Kinetic Kata?

[Monkey]

Hi All

Read the article about Kinetic Chains in the recent CST (another Great edition congrats to all who contribute) and it raised a couple of questions.

1. I wondered whether practicing Kata (or Jurus in my particular art) would count as being a Kinetic chain? Is, for example, a block a BME or a EMC?

I appreciate a block can be a variety of things depending how executed, but lets suppose that the block is executed whilst rotating the pelvis and trunk and s lightly lowering the level of the body whilst breathing out. Is this a BME?

So if I want to design a "striking " type kinetic chain to ensure I am generating power and moving between levels would this be possible this possible? In my example given above say that I block in the way set out and then return with a backfist (by torquing my body the other way , so if I blocked counterclockwise I would return clockwise), ensuring the return was a "whole body" expereince and accompnied by breathing out would this be a basic chain?

Hope this makes sense without pictures.

Monkey

[Scott Sonnon]

Silat is probably the closest I have seen to naturally teaching combative kinetic chains in striking. Use the following formula to convert rigidity into flow. It doesn't matter if you utilize all of the criteria. Don't try to "live up to" this definition of the Body-Flow methodology. Just focus on using what enhances your form and accelerates your learning rate.

Excerpt from the Musings section:
Biomechanical Exercise is not a thing; it’s a methodology… an approach. It is a vehicle to movement freedom. It’s a blueprint for CREATING ORIGINAL MOVEMENT… (and following the Body-Flow philosophy, therefore, it is a doorway for creating original thought, spontaneous personhood.) What follows is a succinct but exhaustive definition of the Biomechanical Exercise Methodology.

The Elementary Motor Component™ Methodology (EMC) deconstructs a motion into the smallest divisible units of motion, called an EMC, which integrates breathing, movement and structure. The EMC is a part of a larger structure called a Biomechanical Exercise – within which it is either the beginning, middle or ending component.

The Biomechanical Exercise Methodology (BME) applies to any motion and equipment used if it observes the following criteria: The BME efficiently integrates breathing, movement and structure (Performance Breathing).
The BME seamlessly “matches” together a beginning, middle and ending EMCs.
The BME equipment should be an extension of the body (such as the Clubbell an extension of the arm in swing).
The BME force roots from the ground and amplifies by the rotational torque of bodily segments (Circular Strength Training).
The BME is explored under the Slow and Smooth Protocol in order to improve the sophistication of the motion each time, rather than merely practiced in repetition format.
The BME works specifically to interrupt, resolve, and/or discharge Fear-Reactivity.
The BME intends to be incorporated in a larger Kinetic Chain. The Kinetic Chain Methodology (KC) must observe the following criteria: A KC seamlessly links two or more BMEs with no “bound-flow” (stopping points in flow continuity.)
A KC links BMEs by a Match (perfect coupling of EMCs), Patch (addition of an EMC to create a Match) or Hem (omission of an EMC to create a Match.)
A KC seeks to increase one’s personal sophistication (Sophisticated Training Protocol - synergistically incorporates any combination of coordination, agility, and balance in such a way that the sum total training effect is greater than if any of the attributes were addressed independently. It intends to be EXPLORED and DEEPENED rather than robotically repeated and intensified.)
A KC “unbinds flow” by transferring proprioceptive benefits to all of one’s physical existence (Perpetual Exercise).
A KC removes Over-Flow (contains no superfluous activity in breathing, movement or structure; no elements lacks deliberate action or attention.)
A KC promotes Body-Flow (movement precedes feelings which precedes thoughts; or in other words, how you move determines your self-image… who you are.)

[Vbrown]

Monkey,

Take Coach's suggestion and run with it. All of my personal practise has gotten better...far better by looking at how and why I move using much of information he just posted.

It's a little challenging at first because you are trying to adapt to a new method of thinking. But it doesn't take long and once you do, things make so much more sense and you tend to relax into the motions easier because you "get it" at a deeper level.

Vince
A,CST

[Monkey]

Thanks Coach and Vince

Some of the flow in the Jurus is good to see and transitions to the floor and then back up again, some of the lower stances are similar to the long low floor steps I have seen referenced to Body Flow. I am turing full circle in many ways although I feel I have progresssed in many others.

If I might share some thoughts for those who like me sometimes think too much....

I read with interest all that has recently been written, particular in relation to the types of training available in martial arts, and have explored the reflex types of systems (following that typical human nature pattern of fearing that there was something I was missing).

My journey started because I wanted to know if I had sufficient knowledge to know I could deal with the stress of combat. The reflex systems offered an immediate solution. Too easy a solution often hints to me of it not being the right one.

I studied a number of resources; Grossmans On Killing, various biographies of those in the armed/special forces and took the view that if I could replicate what they were doing then I would be able to "perform" under stress. The solution was not that simple although lessons were learned on the way. It seemed the armies of the world rely on, in the main, brutalisation to break the soldiers ethical mode. But sole training I could not brutalise myself and for a time thought of joining the army part time. I wanted to get perspective on delaing with the neuroendocrine response and developing the ability not to hesitate to do what is necessary to end the fight.

The pyschology of the army is not that simple.

I was for a time fooled in the belief that it was not possible for fine motor skills to be used in severe adrenal stress situations. The truth I believe is that it is not unless you have trained for it or are in some way exceptional.

Then I thought of the bomb disposal expert. A situation that calls for the finest motor skill and surely cannot be any greater stress upon them. One wrong move and "BOOM", you in a million pieces, whether adrenalized or not. So training will allow you to "work" under these conditions.

Those who look to the WW2 techniques fail to look adequately at the context.

1. Soldiers spend minimal time training in H2H. Ask them. Most of them are not that good from what I have seen and those that are have developed outside the normal curriculum.

2. Time was limited (a point Coach Sonnon makes elsewhere) and so if you have two weeks you only do the basics. It is a point I had instinctively made to someone a while ago, the train of thought was "Yeah, you can learn six techniques really well [Thinking of the WW2 Chin Jabs etc] but if someone is not phased by them you are really in it."

It is really a question of wht you are training for. If you focus on the basic techniques to the partial or total exclusion of basic principles (whole body movement, mechanical efficiency etc) you will never be able to deal with an expert.

I belive body mechanics are the fundamental aspect of combat. Understanding and being able to utilise his and yours.

The question then becomes what is the required training and I think Coach Sonnon has the answer when he talks about Soft Work to hard work, you steadily increase the "stress" while controlling the autonomic response. The "dump" becomes the trickle and the body is not paralysed by it.

Also in the rush to progress I wonder if those who say that Kata are useless (and I was starting to think that way too as I adapted those beliefs) realise the benefits to be had or whether the innate "flow" has been lost and they are now merely a collection of movements poorly performed and intergrated.

I beleive that the original purpose and intent of most Kata has been lost and they are now conducted without flow and without understanding as to the purpose behind it.

For those still in any doubt I am having a moment of clarity :shock: , that has been lost on me in the last year or so. I will return my work with a new clarity and a new objective, to flow, to breath and to do so seamlessly and expand my range of motion and performance. In doing so I will be incorporating the principles I have learned from Z-Health (Which continues to confound, interest and excite me) in relation to movement and breathing.

I will look at transforming the softwork to hard work in a designed and progessive way. I will increase my mental and physical toughness by using what Ihave learned herwe (and elsewhere) to perform consistently beyond my maximum and to keep going, if that makes sense.


Thanks for reading, sorry for taking up so much time. Hope it helped a little.


Monkey

Edited for spelling and some really bad grammar :wink: