At Kyudokan we believe that progress in a martial art can only come from regular practice. Kyudo Mugen, the study-trail is never-ending, dear to Master Yuchoku Higa, founder of Kyudokan has become the motto of the school and symbolises the spirit of Kyudokan, the pursuit of personal physical and mental development through constant practice.
As we are confined to our houses and all karate classes have been cancelled in view of the current sanitary crisis, I would like to encourage all our students to keep training at home regularly until we are able to resume classes.
If you are not already doing so, you should be practicing at home between classes anyway. If you are serious about your karate and want to improve, the 3 hours of weekly classes will only get you so far.
Fortunately, many of karate training methods such as Kihon and Kata allows to practice ou our own. At this stage, many of you are familiar with our kihon (basic) training. Basic punches and blocks can be easily continued at home in order to maintain a certain level of fitness and to perfect your technique.
Another tool available to you is the practice of Kata. Kata are solo forms and can be practiced in an area of only a couple of square meters. If your space is not sufficient to do the full kata, it can also be broken down in smaller sections that can be practiced individually.
Our website has videos of many of our basic katas at http://kyudokankerry.com/kyudokan-katas/. These videos can be used as a basis for home practice. Review all the katas you already know and if you want to, pick up the next kata and start learning the moves. If the kata you are looking for is not on that list, please contact us and we can send you a link for the kata.
When doing so and performing each move of the kata, keep in mind the 4 main principles of the school and concentrate on balance and breathing.
Working on the kata on your own outside of classes will speed up your learning dramatically as it means the the time spent in class with your sensei can be spent correcting and adjusting your kata rather than learning the basic moves from start.
I have set myself a target to learn the basis of at least one new kata. Obviously I will need correction from my sensei the next time I meet him but me knowing the basic moves of the kata will ensure that I make the best use of the limited amount of time I will spend with Sensei.
Always remember that Karate is a personal pursuit, the only person you are in competition with is yourself.
Kyudo Mugen …
“In karate you may well train under the guidance of your teacher, but you should never relinquish the responsibility for learning karate to anyone else; that remains yours – always!”
(Shi Gi Tai – Michael Clarke)