concentration. But one should never quell their spirit. With focus, then comes effective application, as one must be focused so that one can decide the correct course of action. A focused person can use reflex or be aware of the opponent in subtle ways, such as his body weight shifting, “tells” for upcoming attacks, changes in muscle tensions, etc.… Then when focused on these things, on can plan/execute a correct plan of action. One must always execute effective application by using the correct/most efficient block or movement for the situation. As an exaggerated example, an opponent kicking to the groin would not be well done with age uke “rising block”, nor shuto uke “knife hand block”, nor even soto uke “middle level block” may not be effective in this situation. It is important to be decisive because an attack is not always to the face, stomach, or groin exactly, and it may be in between two areas. Each attack is different, and not perfectly executed like in a dojo, where karateka perfect their aiming to three levels (jodan, chudan, gedan). Untrained opponents may also not throw karate-like techniques. In this manner, I am stating that one needs to be focused on what the opponent is doing, the environment around them (terrain, obstacles, etc…), and efficiently decide on a correct action. Perhaps a block is best, perhaps dodging or shifting out of the way. Maybe a persistent assailant requires some pain as an aversive stimulus by using a counterattack, or a hard “jamming” block to inflict pain by using the bony points on wrist/ankle to hit pressure points, and deter the assailant.

We can’t ignore technique as well, but it does matter least (in my opinion) in an encounter. A correctly chosen technique best suited for the situation is between than one performed perfectly, but not suited to the situation. Technique is important though, as one must correctly turn the hips, forearm, have the correct range and motion. But as I’ve said, focus, deciding on best technique for situation, then speed and timing of a mediocre block can surpass a great untimed or incorrectly suited block. Technique here includes application of power, rotations (including hip), movement, etc…Effective technique, though, can exponentially increase your effective action, but does not give a large result if there is nothing to increase (i.e. no, or little focus, no speed).

Imagine an opponent decides to kick do you i) wait for kick and use gedan berai with correct timing? ii) beat him to the punch by blocking his knee so that he cannot perform the kick? iii) dodge? iv) dodge and counterattack? v) block strongly to the inside of his leg at a pressure point to inflict pain? or vi) dodge and run? These decisions are situational and must be suited to the opponent. Some opponents may just become enraged by pain and attack stronger and faster, while others may be deterred by it. Some may become discouraged if you constantly dodge them and may walk away, while others become enraged and may pull out a weapon to make their point. A focused and decisive person while note these things and know how to manipulate their approach to the encounter. Your approach may also need to be changed if one is not working, such as dodging constantly may yield to submission from the opponent, and one strong block to a pressure point may be all that is required to cause the opponent to think twice about assailing you.

The formula for defensive result shows that if you lack focus and don’t effectively plan, there is no result in your defense. If you lack speed and timing, your defense is moot. The result of your focus, planning, speed and timing is further increase exponentially with technique. As technique rises, so does your defense, but alas, without any of the other variables there is nothing to increase even with flawless technique.

To conclude, focus is most important in a fight, an unaware person does not fight well at all. With focus can come decisiveness, as awareness of the opponent and situation allows to effectively choose a correct action. Then the action must be performed speedily with good timing, and technique serves to increase the effectiveness, but must be given last. A person who can read encounters and effectively choose effective actions can overpower assailants more than brute technique or with raw power.

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Transcending speed of technique

        I was always impressed with the movie kuro obi (black belt) in one scene where the antagonist is teaching his students and he shows a student the power of karate. He executes a shuto to the student’s neck, executing with such precision, speed, and power, and stopping just as he touches the neck. (https://youtu.be/v6Xjcs6_vVk?t=30m50s) The technique was instantaneous and with a noticeable snapping sound. This made an impression on me to the power of karate. I’ve thought about this much over the years of karate training and I believe I have an answer to executing such a technique.

        Many people try to increase the speed of their technique by applying more force and power into the technique. Tensing their body more. This will only increase the tension in your muscles and make it more difficult to execute. It takes much more force to move a stiff tree than a soft twig. The trick is to have your body like a soft twig. A twig snaps quickly. I will explain this further ahead.

