Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Principles of San Ten Traditional Karate Do





Principles of San Ten Traditional Karate Do

Technique (Waza)

Basic Fundamentals





Power Source

There is a saying in San Ten Traditional Karate Do, “block with the hips, punch with the hips.” There is basically no sport that does not use the power of the hip. Baseball natural batting swing is about the most perfect coordinated body movement when hitting a ball. The batter uses the hip to deliver his inner powers to the bat. The boxer and golfer also use the coordinated hip action to discharge power to the punches and the golf club.

It is all in the hip. Coordinated with external power sources, together in an instant of delivery, creates a devastating explosive force. A reverse punch well coordinated and using all the power tools endowed to us can generate enough power to lift 5 times our body weight. Of course, it all depends on ones’ weight. But neither in any other sport nor in the punching of karate is the extension and contraction of the arms alone sufficient to produce an effective technique. The hip is the secret.


To deliver the internal power of one’s body one must:
Keep the hips horizontal to the floor. Rotate ones hip smoothly.

Do not allow ones hip to raise; always keep them level.
Do not turn the shoulder only.

Turn the upper body smoothly in unison with the hips.
Always keep the torso upright, taking care that the buttocks do not protrude to the rear.
Conceptual Principles
There are three fundamental conceptual principles in San Ten Karate Do.
A) Physical
b) Mental
C) Spiritual
Although power is derived through the mechanics and transformation of body energy, it is physical and mental timing of power which is deemed most important in San Ten Traditional Karate.
In Physical Power:
In order to generate physical power, it is necessary to have mental stability. The interaction of internal and external body forces can produce ultimate physical power.
The transformation of body dynamics and locomotion produces potential power.

1. Using our Inner Powers
How many time we have heard stories about the power of one’s’ energy. The small feeble man, who dashes into a burning car, rips the mangled door of its hinges to save a trapped young person. The women who lifted the rear end of a car to save a young boy who was pinned under a car. During their current life probably these two individuals only used thirty or 40% of their energies. Only through the tragic experiences these individuals can call upon the reserve energy the traditional karate-ka call the Ki, the Life Force. Through this infinite force the man and the woman were able augment their energy to 100%. They became stronger, almost superhuman.
In San Ten Karate-Do, it is essentially that we tab on 100 percent of the whole energy that is stored in us. This physical force is primordial for our technical progression and efficiency. The role carried out by the muscles is very important for the liberation of the internal energy; the more contracted the muscles are, the greater the force is liberated upon loosening for example: the principle of 1Yori Ashi.
2. Kime— Concentrating the Energy.
The total use of one’s’ energy is not enough, because it is necessary that said force is not wasted in different direction. The solar rays represent an energy that, in spite of everything, is unable to inflame a leaf of newspaper; however, make these solar rays pass through the lens of a magnifying glass and in the point of concentration an intense heat will take place that will cause the paper to burn in a few seconds. These "explosion of energy" is what one searches in the karate, concentrating in that wanted moment the whole means on the objective that one should reach.
The force of one muscle is very limited, but adding several muscles and all working together simultaneously and in the same direction, creates an explosive force. The more muscle one uses the greater the force.
A great Japanese Karate teacher was visiting the United States, said: "Even your ear contribute to the power of the blow." Evidently, this is not more than an image, but indicates the importance and the necessity with clarity foresee every gesture of the opponent. The zone where the concentration is completed to maximum is located on one line perpendicular to the floor, in front of us.

3. Use of Physical Principles

Control thy Breathing.

Breathing plays an important part in muscular contraction. It is necessary to distinguish two important intervals in breathing in a combat situation:



1. The Way, I Breath.
While inhaling, the air expands the diaphragm and loosens the muscles. An attack made at this interval can cause serious weak conditions to our bodies. The attacker will always be aware in the way we breathe. He searches for the proper timing (Kuzushi) to focus an attack. At that moment of truth, the attacker fills his lungs with air and in that instance, in that moment, he hits, with the purpose of obtaining a perfect muscular concentration. The breathing goes accompanied by the Kiai, or scream destined to help the liberation of energy and at the same time confuse to the adversary. For an effective Kiai, the breathing should travel from the sub-abdominal region the Hara. The Kiai helps to execute an attack and ignite the spirit of combat.
2. The Breathing of the Adversary.
In the moment in which the opponent finishes exhaling and begins to inhale, is the appropriate timing to attempt an attack with success. The opponent is vulnerable at this time. The muscles are relaxed and he is not preparing to receive a blow. Lastly, with training, it is possible to guess the attack of the opponent by the way they are breathing, in which case it is easy and advantageous if one concentrate in timing and speed.
Effect of Action/Reaction
Hikite - Effect of a clash of action /reaction
Hikite is the pulling or returning hand. Usually, the hand that does the pulling will also perform the principle of Furi... Using this physical principle properly will enhance the power of action/reaction. Proper timing is essential. This phenomenon is used in karate with object of increasing the power of the attack. The wave of the clash provoked by the blow returns then, thanks to the quick drawn back from the arm that hits double its power of the blow. Also, by making the two parts of the body some muscular efforts absolutely symmetrical, the body wins stability. (Upon going from natural way, the balance is obtained advancing the left foot, the right arm while they go back the right foot and the left arm.
With a firm foothold and proper balance in the floor also generates power. Upon attacking with a foot, in Mae Geri for example, the wave of clash crosses the whole body and it go by the posterior foot, and mainly for the check, until the point of support on the floor. If this point of support, the wave returns to their starting point and doubles the force of the blow.
This is one of the reasons for insisted stability so much in the of the point of support; on the other hand, a good point of support helps to the impulse of the blow making of springboard (one could not give a jump of height without taking a good point of support for the impulse of the leg).
The Precision of the Furi
The liberation of energy is convenient and necessary to reach a precise and vital point of the human body. To obtain the precision of a punch, a principle of ballistics is used according to which a body that rotates on itself stabilizes its trajectory. Such it is the case of the bullet of a rifle that rotates in the hairspring of the soul of the cannon and that, thanks to the acquired rotation; it reaches their objective with accuracy. This principle is used in the karate. It is called Furi.

