Karate Training is Like a Tree

This article appears in our Spring 2017 newsletter.  It is also posted here because I humbly believe it important enough to warrant a wider audience. 

Look at a tree.  Look at Karate.  See any similarities?  Your Karate training is made up of different parts, same as a tree.  Let’s compare the two.

The most important part of a tree is the root system.  The tree doesn’t get nourishment, it’s not grounded for stability, it cannot grow or even survive without strong roots.  In Karate, this is your Kihon (basics).  Your kata (form) is just groups of basics set in specific patterns.  Kumite and Ippons (sparring and pre-arranged self-defense) uses your basics on another person.  Kihon is the root of your Karate.  Some people argue that perfecting kihon is not necessary; perfection is not needed in a street situation.  This may be true, but we strive for near-perfect kihon for two reasons:

1- Karate-do is an art designed to help the practitioner towards self-betterment.

2- With surprise and adrenaline, you will do a rushed, sloppy version of your techniques on the street.  Careless practice in the dojo means in a street attack, you will do a rushed, sloppy version of already sloppy techniques.

The trunk of the tree supports all branches and foliage.  It is usually thick and sturdy.  In Karate, this is your Kata (forms).  As it was once explained to me, kata is like a living encyclopedia of your style of Karate.  All moves can be found in your kata.  Working kata reinforces your basics, and develops muscle memory for assorted combinations of techniques.  Almost all tree trunks are wider at the base and gradually taper as you approach the top of the tree.  Kata works the same way.  As you move up to higher kata, some combinations are more complicated, but stances-punches-kicks remain constant.  Movements in higher level katas rely on movements developed in lower katas.  For example, you cannot be good at Bassai Dai if your Heian Godan is shaky.

The branches extend out from the trunk.  Each branch looks a little different, but clearly look like part of the tree.  In Karate, this is your Bunkai (analysis; explanation; meaning of moves).  Every movement or group of movements in each kata has at least one meaning - usually more than one.  We give students the simplest, most basic meaning for each series of movements.  As the student progresses, they learn that the same group of movements can have several different meanings.  Shotokan has many hidden grabs, locks, chokes, and takedowns in each kata.  ‘Hidden’ is not quite right; the meanings are there, you just have to look for them.  I’ve heard martial artists argue that bunkai is a lot of bunk; they’ll punch, kick, and block a lot sooner than they would grab an opponent and twist him to the ground.  This is partly true; you will use these basic (kihon) moves a lot sooner than you would do something more complicated.  That’s why these moves are called ‘basic’.  It’s just good to know that you can do something more complex if the situation calls for it.

The foliage, whether leaves, flowers, or needles, grow on the branches.  In Karate, this is your Kumite (sparring).  Just like foliage, kumite is the flashiest, most colorful, most noticeable part of Karate.  Your fighting techniques stem directly from your bunkai.  People see your kumite, but often have no idea how much work goes into bunkai, kata, and kihon to develop these sparring skills.

A tree needs water, sunlight, and nutrients to grow and thrive.  Without these elements, a tree can soon die.  Your Karate works the same way.  Without regular, diligent training, your Karate skills will suffer.  Feed your soul.  Feed your Karate.  I’ll see you on the deck!