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
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