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dhogsette
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Exponential Kata and Bunkai Count

Hello,   

I thought I'd share some training exercises I tried out in class tonight with my beginners. First, I introduced them to "exponential kata" practice. Move 1, back to ready; moves 1-2, back to ready; moves 1-3, back to ready; moves 1-4, back to ready; all the way through the kata. Exhausting, challenging, and fun! You really get to know that kata. Also, we talked about fighting through the exhaustion, accepting errors w/out beating yourself up, resolving to not commit the same error on the next progressive cycle even though you are more tired than the previous cycle, and recognizing how the body becomes harder to control when tired and full of adrenalin but still trying to execute the techniques properly.   

Then, we practiced what I like to call bunkai count. Instead of counting the moves by number, I call out the bunkai associated with the sequence (clear guard, step punch) and we perform that portion of the kata (opening two moves to Fukyugata 1). Then, I call out the next bunkai sequence (strike the back of the head, pull head tight to chest, takedown and punch) and perform that sequence (pivot, low block, step punch)...all the way through the kata. That helps us visualize the applications and connect the movements to the applications more deliberately.   

The students and I really had an intense and productive class!    

Best,   

David 

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

dhogsette wrote:
First, I introduced them to "exponential kata" practice. Move 1, back to ready; moves 1-2, back to ready; moves 1-3, back to ready; moves 1-4, back to ready; all the way through the kata. Exhausting, challenging, and fun! You really get to know that kata. Also, we talked about fighting through the exhaustion, accepting errors w/out beating yourself up, resolving to not commit the same error on the next progressive cycle even though you are more tired than the previous cycle, and recognizing how the body becomes harder to control when tired and full of adrenalin but still trying to execute the techniques properly.

I like it! A very simple way to make one hell of a workout out of a single kata. I am stealing that one for my own practise! A great example of “repetition by stealth” i.e. doing the same things over and over in a way that is not mind-numbing. Thanks for sharing!

All the best,

Iain

dhogsette
dhogsette's picture

I use this in my personal training, and I thought, hey, why not have the whole class do this?... Worked well. Let me know how you like it when you give it a go. 

Best,

David 

Wastelander
Wastelander's picture

We do both of these things in our dojo, albeit not terribly often. I actually was originally taught kata "exponentially," as you put it :). They are certainly interesting ways to practice!

Marc
Marc's picture

Another nice variation is to repeat the upper body part of each technique 2 or 3 times.

So for example, you step out left into Gedan-Barai and then, while keeping your stance, repeat the Gedan-Barai arm movement (both arms) twice and also rotate your hips while doing it. Next, step on into your Oi-Zuki. Then repeat the Oi-Zuki arm movement (both arms) twice. And of course try to perform the moves properly with full speed each time.

Combine that "multiplied kata" with your "exponential kata" and you get two hells of a workout. ;-)

Enjoy your day everybody.

Marc  

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Wastelander wrote:
I actually was originally taught kata "exponentially," as you put it :)

That was the way my sensei taught too! You did the first move until you had a working version of it, and the second move was added. When you had a sufficient grasp of those two, then the third was added; and so on. As a methods of learning I’ve used it as student and teacher.  What had not previously occurred to me was to practise a known kata, at speed, in that way.

Having done the maths it’s definitely a training method for shorter kata (i.e. Pinans, Naihanchi, etc). It would take some time and effort to do Kushanku or Suparinpei in that way. An alternative way to approach things for longer kata, or on days where you have limited time, it would be to do moves 1 through 5, then 2 through 6, then 3 through 7, and so on.

All the best,

Iain

dhogsette
dhogsette's picture

I decided to do exponential Gojushiho today. Took me 20 min, and I was wiped! LOL. But it was well worth it. I have a tendency to want to do many things during a training session, and there certainly is a place for that. But, I don't often focus on one thing for very long. This exercise helps me focus on one kata yet feel I'm doing many things. Also, there were moments that my mind got lost in the repetition and I didn't recall what I was doing and where I was in the kata yet I got through that cycle, as if on autopilot. An interesting training experience.

Best,

David