Dedication to the craft

September blog 2024

As we move up in the rank of Karate and any martial art we begin to think a little that we know what we are doing. When this mentality clicks in it causes issues in training, performance, and demeanor. This blog will cover the importance of regular, dedicated, focused time to your craft of karate.

How often do you revisit, and work on the first kata you were ever given? How often do you work on the basic stances, blocks, or punches you were first given? If the answer is not every day then herein lies the issue. As black belt or advanced students, we should be experts in our basics and this should be the first thing we work on. Think of our basics as our foundation. If our foundation is unsteady then the top is going to be unsteady. If our basics are not sound our katas will be off, our sparring won’t be right, or our mental acuity will not be there. Build each practice with basics first.

Take your first kata when you practice katas and work it first. For nearly 12 years I always started with my first kata whenever I did katas to make sure that I committed to the basics. It’s about what we do when no one is watching, and how we review our oldest material that makes the difference in our katas. I was once asked why I chose 27 movements, our first kata, at a tournament I went to when I was a black belt. I explained that I have practiced this kata so hundreds of times that it comes naturally to me. How does this apply to the application of karate or self-defense?

When you train your body for years in the original items, the original basics, the original you do not have to think when you need to defend yourself. Your body will respond to what is in front of you. The moments of thinking reduce your reaction time. Build each moment of practice to work on the basics, the “firsts you learned.” These are the moments that shine through. Reaffirm your dedication to your craft by committing to yourself these training ideas. Showcase what true martial arts is about. Hajime Michael Rodgers