Fit to Explore

CrossFit conditioning has opened new vistas of shotokan challenges to me. I am so grateful to my son for getting his mother and me involved in CrossFit. It is fantastic.

With new strength comes new opportunities. The kata Chinte (go here to see a  JKA video clip of the kata being performed) has always baffled and intrigued me. What do some of the moves mean, besides the obvious ones like the eye-pokes?

During the next several weeks, I will explore the inner meaning of this kata Chinte and try to improve my performance of it. Thanks CrossFit (and my son!) for enabling new exploration. (Click on the image to the left for a larger version.)

Flexibility and Kata

My CrossFit coach Mateo is stressing flexibility and it is really helping my kata. As my body ages, joints become stiff, muscles and tendons lose range of motion. This can be countered I believe but requires that flexibility be an integral part of training.

Here's a good example of some standard crossfit warm up drills that help increase range of motion. Here's an example of a stretch sequence called dead bug which works the core beautifully. Finally, here is an entire sequence of really good range of motion boosters.

But being bendy needs purpose, and kata is a great purpose. Here is a good example of what flexible kata looks like. I love how Asai Sensei does the double palm heel strike in this wonderful kata. But to see the benefits of real flexibility, watch Asai Sensei, 'the thunderstorm,' in this clip! Inspirational.

Easter Renewal

I attended my first instructors' training session at the main JKA dojo in Phoenix yesterday. I met some great people and learned some new things about karate. For example, I was asked to perform a kata that I liked and I chose Jitte. My habit from Chicago days is to lock down on each technique and exhale loudly. Hhh-ut, contract core, show good kime.

In this region, the emphasis is on more subtle breathing, through the nose rather than the mouth. Not sure which is better right now, but I think it is possible to execute powerful kime using either breathing techniques. I must research this more.

I also learned that there is a kata review session at the main dojo every Saturday morning from 9 to 11am. They go through all 26 shotokan katas! That is great! I will definitely take advantage of this opportunity at least once a month.

I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Shojiro Koyama, a most remarkable man. He is a gold mine of information on karate and how to teach karate, and he is a true leader in the sense that he brings out a desire to be your best. At one point in the proceedings, he said, "My karate training is my happiness."

What a great thing to say.

Kamae and Good Friday

Kamae is Japanese and in kanji means "base." It refers to the posture of the entire body. But it also connotes the attitude of the being adopting the posture. It is a reflection of the inner state of the person assuming the stance. Proper kamae is an essential ingredient in shotokan. Correct alignment makes timing and distance drills easier to perform. Slouching weakens technique. Nishiyama Sensei used to emphasize "whole body action" and good kamae. He modeled good posture on and off the dojo floor. Training in CrossFit really improves core strength, a key to proper posture.

Today is Good Friday. Over one billion Catholics remember on this day the trial and execution of justice and mercy incarnate. It is the Triduum.

Today provides an opportunity to adopt the attitude of prayer, the kamae of respect for the love of our savior in freeing us for freedom's sake, as St. Paul put it.