Kata workshop, Oct 2011

Two Kata

Keri Yon Ho and Happo Ken

(Four Kicks and Eight Fists)

 

In Keri Yon Ho it took a while to notice that Sensei was stepping into side kicks by bringing his feet together whereas I was entering with a cross step. Having practiced the kata many times before, I lost awareness. Beginner Mind is easy to lose.

In Happo Ken we saw some old things newly. Sensei was breaking the movements down into pieces small enough that I couldn't miss some of them any longer. Such as exactly when to spread our hands in the lead-in. It was interesting, how doing it a new way felt better. Maybe it was just the newness, which prompted awareness, which is necessary for joy, which is to be found in being lost to thought. 

Kata are for practicing precision

and for meditation

 - ~ -