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by cejames

Kihon is repeated until the movement becomes almost instinctive, obtaining a perfect action.

(Something which is) fundamental. To see beneath the surface features of the technique and grasp the core common is to comprehend the KIHON.

Kihon is the term for the basic techniques that are taught and practiced as the foundation of all later movements added to karate. At the simple level this would include stances, punches, kicks and blocks. Styles of karate differ greatly in their focus or lack thereof on Kihon. Some styles have a set of twelve basics that are practiced consistently every single class.

When a student first starts training in karate they are introduced to individual techniques such as strikes, blocks, and kicks. The practice is referred to as Kihon or basics. In some Isshinryu dojo they are referred to as chart 1 (Te no bu “Hand part”) and chart 2  (Ashi no bu  “Foot part”) basics.  Kihon is performed while in a mostly stationary position.

As a student progresses they will then begin ippon Kihon or one step basics. This means a student will move from a hieko stance to seisan stance when performing upper basics and the same movement for the lower basics.

The practice of basics while moving about the dojo floor is referred to as ‘Kihon Ido’ or moving basics. It is simply adding in steps while you perform blocks, strikes, and kicks. This form of practice takes it beyond the ippon kihon to a movement in the forward and then reverse direction. Finally or the last phase is providing movement in one, two, three, or all four directions.

This type of training sets the foundation for all karate training to follow. Stringing basics together in jiyu kihon or free style basics allows the student to prepare for learning the style’s kata.

Basics, in all its forms, are practiced for the entire life of the karate practitioner. Students should practice kihon until they are instinctive and they should visualize opponents attacking with various basic techniques as they practice. This basic practice is carried into other area’s of karate practice to include one of the most important aspects of karate training, visualization within kata and bunkai.

by cejames

Practice is a way for us to create a balance within from our mistakes, the dangers we face, the delight we get from practice, the losses we suffer, and the enjoyment we receive from practice well done. Practice is constant and never ending much as the tao.

Practice brings about a positive psychological change in the practitioner. Proper practice encourages good moral and ethical development. Practice addresses the more diverse goal of the martial arts such as personal growth, self-discipline, and self-reliance. Practice provides physical activity, physical fitness, skills acquisition, and social activity.

Zen and Karate practice provide the path to follow in creating a balanced person within so they can exude that spirit towards the outside world. To conquer oneself is required before one can confront and overcome those external problems we encounter in day-to-day activities.

Asian martial arts practice traditionally emphasize self-knowledge, self-improvement, and self-control: teach self-defense, involve philosophical and ethical teachings to be applied to life, have a degree of ceremony and ritual, emphasize the integration of mind and body, and have a meditative component. Practice in all these area’s and more provide the practitioner with the means to develop a balanced spirit or self.

Karate practice leads to positive changes in overall life-satisfaction, reduces stress from negativity, and leads to greater decreases in anger and mood disturbances.

Karate practitioners who dedicated themselves to steady and constant practice showed an increase in their feelings of self-control, self-confidence, self-reliance, self-esteem, lower feelings of vulnerability, and large decreases in hostility or hostile reactions.

Practice decreased levels of stress after a stressful experience and leads to increases in general mental health.

The only path a practitioner can take to master the art of karate is through the following creed:

PRACTICE (again and again), PRACTICE ( till you get it right)
PRACTICE (till it becomes second nature), PRACTICE (over and over)
PRACTICE (1,000 times then practice more).

To practice is also to learn the technique of staying in the moment. This is the true moment one wishes to attain especially in times of crises. It is in those times when you are in the moment when you can not think of the past or future. You can not think of anything other than the technique you are practicing; the combination of the movement, bunkai, muscle and breathe control and so on. If you lose focus on the moment and drift into some past issue or start thinking of that meeting you have to attend in the morning you lose the moment and the practice falters and fails. The only way to continue the practice is to let your mind return to the session and bring the mind back into the moment and only the moment.

The mind is in constant motion and through practice you learn to control the path the mind takes at that moment. You can let it falter into something either in the past or into that which has not been set in the future or you can remain in the moment.