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Karate

[tree - history - kata - kumite - kihon - contests - courses - Dojyo Kun - belts and examinations]

The kihon

The Kihon results from Karate Masters' on-going research. This research relies not only on power but also on a series of factors such as the muscles' position.

In brief, the Kihon looks for movement efficiency. Avoid useless reflexes, overdone movements that diminish the technique effect. But what is in fact a kihon ?

At the training, what we call a kihon is the learning of techniques outside their context. As a child who learns how to write letters (a, b, c, …) before writing whole texts, the karate techniques have to be practised tirelessly to come close to movement perfection and efficiency.

The karate student will learn how to work and improve various aspects such as balance, speed, power, (Kime), technique concentration and mental concentration (Zanshin). Training and improving a kihon is noticeable both in katas and kumite.

Indeed, learning a kihon does not take into account the technique application aspect, or very few. The Kihon is a continuous ' fight ' against oneself and one's capabilities. It is a constant questioning of one's karate !

Breathing has a critical role to play. But learning to breath efficiently is not that easy. A better breathing control brings concentration, an ' empty ' mind (critical within the context of the kumite) but also a better management of one's body to prepare it for effort and help it to support this effort.

Learn how to move rapidly is also a karateka's task. Karate shows that speed is not only a question of muscles but above all a harmony between these, i.e. moving, turning and being completely relaxed. There are always ways for improving oneself and improving one's way of moving… this is also a personal fight.

On the other hand, the Kime is the technique power.

This power has to be measured and triggered off at the right moment. The practitioner will learn how to master and trigger it off when it is necessary. As for speed, the Kime is not only a question of muscular force but is linked to a series of critical factors as the body's ' lever ', etc. The Kiaï often goes together with the Kime key moments. The Kiaï is the 'scream' made by the karateka to express his power and technique. Moreover, the Kiaï can be found in most sports but its practice is not as obvious as in karate.