Here is a short video I recently uploaded to our new Youtube Channel. This one is a basic variation of the bow and arrow strangle from back control.
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Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Mushin and Kata in Grappling Arts
Mushin
Mu = Nothingness
Shin = Mind, heart, spirit
The Japanese term of "Mushin" refers to clearing the mind of all mental blocks/obstacles and letting the actions of martial arts flow through us. The state of Mushin only comes with many repetitions of a technique.
The modern sports science explanation of this would be called "muscle memory" or "reflex".
Sensei Yuzo Kato would always tell me how it takes 3000 to 5000 repetitions of a technique for you to "get it right". Sometimes he would even say 10,000.
In the book "Motor Learning", Dr. Richard Schmidt illustrates that it takes about 300 to 500 repetitions to develop a "new" motor skill and goes on to explain that it takes between 3000 to 5000 repetitions to correct a bad habit and develop a correct one.
Bruce Lee said that martial arts development isn't about building up skill , but more about chipping away of bad habits.
Jigoro Kano, when asked what was the secret to Judo expertise, replied, "Practice, practice, practice."
No matter how we look at it, the only way for us to develop Mushin or muscle memory is through repetitions of techniques.
There is another expression that says, "practice makes perfect." Another that I've heard that I think is even more accurate is that, "perfect practice makes perfect."
Kata
The International Sports Sciences Association handbook for Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning Certification defines Kata as, "a prescribed pattern of movement".
There is a common misconception about Kata in modern martial arts. There is the formal Kata that is known for choreographed patterns of footwork, stances, blocks, punches, kicks, etc. vs an imaginary foe. This type of Kata is generalized with Karate or striking arts. Formal Judo and Aikido Kata also make use of these choreographed patterns but, use a partner with both having a specific pattern to follow. One is uke (attacker) and the other is tori (defender).
Kato Sensei would often refer to Kata simply as form or the way you perform a specific technique with accuracy. It means that when performing a specific throw, pin, or submission, it is to be done as accurately as possible. Your body positioning, hands, arms, feet, legs, hips, head, all need to be in a specific place, doing a specific thing.
In my 30+ years of experience in martial arts, I have had many debates with "martial artists" that claim their art has no Katas. If you are doing repetitions of something while making the effort to have good "form", you are performing Kata.
When we drill a specific throw in Judo or guard pass in Jiu-jitsu, doing many repetitions and trying to make the transition as smooth and accurate as possible with each rep, we are in fact, performing Kata. When we practice shrimping, bridging, x-patterns, ukemi, technical standing, etc., we are performing Kata. We may call it something else, like partner drills, solo drills, exercises, scenarios, warm-ups, etc., but the purpose is still the same.
The reason we do these things is simply because perfect practice makes perfect. We want to have the ability to perform these techniques without having to think about it. We are developing muscle memory or Mushin.
We must also take into consideration that skills are perishable. After we learn them, if we do not continue to practice them or refine them, they will dull over time.
In order to get in the repetitions needed to become proficient and maintain it, you must practice. Thinking about it is not enough. Reading about it is not enough. Watching videos is not enough. You must physically perform the techniques. As the techniques become easier and more automatic, it is time to refine and work on details, combinations, set-ups, counters, etc.
Basically, the mysteries of Kata and Mushin can be explained as: Accurate repetition will develop accurate muscle memory. It's not mystery, it's science and what we call it doesn't matter, it's just a necessary formula for successfully learning an art.
Keep practicing. Get in many accurate repetitions. Remember, it isn't the hours of work you put in, but the work you put into the hours.
L.W. Keith
Mu = Nothingness
Shin = Mind, heart, spirit
The Japanese term of "Mushin" refers to clearing the mind of all mental blocks/obstacles and letting the actions of martial arts flow through us. The state of Mushin only comes with many repetitions of a technique.
The modern sports science explanation of this would be called "muscle memory" or "reflex".
Sensei Yuzo Kato would always tell me how it takes 3000 to 5000 repetitions of a technique for you to "get it right". Sometimes he would even say 10,000.
In the book "Motor Learning", Dr. Richard Schmidt illustrates that it takes about 300 to 500 repetitions to develop a "new" motor skill and goes on to explain that it takes between 3000 to 5000 repetitions to correct a bad habit and develop a correct one.
Bruce Lee said that martial arts development isn't about building up skill , but more about chipping away of bad habits.
Jigoro Kano, when asked what was the secret to Judo expertise, replied, "Practice, practice, practice."
No matter how we look at it, the only way for us to develop Mushin or muscle memory is through repetitions of techniques.
There is another expression that says, "practice makes perfect." Another that I've heard that I think is even more accurate is that, "perfect practice makes perfect."
Kata
The International Sports Sciences Association handbook for Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning Certification defines Kata as, "a prescribed pattern of movement".
There is a common misconception about Kata in modern martial arts. There is the formal Kata that is known for choreographed patterns of footwork, stances, blocks, punches, kicks, etc. vs an imaginary foe. This type of Kata is generalized with Karate or striking arts. Formal Judo and Aikido Kata also make use of these choreographed patterns but, use a partner with both having a specific pattern to follow. One is uke (attacker) and the other is tori (defender).
Kato Sensei would often refer to Kata simply as form or the way you perform a specific technique with accuracy. It means that when performing a specific throw, pin, or submission, it is to be done as accurately as possible. Your body positioning, hands, arms, feet, legs, hips, head, all need to be in a specific place, doing a specific thing.
