Black Tiger Shotokan
Kumite:
I often get questions from prospective students regarding the level of
fighting (kumite) we do at the Dojo. All sparring in the Dojo is controlled
and supervised. That said, Karate is a contact sport and on occasion there is
bound to be some light contact. Recently one of my good friends and
instructor in a local Dojo shared the following that I think best explains why
we train so hard in fighting: 'The more you sweat in peace, the less you will
bleed in war'. Meaning that the more you practice the better you will be in a
conflict situation and the more likely you will be to come out of such a
situation with few or any injuries.
Kumite does not have to be brutal, but it has to be realistic. Outside of the
Dojo, we will not have the luxury of negotiating 'rules of engagement'. When
we train in the Dojo we condition our minds and bodies to react in certain
ways under certain circumstances. Since Kumite is one of the disciplines we
train in, then it stands to reason that we must train our bodies to become
accustomed to being attacked and on occasion having to experience contact,
and then reacting by counter attacking. Soon, contact is welcomed as well as
inevitable. Just as it is reasonable and probably inevitable to expect that at
some point in our life we will have to defend or protect ourselves from harm
or attack.
Sensei
I often get questions from prospective students regarding the level of
fighting (kumite) we do at the Dojo. All sparring in the Dojo is controlled
and supervised. That said, Karate is a contact sport and on occasion there is
bound to be some light contact. Recently one of my good friends and
instructor in a local Dojo shared the following that I think best explains why
we train so hard in fighting: 'The more you sweat in peace, the less you will
bleed in war'. Meaning that the more you practice the better you will be in a
conflict situation and the more likely you will be to come out of such a
situation with few or any injuries.
Kumite does not have to be brutal, but it has to be realistic. Outside of the
Dojo, we will not have the luxury of negotiating 'rules of engagement'. When
we train in the Dojo we condition our minds and bodies to react in certain
ways under certain circumstances. Since Kumite is one of the disciplines we
train in, then it stands to reason that we must train our bodies to become
accustomed to being attacked and on occasion having to experience contact,
and then reacting by counter attacking. Soon, contact is welcomed as well as
inevitable. Just as it is reasonable and probably inevitable to expect that at
some point in our life we will have to defend or protect ourselves from harm
or attack.
Sensei
Random Things to Ponder
Kata vs Kumite - is one more important than the other?
Recently I’ve taken part in discussions relating to Kumite and Kata. Some have
asked which is better? I think we first need to understand what each
represents. There are many instructors who say that Kata is unimportant in
training or developing a competent Martial Artist and many don't even teach
Kata at all in their Dojo. Their argument is that most techniques demonstrated
in a Kata are seldom used in 'real' circumstances and that the carefully
choreographed movements in Kata are inconsistent with real application.
Of course I totally disagree with that premise. Kata, in my opinion, is essential
to training because it consists of blocks, kicks and counter attacks that are first
taught in basics (Kihon). Kata is designed to ward off an imaginary opponent
(s), using those basic techniques. But it takes the concentration and
imagination of a well trained student to bring reality to the Kata movements.
In Kumite (sparring) those same blocks, kicks and counter attacks learned in
Kihon and Kata are used in a sparring situation. The countless hours of
training, both in Kihon and Kata, result in the effective use of those techniques
when sparring. At our Dojo, hard contact in not allowed. Face contact is also
never allowed. It’s always been my position that if a student needs this type of
contact and training then he/she would be better off in a full contact school
situation.
Traditional Karate is an Art Form. In order to be fully proficient at it, both Kata
and Kumite are essential parts of training. Neither is better than the other
because both are essential for proficiency in Karate.
Sensei
Recently I’ve taken part in discussions relating to Kumite and Kata. Some have
asked which is better? I think we first need to understand what each
represents. There are many instructors who say that Kata is unimportant in
training or developing a competent Martial Artist and many don't even teach
Kata at all in their Dojo. Their argument is that most techniques demonstrated
in a Kata are seldom used in 'real' circumstances and that the carefully
choreographed movements in Kata are inconsistent with real application.
Of course I totally disagree with that premise. Kata, in my opinion, is essential
to training because it consists of blocks, kicks and counter attacks that are first
taught in basics (Kihon). Kata is designed to ward off an imaginary opponent
(s), using those basic techniques. But it takes the concentration and
imagination of a well trained student to bring reality to the Kata movements.