        When you get to a point where you are comfortable in your technique in its execution, the movement, and it starts to become second nature, you have a solid understanding of body connection and flow of energy (energy from floor transfer through body and into your technique), and techniques become fluid and easy (I would say this is probably at brown belt level or higher), then you are ready to add your ultimate speed. Speed which transcends your body’s boundaries. This can only come from practicing hundreds of techniques so that your body is used to the movement, and it must be natural.

        I don’t purport to say that there is some kind of magic or special power involved in making lightning fast techniques, but there is a proper method to its execution. It’s always said in karate that tension and relaxation of the body is important, and this principle is important in executing fast techniques. The simple idea is that the body must remain completely soft (or as soft as possible) before and during the technique, with maximal tension and power upon contact or at the complete finish of the move. While this seems like a simple principle, it is counterintuitive to remain completely limp while executing a fast and powerful technique, but it is possible with focus and training. Imagine the difference between swinging a log and a twig. A log comes with much force, but is very slow and requires vast amounts of energy. A twig is fast, and snaps, and is almost effortless. Now imagine the twig become like a log at the instant of contact. It has all the benefits: speed, effortlessness, snap, and power.

        For execution of technique, I think of this as using your foot’s contact with the floor as your “on switch”. Once you use your contact to the floor (which contains almost unlimited amounts of potential energy) to “steal” the energy and transfer it into motion, the energy must find its most efficient path through your body to the point of contact (knuckle at opponents jodan, inside of hand haito neck, etc.…). This takes practice of learning this technique and must be practiced first slowly so that you can feel the energy transfer from floor to point of contact in technique. The minimizing of all this energy into one small point increases the power multiple fold. The energy must find the shortest path to the target because: the longer the energy is in your body, the more energy is lost to friction (muscles, joints, etc.…), and using the principle of physics work = force X distance (W = Fd) the more distance from floor to technique requires more work, and we want to conserve energy in karate. Also, work/distance = force (W/d = F), so the lower the distance, the more force per work is created. Once you learn the more efficient path and feeling of the energy transfer, you can start adding speed of technique, and with this keeping a limp body. Imagine yourself completely like jello, that your body is so soft that you’re barely adding enough muscle stiffness to stand, and then muscle tension 0 --> 100% upon contact.

        While the trick of a completely limp body with efficient energy transfer will give you fast techniques. Very fast techniques. Yet, even further this can be transcended. The above principle(s) rely on the body and physical nature (laws of physics). The technique can be limited by your attention to the execution of the technique. Here the trick is to work on the mind. The mind can be a limiting reagent in the reaction of bodily kinetics. What this means is that once you have learned your maximal bodily capacity, you can further increase your karate technique by focusing or freeing your mind. Just like keeping your body limp, you must keep your mind limp. I will explain this in the next passage.

         How does one keep their mind limp? Easy – don’t think about the technique, “Just do it”. Once you’ve reached the point where you must work on your mind, your body has already mastered, or very well adapted the physical principles I mentioned are important in execution of technique (efficient transfer of energy, limp body, etc…). So you should be able to execute a technique without even thinking, and that’s the trick. Don’t think about your technique. Don’t think about adding speed. Don’t think about moving faster. The only thing you should focus on is hitting the “on switch” of your technique (stealing floor’s potential energy) and finishing the technique on your target. Anything in between is unimportant and will slow down your mind. A quick mind can execute quick technique. Here’s what must be done: you must think of two things only: hitting your “on switch” and your hand being at the target. Don’t think of moving your hand to the target, put your hand at the target. Imagine the technique has already landed before you even know it has landed. Imagine your body has just “appeared” where it was supposed to go. Your prior experience should be a sufficient prerequisite to the success of the technique. This is a bit difficult to explain but what it results in is that you have no knowledge of how you executed your technique you just know you’ve acquired some of the floor’s energy and that your technique is now on the target. All you really simply do is imagine your hand at your target, and its there! The only two things in your mind for an instant is grabbing the floor’s energy (switching “on”), and 100% tension when you feel the technique land/execute correctly. It should feel like a lightning bolt.