In my 30+ years of experience in martial arts, I have had many debates with "martial artists" that claim their art has no Katas. If you are doing repetitions of something while making the effort to have good "form", you are performing Kata.
When we drill a specific throw in Judo or guard pass in Jiu-jitsu, doing many repetitions and trying to make the transition as smooth and accurate as possible with each rep, we are in fact, performing Kata. When we practice shrimping, bridging, x-patterns, ukemi, technical standing, etc., we are performing Kata. We may call it something else, like partner drills, solo drills, exercises, scenarios, warm-ups, etc., but the purpose is still the same.
The reason we do these things is simply because perfect practice makes perfect. We want to have the ability to perform these techniques without having to think about it. We are developing muscle memory or Mushin.
We must also take into consideration that skills are perishable. After we learn them, if we do not continue to practice them or refine them, they will dull over time.
In order to get in the repetitions needed to become proficient and maintain it, you must practice. Thinking about it is not enough. Reading about it is not enough. Watching videos is not enough. You must physically perform the techniques. As the techniques become easier and more automatic, it is time to refine and work on details, combinations, set-ups, counters, etc.
Basically, the mysteries of Kata and Mushin can be explained as: Accurate repetition will develop accurate muscle memory. It's not mystery, it's science and what we call it doesn't matter, it's just a necessary formula for successfully learning an art.
Keep practicing. Get in many accurate repetitions. Remember, it isn't the hours of work you put in, but the work you put into the hours.
L.W. Keith
Monday, February 2, 2015
Plateaus, Perseverance, and Breakthroughs
Everyone goes through it. Anyone at any age that has practiced martial arts for any significant amount of time has gone through a phase when the training may become a little more challenging, overwhelming, boring, hard work, or maybe even too easy. Whatever it is, it causes us to become frustrated and perhaps a little disinterested in continuing our training. We call this a training plateau.
This is a time when students quit training, or "take time off to try another activity". Kids might even tell their parents that they don't like martial arts anymore and get upset when it is time to go to class.
This is normal. People (especially kids) usually do not realize that they are going through a normal and natural process. And, most beginners do not know that this time is crucial to their training both on a physical and mental level.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Remember, one of the most important character traits learned in martial arts is PERSEVERANCE.
Perseverance is needed to get through this phase. I always encourage parents to keep their child training until their next promotion. Many times, seeing the reward for their consistency and labor, the student will find new motivation and be eager to continue learning. What's more amazing is that the student will usually have a breakthrough before the promotion actually happens.
I encourage my teen and adult students to make training part of their regular routine. I also remind them that the dojo is a type of sanctuary for them to help relieve stress and clear their mind of the everyday clutter. Stay at it, and the breakthroughs will come.
The breakthroughs come in different shapes and sizes. Sometimes it is a technical aspect that connects with and handful of techniques. Sometimes it is a strategy that ties together the entire game plan. Other times, it may be a philosophy that brings new perspective to light. Whatever it is, the student is enlightened and motivated to make use of these new ideas.
As a student gains more experience, he/she will realize that plateaus and breakthroughs are all part of the growing process of the martial artist. By the time we become a black belt, we will have gone through this process many, many times. The highly experienced martial artist greets this process as a welcomed challenge. However, plateaus do not end with attaining black belt. It is never-ending part of the growing martial artist.
As parents, we sometimes have to persevere for our children. It's a little harder for them to understand what is going on. We can't give up so easily. What kind of lesson are we teaching our children if we encourage them to quit or give up whenever the going gets tough? Don't teach your child to be a quitter. Hard work pays off.
Those that learn perseverance in martial arts will also persevere in school, career, personal relationships, and life in general.
L.W. Keith
This is a time when students quit training, or "take time off to try another activity". Kids might even tell their parents that they don't like martial arts anymore and get upset when it is time to go to class.
This is normal. People (especially kids) usually do not realize that they are going through a normal and natural process. And, most beginners do not know that this time is crucial to their training both on a physical and mental level.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Remember, one of the most important character traits learned in martial arts is PERSEVERANCE.
Perseverance is needed to get through this phase. I always encourage parents to keep their child training until their next promotion. Many times, seeing the reward for their consistency and labor, the student will find new motivation and be eager to continue learning. What's more amazing is that the student will usually have a breakthrough before the promotion actually happens.
I encourage my teen and adult students to make training part of their regular routine. I also remind them that the dojo is a type of sanctuary for them to help relieve stress and clear their mind of the everyday clutter. Stay at it, and the breakthroughs will come.
The breakthroughs come in different shapes and sizes. Sometimes it is a technical aspect that connects with and handful of techniques. Sometimes it is a strategy that ties together the entire game plan. Other times, it may be a philosophy that brings new perspective to light. Whatever it is, the student is enlightened and motivated to make use of these new ideas.
As a student gains more experience, he/she will realize that plateaus and breakthroughs are all part of the growing process of the martial artist. By the time we become a black belt, we will have gone through this process many, many times. The highly experienced martial artist greets this process as a welcomed challenge. However, plateaus do not end with attaining black belt. It is never-ending part of the growing martial artist.
As parents, we sometimes have to persevere for our children. It's a little harder for them to understand what is going on. We can't give up so easily. What kind of lesson are we teaching our children if we encourage them to quit or give up whenever the going gets tough? Don't teach your child to be a quitter. Hard work pays off.
Those that learn perseverance in martial arts will also persevere in school, career, personal relationships, and life in general.
L.W. Keith
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