Uechi-Ryu.com

Well Mike I think you've hit on something that needs to be in kata for it to be valid - intent.

Training kata without intent is invalid IMO.

"No mind" doesn't mean weak mind. It means a completely present mind where nothing but the moment exists.

So Uechi kata are invalid if there is no intent, there must be some level of understanding for there to be intent.

However - I think a very basic level of understanding can drive very strong intent.

So if a student is just thinking "step, block, punch" and they are doing so with a clear and focused mind then they are helping their development.

If a student is thinking about their bills, their meeting tomorrow, the 18 principles that will be explored in the course of the kata before they get to them, and how cool they look in their new gi in the mirror...then their training will not be as...useful...as it could be.

Let's say that in the big 3 Uechi kata I believe that I know at least one yummy way to use each and every movement in those three forms. Is that enough to make what is in all those forms valid?

Is the validity of the training in the kata or the practitioner?

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Neither the validity is in the application , the moment , the gestalt perhaps

I find that with some kata I can get into the zone where I don't have to think about the move or the application, which is the same thing that happens during my more successful moments during the hands on part of my training. I will admit that it started happening during sparring first, rather than during kata.



One of the important things I've learned from the guy I train with is to be in the moment. Being truly in the moment seems to be one of those things easier said than done, and takes a lot of work to develop.



IMO, yes! Except I also believe that trying to put too many uses for each movement can break a kata and can give a person too much to think about during the performance.

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