         While I said that this is not magic, it isn’t. But when executed correctly it does feel like magic because your mind cannot process information as fast as your technique is able to move. It’s almost as if your technique teleported to where you willed it. You only really know that your technique landed where it was supposed to. By doing this, every other intervening thought which can slow your mind is cut out. You don’t imagine the energy transfer through your body, you simply will this energy at your target. It’s a mind-over-matter principle: the matter doesn’t mind, only the mind matters. The mind transcends the body’s limiting laws. The body is limited by speed of neural transmissions, but thought doesn’t necessarily. In the instance when I throw the techniques I don’t think about the move, I only know that the move has landed where it was supposed to. This practice also allows you to focus less on body dynamics, and allows you to focus more precisely where your technique is going to land. It frees up the mind’s resources so that you can focus on where your technique is going, and increase your awareness. I amaze myself every time I throw these techniques because they just seem to “appear” where I willed them to go. It’s almost feels like I’ve cultivated some kind of mystical power. But, this is just the power of karate.

Osu

          “Keep your body limp, and your mind limper”.

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The only 100% effective way to not be harmed or lose a fight is to avoid the fight altogether. Avoid situations where a fight could ensue.

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First the Karateka is to train his body to be hard like rock. Then, when the body is solid and strong like a boulder, the body is to be trained to respond soft and fluid, like water. Finally, the body is to be trained to be both hard and soft at the same time, like a substance which can move like water, and hit like rock. This combination can't be beaten as it extinguishes fire and displaces air. The modern Karateka is fluid like water and hard like rock.

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It takes many years to perform well and deliberate karate. It takes many more years and dedication to move deliberately without deliberation - to move like water with senshin or mushin.

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People work hard in their own way

Some people work hard by taking time out of their busy and stressful, and hectic schedules to train - just showing up is a feat for them. This is how they work hard.

Some people push their bodies to the limit, they constantly try to execute a technique faster, more precise, more fluent; they push the warm-up and class fitness/agility training  -taxing their body is how they work hard.

Some people are interested in the history and philosophy of karate, they ask questions, read, do research, and fills their heads with karate - this is how they work hard.

Some people are persistent in learning all the Japanese terms, the katas, the moves, the stances - learning and paying attention is how they work hard.

Some people improve their character constantly, they strive to be more sociable, agreeable, following practice and tradition. Bows, respect, humility - perfection of character is how they work hard.

Some people never give up - they face constant hardship even just by coming to class. Perhaps low confidence and/or social anxiety. They strive to persist; in their Kata, their presence; performing might be a feat for them - this is how they work hard. Many people have different ways in which they apply themselves and work hard. It is not always evident, but with a bit of awareness one can see the work they put into karate. Each person works hard in their own way.

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It is important to supplement your karate training with running

       Training in a dojo is not the only way to become a strong karateka. Training outside the dojo is also important to increase your karate performance, such as supplementing your karate training with other physical activities. Such activities may include strength, agility, or speed exercises. Running and cardio is very important part of a karate regime, and can boost your performance in the dojo.

        Cardio can increase your endurance and stamina. Endurance and stamina is important for a karateka, as the one that lasts the longest may well be the winner in a match or real life self- defense situation. If you can’t keep up with and outlast your opponent, you will be at a significant disadvantage. Running increases your total blood content, thus increasing the amount of oxygen that can be delivered to your muscles and brain. Oxygen is a driving factor in fatigue – a lack of oxygen can create a deficit in your energy production. Your body is also very plastic (changeable) and compensates by increasing the total amount of mitochondria in your cells, which will increase energy production. Your body adapts to become more efficient energy-wise. A third factor is your mind – running increases your awareness of your abilities and your confidence. Your awareness and confidence can help you inside and outside the dojo by increasing your performance.

        Running increases power and agility and speed and uses movements important in karate. In karate, one moves by thrusting with the back leg. Running is similar in this nature as you use the same muscles (the hamstrings and calves) to do this movement. By using these muscles repeatedly, your body optimizes them to perform better, and in turn they become quicker. Running can increase the mass of type I and II muscle fibers, therefore allowing to access more muscle towards driving forward. More muscles mean more power. The footwork involved in running, also increases your agility by creating a muscle memory of avoiding obstacles such as large rocks and holes in the ground. By teaching your body to move around such obstacles, you can perform better and more accurate footwork in the dojo. Your legs become quick at moving in different directions at will, and eventually without much thought. Your muscles also become more elastic from being stretched over and over through running, and most runners also stretch. This increases flexibility, which can increase your agility as well. The ability to flex your muscles quickly also can generate speed as speed = distance/ time, and more speed equals more power.

