karate, babble

[deralte]

Yay! I had a karate class with no major injuries. Somehow it feels like awhile since that's happened. Class was entertaining enough. I know everyone wants to learn how to do those side kicks cause they look cool, but I don't have much enthusiasm for them since they're bloody useless in a real fight. The training in the middle was fun even if I've found I constantly have to remind people in this class to actually punch like they mean it. They need to train people to be better ukes (let me remind those of you who know both meanings of that word to get your minds out of the gutter). I like the new kata we're doing better than the old one, even if I still think they're (mostly) useless.

I'm currently trying to figure out how to find the time to watch all the stuff on my comp so I can delete it, but also finish off my notes so I can write my essay due Thursday. I really need to buckle down and work, but I'm seriously suffering from senioritis or something. Cannot bring myself to work for more than a few minutes, and even separating myself from the comp or tv doesn't work since my imagination is just as good at distracting me. I've been on the same bloody source for two days now and it's not that hard to read or anything. *sigh* I really have to snap out of this and get actual work done, but I have no idea how to do that.

Comments

[tritoneclarinet.livejournal.com]

Maybe try the rewards system? Watch one anime episode for each source that you read through?

[deralte.livejournal.com]

That method doesn't work under normal circumstances for me, much less when I'm suffering from severe senioritis or something.

[deralte.livejournal.com]

But thanks anyway:)

[spudtater.livejournal.com]

Side kicks are indeed pretty useless from a self-defence point of view, since by the time you've thought to get in a kick the whole thing's pretty much over. Plus it all tends to be too close-range for kicking.

From an organised fighting situation it's more useful, since it opens up a few more options; after you commit to a kick you still have a choice between the different forms (and heights) of kick. So if you're going to pick fights...   8^)

Oh, and I agree that kata are probably fairly useless to somebody of your level. For me they're quite effective in reminding me to stay in correct form; when it's all about the shape of your body, you can't get away with poor posture. The specifics of the kata still seem fairly arbitrary to me, though.

[deralte.livejournal.com]

Since I'm never going to be doing organized fighting, nor pick a fight, the kick is really useless for me. Not to mention, I've actually been trained with several ways to... severely damage someone if they try the kick on me, so practicing the move itself, when I know how weak it is, feels stupid.

As for the kata, I actually don't think they're necessary for anyone at any level, but you have to understand that I come from an art that almost entirely discards kata (we have five basic kata which are each 2-3 moves long). Your form is quite important, but I think it's something people should be expected to do correctly all the time, and not just in kata. Your form changes depending on who you're fighting, therefore, kata are only useful as very basic guidelines. The way I see it, they just waste time, since you could easily learn how to use one specific form *against* someone, then practice several different forms yet have no idea how they're used, or when you should use them.

In my taijitsu classes, you're expected to be practicing good form along with everything else. Yes, it is hard in the beginning because you have no idea what you're doing and everything is unfamilar. So a lot of your early time is spent just figuring out how to move your body and get the basic moves down. This actually works out well since white belts are almost always paired with black belts - that way beginners get the full benefit of training with someone who can essentially be a personal trainer (in addition to the sensei). You get a good example and good advice so that after awhile things do start sinking in and you start moving the way you're supposed to without realizing it. People look out for each other. If I had a dollar for every time someone's yelled "Back straight!" at me or "Walk!" I'd own a much nicer car by now...

In essence, the way I learnt was very different from the way they teach at karate here. I'm completely biased towards my own art, so what you're getting in this journal are my actual feelings towards the matter. It's their class and they're free to do it however they like, but I reserve the right to complain in my own journal. You'll note, I always go along with what they're doing in class (with the occasional minor change in form so I don't ruin my own form).

My art's way is unusual. I've never been to another class that teaches that way, and while I adore it, we do have a ridiculously high drop out rate. Maybe one person in ten who comes to train at Bujinkan actually stays longer than a month or two. I don't even bother learning people's names unless I see them for more than a year. Karate and kata are easier, and they seem to work for some people, but for me, they're just a method of keeping my own skills up to date, while very occasionally learning something new (those pressure points on Sunday were very cool).

[spudtater.livejournal.com]

> I reserve the right to complain in my own journal.

Well duh. It's not like I was contradicting you...   8^S

Oh, am interested in those replies to kicks... what would you do? (WWAD?)

[deralte.livejournal.com]

Oh, am interested in those replies to kicks... what would you do? (WWAD?)

One way is to "catch it" and just go from there. The other way involves taking the other person's space. I can show you, I guess, so long as you're confident in your falling ability.

[spudtater.livejournal.com]

Depends on what fall. I've practiced to death falling from a hip throw, and backwards is easy... must learn more. (Knowing how to fall is useful.)

[spudtater.livejournal.com]

...or I might just fall asleep instead.   8^P

[deralte.livejournal.com]

*giggles* I had wondered where you were:P It's a pity since there was this Glaswegian guy there who actually introduced a variation of what I was going to show you. You'd need to know how to do a sideways role for me to do the one I was taught.