"Karate does not work"

 

Many people argue that Kata are not applicable for self-defence.

They are wrong.

True, it is not always easy to see what a certain kata move is about and how it could be used for actual self-defence.

However, like it or not, the fact that you cannot figure it out does not mean that it cannot be done. It just means that you are not able to do it...

Traditional kata were transmitted to us by Masters - some of them with actual combat experience - for several generations. If you don't believe there was actual fighting knowledge codified in these exercises, that is your loss, for you are missing a huge amount of knowledge and experience.

I am not speaking here of fancy kata designed by modern self-proclaimed masters for the sole goal purpose of winning kata competition with fancy moves that are more efficient to move air around than for fighting purpose.

I was teaching 2 weeks ago a class about the use of Seisan Kata for self-defence. One of the student, a young and dedicated female high school student told me their school self-defence  instructor had told them:  

"Karate does not work - if somebody attacks you, get on your back on the ground and kick them away from you."

Ever heard something that stupid ?

I asked the student what her instructor would say if there were several attackers. She told me she had asked her, but she had not been able to answer. 

Now here we have someone who obviously knows nothing about Karate and is being critical of it, but who also does not understand anything to actual self-defence - life and death situations, and actual fighting, and has the guts to give some of the stupidest advise to a potential victim

This is the kind of comment is stupid, it is also irresponsible. To tell a young woman that when she is being attacked she should get to the ground with her legs in the air is borderline criminal. For this is probably where the rapist wants her anyway.

The ability to defend yourself depends of a few factors : physical fitness, technical ability, and willingness to do so.

Karate (and other martial arts) will teach you the technical ability and the willingness to do so. Your physical fitness is your job. If you are serious about your study of Karate, you will have to be fit anyway. 

Do not listen to self appointed experts. Train hard, kata, and their self-defence applications - and sparring if at all possible full contact. The ability to actually strike and to receive strikes, will greatly help you not freeze under attack.

Keep High Spirit

Self Defense practice

5 weeks ago I attended a Black Belt test in Auburn. 

Yoshukai Karate testing includes a pre-arranged self-defense demonstration. Two partners attack the testing student who demonstrate in front of the judges his ability to get rid of them.

Over the years I have seen improvement in the level of proficiency students display. However, there are still too often people perform highly impractical moves, techniques that would result in getting their asses seriously kicked - or worse - if they were to use them in the street to actually defend themselves. 

Often  the problem lies with their instructors who may either not be very knowledgeable on this matter, (Yes, it happens...) or might not be demanding enough of their students when they let them test.

If your instructor lets you believe that you are sufficiently proficient in your art to be  able to actually defend yourself, when you actually are not; he is actually failing you, and if your goal in practicing Martial Arts is to be able to defend yourself, you should look somewhere else for better instruction.

However, at the end of the day, no matter how talented your instructor is, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you can actually defend yourself by using proper techniques. You, and only You can train and make sure you are up to the challenge.

So how do you know ?

There is a very easy way to test your self defense. Once you have decided what move you want to use on which attack, find someone - if at all possible 50 lb heavier than you - who has no idea what you are going to do, and ask them to attack you. As he or she does not know what you intend to do, he or she will not be able to help and you'll see if your move would actually work or not.

If it works, keep it. If it does not work, change it. Your move might be a valid one, in need of some adjustment - timing, distance, angle, to make it work. Figure them out.  It might also be totally out of touch with reality, in that case, simply drop it and find something better.

One last thing... Remember that no matter how good you are, there will always be someone better than you. Don't be cocky. 

Taido o imashimubeshi

(be prudent in actions...)

Knife Self Defense

Another great Self defense segment by Shihan Mike Leverett and Travis Page from the Yoshukai Karate Dojo in Auburn

Self Defense against Knife

The 3 first Self defense videos by Shihan Mike Leverett and Travis Page from the YOSHUKAI Dojo in Auburn, AL.

 

Visit them on Youtube SHIHANGODAN5 Channel

Segment 2

Segment 3

As everyone is now able to post on the Net, videos of every kind flourish. In matters of Martial Arts, good things are available, unfortunately usually burried under layers and layers of very poor and dangerous stuff demonstrated by self appointed masters and commented by equally self-appointed "Experts".

The Waza (Techniques) here demonstrated by Shihan (*) Leverett and Page are efficient and legitimate. This does not mean they are safe. Safety comes with long practice and training, and even there, there is no such thing as total safety. 

Enjoy

Note : Shihan is a term often used in Japanese martial arts as an honorific title for expert or senior instructors. In Yoshukai Karate, it is attributed by the Grand Master of the organization Kaicho Yamamoto to instructors having at least achieved the level of Yondans (4th degree Black Belt) and taught at this level for several years.

Katsuoh Yamamoto - Defense against grabbing

Another video from the 70's of our Grand Master Katsuoh Yamamoto demonstrating defense moves against grabbing opponents. Some of the techniques are the same his instructor Dr Chitose was using, which you can see in one video on one of my previous posts.



These tapes being pretty old the quality is far from good. These are however interesting moves. I was practicing most of these in a slightly different form when I was studying Ju Jitsu with Sensei Rolland Hernaez in France.

I will soon post on You Tube an other video of defense against atemi (Punch and kicks). Stay tuned...

Women's Self Defense & Safety Seminar

This seminar, Free for all females of the Wiregrass Area will be held at the Westgate Recreation Center from 5:45 to 6:45 pm, on Thursday Nights on November 6, 13, 20 and December 4.

. Learn to recognize signs of danger and avoid potentially dangerous situations
. Learn hand defensive techniques
. Learn to use everyday, ordinary objects for protection
. KNOW YOU HAVE OPTIONS

Sponsored by Mike Culbreth of World Yoshukai Karate , the Dothan Department of Leisure Services, the Dothan Police Department, the District attorney's Office and Dr Brett Johnson

SELF DEFENSE for Women

A Women's Self Defense & Safety Seminar - FREE for all females of the Wiregrass Area is offered at the Westgate Recreation Center from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. on Thursday Nights on November 6, 13, 20 and December 4
This Community service is sponsored by :
World Yoshukai Karate
The Department of Leisure Services
The Dothan Police Department
the District Attorney's Office
Dr Brett Johnson