Yes, why Kata? Good question, really! I mean why sport Karate anyway? It’s not mainstream, isn’t really listed as “modern” or “cool” anymore and if you’re not training “UFC bro” or a pro boxer, Muay Thai or BJJ guru you’re looked upon as not worth the salt. See, from my experience (and I do have my fair share of it) most people saying that are couch potatoes, or washed-out athletes who are insecure about themselves.
I myself just can’t believe why I even let someone who isn’t even halfway seriously training anything anyway give me a lecture about it. I mean you don’t even have to be a martial artist or pro. If You are a recreational Volleyball player training a couple of times a week I’ll listen because I’m sure that You’ll at least tell me to do what makes me happy, and that’s because You understand.
A “diagnosis”
Here’s a little about me. I’ve been a competitor myself in some combat sports, done my share of tournaments, and have been training in martial arts for the last two decades. I’ve seen guys that are absolute studs (the least to say) to guys not being quite suited for physical activity. I’ve seen the studs give up because there’s no money in it, because “if they can’t be the best at it it’s not worth doing it”. And I’ve seen the totally untalented guys doing it recreationally 2,3 times a week be the happiest many times. Those people didn’t really become studs but they became athletes, athletic in terms of ability. Some of them in very nice shape, and CONFIDENT!
Confidence has nothing to do with level
I’ve seen top competitors break, literally! I’ve seen them be insecure and change for the worse. It’s because they just couldn’t manage their expectations. “How good do I need to be, did I really beat this guy, am I a fraud, this guy beat me so I’m not really that good, I should’ve won this title or that title by now, do I really want to train that much, do I then deserve to win” etc., etc., etc.
If You’re a competitor STOP THINKING THAT WAY and start to enjoy the opportunity! Even if You have the best talent, work ethic, surroundings and opportunity “success” (let’s call it that) is not guaranteed.
So why are the recreationalists many times the happy, situated ones? It’s because they’re doing it for fun and progress. It’s almost impossible not to progress each day like that, unless You turn “idiot mode” again.
So why Kata again?
Because as we age, and turn less to competition or aren’t really that much into sparring anymore that doesn’t mean we can’t train effectively anymore. There’s so much more stuff in Karate you can do or better said so much more to Karate than that. I’ve seen those untalented become guys in their mid-30s, 40s and even 50s moving amazingly, carrying themselves with good confidence and strong, looking good and being full of energy. Of course they’re not delusional and no one of them thinks he can beat up a UFC champion or fight of five guys. But it’s almost impossible not to see how that impacts their whole lives.
Do what makes You happy, and don’t give a damn about what others say. Take it from someone who took both routes that lost and found himself again, and be Yourself.
Even if it’s not martial arts as I said, whether it’s athletics, soccer or cricket, pick Your fun and enjoy it.
There many more benefits to Katas that I will write about in the articles coming up.
Enjoy Your training.
Kristijan