In Kumite (sparring) those same blocks, kicks and counter attacks learned in
Kihon and Kata are used in a sparring situation. The countless hours of
training, both in Kihon and Kata, result in the effective use of those techniques
when sparring. At our Dojo, hard contact in not allowed. Face contact is also
never allowed. It’s always been my position that if a student needs this type of
contact and training then he/she would be better off in a full contact school
situation.
Traditional Karate is an Art Form. In order to be fully proficient at it, both Kata
and Kumite are essential parts of training. Neither is better than the other
because both are essential for proficiency in Karate.
Sensei
This is a short verse...but it says a lot with a few words:
PROVERBS: 4:7 - Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom. And
with all your getting, get understanding.
When we talk about Karate and Karate-do, this applies perfectly just as it does
in all ways of life.
Sensei
PROVERBS: 4:7 - Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom. And
with all your getting, get understanding.
When we talk about Karate and Karate-do, this applies perfectly just as it does
in all ways of life.
Sensei
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“I have been very fortunate to have had an extraordinary Instructor and a
close relationship with my Senior Sempai. My one regret is that I did not spend
more time with either of them. But I consider myself also fortunate to have had
a few good students over the years to carry forward what I have learned.”
Sensei
close relationship with my Senior Sempai. My one regret is that I did not spend
more time with either of them. But I consider myself also fortunate to have had
a few good students over the years to carry forward what I have learned.”
Sensei
Some time ago (11/23/2009) we made a decision to relocate our Dojo and to
reevaluate our direction. The 'thought' above came to me and I knew we were
headed in the right direction. We had left our church 'Home' location and we
were looking for a new direction. God is always good. Even when we fail...He
is always persistent in keeping His word that we can count on Him. Last
Tuesday we started our new 'Season' at Shotokan Tiger Academy. Our
combined dojo's (Black Tiger Shotokan and Rok Hit Shotokan) held class for
the first time there and it was outstanding. We have been rewarded with an
excellent facility and a group of students who are anxious to learn. If you are
in the area, please come and visit us. Oss!
Sensei
reevaluate our direction. The 'thought' above came to me and I knew we were
headed in the right direction. We had left our church 'Home' location and we
were looking for a new direction. God is always good. Even when we fail...He
is always persistent in keeping His word that we can count on Him. Last
Tuesday we started our new 'Season' at Shotokan Tiger Academy. Our
combined dojo's (Black Tiger Shotokan and Rok Hit Shotokan) held class for
the first time there and it was outstanding. We have been rewarded with an
excellent facility and a group of students who are anxious to learn. If you are
in the area, please come and visit us. Oss!
Sensei
Well, it's been almost 4 months since we moved and we have truly been
blessed. The dojo is doing just fine and we are growing beyond our
expectations. We are planning to lease out some of our space to other schools
who may be faced with similar decision like we had and we have received
some excellent responses so far. We are expanding our training days and we
are planning Special Training' nights on Fridays for our advanced ranks and
some of our sister dojos. We are planning a 'Grand Opening' (grand re-
opening actually) in May and things couldn't be better.
If you will be in the vicinity in May or are thinking of trying Karate for the first
time or even returning to Karate, check back for the "Grand Opening' date
and please feel free to join us. We would love to have you stop in.
Sensei
blessed. The dojo is doing just fine and we are growing beyond our
expectations. We are planning to lease out some of our space to other schools
who may be faced with similar decision like we had and we have received
some excellent responses so far. We are expanding our training days and we
are planning Special Training' nights on Fridays for our advanced ranks and
some of our sister dojos. We are planning a 'Grand Opening' (grand re-
opening actually) in May and things couldn't be better.
If you will be in the vicinity in May or are thinking of trying Karate for the first
time or even returning to Karate, check back for the "Grand Opening' date
and please feel free to join us. We would love to have you stop in.
Sensei
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
We have closed another chapter, but as always, another opens. We have
moved to the Shindai Aikikai Dojo, Orlando, F. 32808. Please check the
Shotokan Tiger link for address and directions.
Sensei
moved to the Shindai Aikikai Dojo, Orlando, F. 32808. Please check the
Shotokan Tiger link for address and directions.
Sensei