The Concept of the External Power.
This physical principle causes action/reaction timing. This phenomenon is used in karate with the objective of increasing the power of the attack, by making the body some muscular efforts absolutely symmetrical, the body wins stability. (Upon going from natural way, the balance is obtained advancing.
External forces are all other aids to the delivery of potential and transformed power, such as floors, walls, and the adversary's body. Internal body forces operate on the principles of action and reaction, and produce pushing and twisting motions by exerting pressure against the floors, walls, etc.
This is one of the reasons why this type of training insists so much in the stability of the stances; on the other hand, a good point of support helps to the impulse the blow making a springboard, in the event that a retreat is warrant. A quick yori-ashi can prevent disaster.
Speed of Execution.
When a mass is quickly displaced, the more violent the clash will be at the point of impact. It is more useful to get a slight gain of speed that an advantage based on the pure force. The force liberated at the point of impact is considered in this formula,
F= ½MV2, being M the Mass and V the speed.
The more short it is the timing of the clash of a mass, the impressionably will be the destruction at the point of the impact. On the other hand, at times, great speed gives the adversary the advantage and may foil the attack, creating difficulties.
The Reflexes
The practice of Karate develops reflexes because an attack requires a counter attach automatically. These sequences are executed in a mechanical and intuitive manner. These automatic movements raise the spirit of combat and give the freedom to concentrate better in the perception and the intentions of the adversary. Training regularly and with a sincere heart enhances this automatism of the intuitive reflexes.
The Psychological Timing
This concept has two thought in mind.
1. Psychological timing impresses a moral question. When and when not to fight. If the odds are against us, it is better not to involve oneself in a losing battle. Wait. . .
2. An attack has better probabilities of success if the opponent is relaxed, off-balance or if their attention weakens for an instant. This sense of opportunity is acquired by means of the training and self determination that allows to discern the favorable moments calmly.


The Concentration:
So that an attack can be effective, it is necessary to use all the muscles necessary at the same time and in the same instance, however to allow the necessary relaxation to transition from one attacking technique to another with agility. On the other hand, excessive tension harms the concentration and, in the moment in which one should attack, the muscles are exhausted or twitched. Little does the technique serve if the attack is not supported by self determination. When one perceives an opening in his guard, it is necessary to attack without delay, at that precise moment.
Control Thyself. Stable Emotions:
Do not let your intentions be known. In the karate one need to be serene, unspiritual and impassive facial expressions, because a mere frown of the brows is enough so that the adversary could guess our intentions. It is necessary to be in perfect control of oneself. Avoid, that the opponent does not discern our intentions. (Our breathing or the expression of our face, hands feet), and also to impede the reading of our feelings (fear, hate, etc.) in our faces. “Anger is a bad consultant" says the proverb, which is true so much in the physical/psychological aspect of combat.
Know Your Adversary:
In order to better guess the adversary, we must conserve a perfect serenity of spirit; our keen intuition will be more sensitive to all that surrounds us. It is possible, for example, to notice the attitude of the opponent the second he is going to counterattack. It also is possible, by observing (metsuke) calmly their eyes, and guesses the moment the opponent will attack. Master was able to foresee even where the attack will take place. We should compare our spiritual state with a mirror in which reflects all the intentions of our opponent. We should not tried to see, but of perceive and discern.
Physical Concept:
When we lose control, we forget all the fundamental principles that compose the base for successful technique. A muscle that is contracted and is not suitable, and those that are relaxed when they should be in contraction, only places us in harm’s way. An attack made in such conditions offers the risk and turn out ineffective, and even dangerous. T he opponent, has conserved himself in an emotional stability, and is capable of delivering a counterattacked victoriously.
Psychological:
In general, it exist an apparent disproportion between the causes of a flare of cholera and the continual reprisals. Such is the case of the driver who was at fault, gravely hurts another, with the pretext that the other driver was at fault. Also the fear could force certain behavior that could take a long time lament bitterly. Any technical progress is possible without a perfect control, and this control is a given grace to the trust in itself that the karate grants to their practitioners

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