How Do You Practice A Kata?
• Get into the mindset. At the opening kamae (combat posture), e.g. uncrossing your arms and putting your feet at shoulder width, imagine you are about to enter a real fight. This involves two things: Projecting confidence and being aware of what’s going on around you in a full, 360 degree circle. This should continue throughout the kata, as visualising every punch striking home will keep your attacks crisp and strong. Regardless of the actual posture (there are a wide variety of opening kamae for empty-handed and weapon arts), the mindset is the same. • Perform your first step (or group of steps) against an imaginary opponent of exactly your size. Imagine that if you don’t block or strike perfectly, you will be killed. Not hurt, not embarrassed—killed. You must move with this purpose in mind, or you’re just doing some sort of strange aerobics in Japanese underwear. • Relax between steps. There should be a natural build up of power in each series of techniques, then a pause in-between.