        The effect of more discipline through a training regime also increases a person’s well-being and character. Discipline is a cornerstone of karate. The undisciplined white belt usually progresses into a fully disciplined black belt after many years of training. This is an indirect, yet important part of karate. Discipline I also influences character. [Perfection of] Character is the most important aim of karate, and instructors as well as examiners look for this as you progress through the ranks. Running also increases your health and well-being, which can increase your mood and [good] character. Moving loosens knots in your muscles, keeps the blood system and lymph fluid moving along, which can increase immune function. Exercise (running) also increases endorphins, as well as other feel-good molecules. Running has been shown to increase cognitive abilities, focus, memory, and energy (Gomez-Pinilla & Hillman, 2013). Cognitive abilities is very important in karate training, an memory is used to remember your kata and instruction.

        Karate is benefited very much by other physical training regimens such as cardio and running. Running can increase endurance and stamina by forcing the body to increase its oxygen efficiency. Running also increases your power and agility by forming more muscle mass, and more efficient muscles. Health and well-being is also increased, which directly feeds into your character, an important aspect of karate. Running is an important addition to a karateka’s training in karate.

                References

Gomez-Pinilla, Fernando, and Charles Hillman. “The Influence of Exercise on   Cognitive Abilities.” Comprehensive Physiology 3, no. 1 (January 2013):      403–28. doi:10.1002/cphy.c110063.

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To become a skilled karateka, one must train to perform technique as fluently as one walks and breathes -simply, automatically, and without effort. To integrate karate into natural movements.

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It takes many years to chisel away to the perfection of your karate. Each repetition is like a chisel hammering one strike in the large, ugly, pointless mass of stone in an attempt to create the perfect sculpture.

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What it means to have a black belt

A black belt is usually regarded as a symbol of strength and supernatural feats by the wearer of the black belt. This can be further from the truth. I do admit, though, that most of those that wear a black belt are physically capable of performing some pretty interesting physical feats, but they are in no way "super". They are most likely stronger, quicker, more agile, and flexible, than the mean of the population, but definitely not superhuman. The problem with this is that the wearer does not strive directly to become all of these things, they are a by-product of training towards a black belt. The aim of karate lies in these five main principles: 1. Seek perfection of character 2. Be faithful 3. Endeavor 4. Respect others 5. Refrain from violent behavior Notice here that the fifth one is "refrain from violent behavior". Why would one strive to become a powerful weapon, when they choose not to use it? Well, this stems from the first rule on the list: "Seek perfection of character". This is the main aim of karate. The other rules are followed as well, but everything leads to sharpening your character. All else is a by-product of attaining a good character. A karateka, especially a black belt, should have gained a general good sense of character. Through training, colored belts perform a lot of physically challenging acts. This is to drill the basics into the student. The student, over the kyu ranks, learns the basics of the discipline. The student learns to move, strike, defend, spar, and begin to apply these techniques in proper situations. As the student moves from 1st kyu to 1st dan (brown belt to black belt) the student has shown mastery of the basics of the discipline.  To gain indoctrination into the black belt club, one must show improvement of physical techniques. This is straightforward. The karateka must also show improved focus, heart, spirit, respect, humbleness, discipline, and faithfulness - the karateka must show improved character. A student with a bad attitude will most likely not become a black belt. As a karateka strives to improve these traits, their physical traits improve. It also works the other way around, through physical training, character improves. It is similar to the yin and yang phenomenon. in karate, one cannot exist without the other. I have seen people go through the ranks from having good character, even thought their technique was not the strongest or fastest. It's the spirit of karate that is most important. Gichin funakoshi, the father of modern karate, created the art of shotokan for those who were educated and disciplined. It was an art for those who had more class and prestige. If a student came in wanting to fight and show off, he refused the student. In this tradition, most modern shotokan clubs will teach 2-3 classes of just throwing basic punches over and over in order to weed out those that lack perseverance and drive. Karate was meant to be a serious endeavor for those with spirit, character, and intelligence.  I have not yet given a direct description of what it means to be a black belt. Intelligent people may be able to infer meaning from the previous paragraphs. Karate is for those with spirit, dedication, and drive. A black belt is a white belt that never gave up. An old prophecy goes something like this: The white belt strove hard to become a black belt. Upon receiving a black belt, and training many more years, the karateka looked down at the belt, now white from being frayed and worn over the years. The karateka realized that they were a white belt all along. The only thing that changed was the color of the belt.  The color of the belt is essentially milestones, or mini goals to work towards to give a sense of progress, and to motivate those training in the art. It is said that there used to be only one belt color, and over training, the belt changed color from dirt, blood, and sweat, to eventually become a black belt, but this is probably untrue. The idea, though, is correct.  So what does it mean to have a black belt? A black belt is a symbol of dedication, hard work, perseverance, focus, and discipline. It shows that the wearer has dedication (it takes from 4-6 years on average, training minimum twice a week, to get a black belt. Even as long as 10 years), and has good character. They do possess some form of self-defense, most likely greater than the average Joe, but don't actively use it.  So here is my definition: a black belt is a persister. A saying goes: For each 100 white belts, there are 10 brown belts, and for each 10 brown belts there is 1 black belt. The rest have given up - the black belt persisted. OSU!

