In these days of knock 'em silly MMA fighting, many people miss out on the secret of Classical Karate Forms. And, not to discriminate, on the secrets of Gung Fu patterns, and Kenpo and other arts. To be sure, I find nothing wrong with good and effective self defense, as offered by a regimen in MMA training methods, but I think Martial knowledge is of more value in the end.
Let's consider the notion of how to peg the stance. You won't find much information discussed concerning this practice, but it leads to a coordinated body, harder strikes, and a rather interesting and useful waveform of energy through the body. There are several places in the classical Kata which illustrate this technique.
Rudimentary Pegging of the Stance occurs in Pinan Three, also called Heian Three in the Japanese. This is nothing more than the first move, where one places his feet together, leans forward, and blocks. There is a balance here, and an introduction to running energy down the legs and into the ground.
The discipline of this concept evolves slowly in classical Karate, and in other arts. In Pinan Five (Heian Five), one leaps through the air and lands in a cross legged stance (Kosa Dachi). In this move one is deliberately shooting weight into the ground, and, therefore, getting a return of energy from the earth.
This movement occurs again, but with a quick forward step into a cross legged stance, in Bot sai (Passai). This simple step is forward motion brought to a sudden halt by sending energy through the stance and into the ground. The forward motion, when stopped in this manner, actually sends a wave of energy (chi or ki) up the body and into the blocking arms.
The last example of the principle of pegging is found in the kata Um Be (Empi). This time the concept consists of stepping forward, in a longer step and from a twisted stance, and sinking the weight into the ground. In this Kata the movement is perfect for kumite, and therefore for street fighting.
There are other examples of this pegging concept throughout the martial disciplines, but the ones I have given here provide a distinct and useful sequence for learning. And, the truth of the matter is that one should learn to sink the weight in all kinds of stances. This is quite important if one wishes to master the True Martial Art.
To conclude, let me again say that I have no bone to pick with the MMA fighting methods. However, most people are into the art for more than just being able to beat somebody to a pulp. Indeed, discovering and manipulating the intrinsic energies of the body, and learning other such secrets through classical Karate Kata, gives a peace of mind that is experienced through no other martial way in the world.
Let's consider the notion of how to peg the stance. You won't find much information discussed concerning this practice, but it leads to a coordinated body, harder strikes, and a rather interesting and useful waveform of energy through the body. There are several places in the classical Kata which illustrate this technique.
Rudimentary Pegging of the Stance occurs in Pinan Three, also called Heian Three in the Japanese. This is nothing more than the first move, where one places his feet together, leans forward, and blocks. There is a balance here, and an introduction to running energy down the legs and into the ground.
The discipline of this concept evolves slowly in classical Karate, and in other arts. In Pinan Five (Heian Five), one leaps through the air and lands in a cross legged stance (Kosa Dachi). In this move one is deliberately shooting weight into the ground, and, therefore, getting a return of energy from the earth.
This movement occurs again, but with a quick forward step into a cross legged stance, in Bot sai (Passai). This simple step is forward motion brought to a sudden halt by sending energy through the stance and into the ground. The forward motion, when stopped in this manner, actually sends a wave of energy (chi or ki) up the body and into the blocking arms.
The last example of the principle of pegging is found in the kata Um Be (Empi). This time the concept consists of stepping forward, in a longer step and from a twisted stance, and sinking the weight into the ground. In this Kata the movement is perfect for kumite, and therefore for street fighting.
There are other examples of this pegging concept throughout the martial disciplines, but the ones I have given here provide a distinct and useful sequence for learning. And, the truth of the matter is that one should learn to sink the weight in all kinds of stances. This is quite important if one wishes to master the True Martial Art.
To conclude, let me again say that I have no bone to pick with the MMA fighting methods. However, most people are into the art for more than just being able to beat somebody to a pulp. Indeed, discovering and manipulating the intrinsic energies of the body, and learning other such secrets through classical Karate Kata, gives a peace of mind that is experienced through no other martial way in the world.
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