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The next step

        Over the weekend I tested for shodan at the maritime IKD spring clinic under Josef Woon-A-Tai, 7th Dan. I was informed today by my sensei that I am no longer a brown belt - speculating that I have passed. The official belt ceremony is tomorrow, but I have been told the news early. It has been five years since the beginning of my training, and it definitely wasn’t without its trials and moments of difficulty. 

        I have been thinking about what it means to have a black belt, and will write a post in the future on what it entails and means to acquire a black belt. A black belt is just a darkly colored belt - but also a symbol, and definitely isn’t something you can just “get”.

An end to one journey, and a beginning of another journey.

[essence-of-shoto]

The color of your belt doesn't matter when facing a group of armed aggressors, but the temperament of your spirit and will to live does.

Essence-of-shoto

[essence-of-shoto]

A black belt is white belt that never gave up.

[essence-of-shoto]

Why strength in karate is no good

          The following blog post is completely based on my personal opinion, and personal experience with strength training and karate, and is based on a little scientific evidence.

         Some people’s motivations for entering karate could fall under the category of “becoming strong” or “performing amazing techniques” along with “defending oneself”. Some train in karate in order to gain physical strength and power. The aim of gaining strength is multiply motivated – our current culture values (especially males) to be strong. Being strong allows yourself to stand up to someone and defend yourself. It is the small and weak that are preyed on.

         Yet this needn’t be so. Most of karate Is based on speed and agility, as there are seventeen “speed” katas, and only nine “power” katas. The techniques are based on speed and correct body dynamics, and based on using the physics laws of the universe to generate power.

As an example

Speed = distance/time

and

power = (force x distance)/time

Or

Power = force x velocity

So power can be generated through speed, by minimizing the time it takes for a technique to reach the target.

Force = (mass x velocity)/time

So if we have more velocity (speed) and less time taken to reach point A (your fist position) to point B (your opponents face), force of the attack is increased.

And

Power = (mass x velocity^2)/time^2

Mass helps to develop power but also slows the karateka down, so it essentially cancels out the effect.

Here are my reasons how being strong in karate proves a disadvantage:

1.       Karate values speed, agility, accuracy, and timing above all else.

2.       Bulk and strength slows you down.

3.       A strong person is more tense, thus requires more time for techniques, and reduces your fluidity of movement (and agility).

4.       More power means more stress on your joints (trust me as a person with strength, I know this).

5.       Karate training builds all the power you require.

6.       Karate is governed by the laws of physics, and if your technique is correct, you shouldn’t need loads of strength for your attacks and defenses.

7.       Correct technique is to stay relaxed, but only use power at the point of impact, so power is only shown during a small portion of the technique.

8.       A strong person might have more testosterone and more hormones which interfere with focus of technique.

         Now I’m not saying that you needn’t work on strength whatsoever. There needs to be a certain amount of strength to perform some movements. Yet, through training, a karateka should build all the strength they require. Karate is more prominent when you use speed and correct technique than power. Power is generated through the laws of physics. I have given examples through physics as to why speed is important in generating power. I would suggest that a karateka have a once a week (or several sessions of) strength routine using bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, squats, and crunches as a basic routine. A strong core is more essential than powerful arms. Focus on speed and agility training over power training, as a fast karateka that can get in before the opponent lands a blow, and a perform the correct technique at the correct time is a deadly weapon.

[60�W�L

[essence-of-shoto]

Karate is more than physical perfection; preparing for shodan

As I now prepare to test for my shodan test, I look back on the beginnings of my karate. I had good intentions for karate, I did not want to learn to fight to hurt people, but even with that in mind, I was still very far from developing my character with karate. 

Karate has the ability to change a person from who they were into a new person through the venture of karate. It can make a timid person more bold. A shy person more outgoing. An unfocused person learn to focus better. While some of these changes can come from the physical aspect of karate and that it does change the wiring of the brain to improve cognitive function, there is a also a deeper cause. 

Karate challenges a persons morals and creates a more conservative, yet robust character. If the guiding principles of karate are followed, meditated on, and a real effort is made to incorporate them into your life, as every one that reaches black belt should at least mildly be doing, the character is changed from the debutante to the advanced practitioner.

When I first entered karate I was a power lifter and a strength buff. I did a lot of strength training. I was also moderately vain, self-centered, and my ego was as big as the room. I focused on strength and perfection of technique. My largest ideal was to learn to control the power in my muscles. I had the “power” now I wanted to learn to control it. My character was also to be desired.Taking criticism always aroused a strong urge to label the person as an idiot. I knew best.. I had read a karate book, and I was super fit and strong. 

Now, I welcome criticism, focus not only on myself, but those around me as well, I am more open, outgoing, sociable, and respectful. I believe karate was the largest factor in me learning these good character traits. While I am far from the ‘perfect’ character, and still contain many flaws, the old me is a ghost of who I am now. Not only has my character improved in the dojo, but every aspect of my life has benefited from really trying to improve and follow the ways of karate.

One of the hardest obstacles which I believe forced me to change my outlook is when I tested for 2nd kyu. Moving through the colored belts was a breeze, and in my association you can skip belts, which I did. When I tested for my 2nd kyu, we had a guest instructor. Now, I did not fail my test but I had the closest thing to it. Unfortunately, it is very hard to fail a grading in our association, (which I disagree upon, but that’s not my decision to make). I had graduated from 3rd kyu to 2b kyu. A “b” on your rank is like a conditional pass. To me it was a fail. If fails would have been a thing in my association I would have surely failed. At this point my ego burst, I no longer thought I was the best karateka on the planet. I would have rather failed at this point than be promoted “just because”. I hadthoughts to give up at this point, a hurdle that seemed so large for me to conquer. “Was I that bad a karateka?” “Maybe I’m completely wrong about my abilities!?” were going through my mind that summer... “I don’t need more karate, I can already defend myself, I’m fast, strong, and fit”, ��they don’t know skill when they see it”. Fortunately, this just caused me to focus and train harder. I had “leveled up” in a manner of speaking by overcoming that hurdle. Brown belt was the most rewarding stage in my training. I did grow physically, in that techniques became more fluent and the body learned better how to move. That seemed not to matter any more. I didn’t care about that much at this point, the most growth was in my resolve and karate character. I felt it grow, I knew I was just about ready for that shodan test -to be indoctrinated into the black belt ranks. I had hit a brick wall and broke through it. That surely must be the switch from colored to black belt. 

At this point, I feel ready physically, mentally, philosophically. I had traveled a long bushy and wooded path, and now see a long open road ahead of me. The only fears I have now are the ego and the physiological process we call “nerves”. Overcoming my nerves is the largest challenge I think for myself at this moment, and the ability to clearly show I am ready at my shodan test. While this might seem like an egotistical thing to “know” I am at a black belt level, I think that even failing this test will probably make me happier than passing it. The color of your belt doesn’t matter. What matters is your self esteem in what you are doing, and performing. Your resolve and your ideals. When you can happily give something up without losing anything you know you are ready for it. All I can do is give the best I can give from my training for this next stage in my karate; the black belt - to be or not to be, that is the question, yet the question doesn’t matter.