San Kata Vid
As some of you might know, I've been learning San Kata. So I spent a little time this morning consulting "youtube-sensei" and came across this video.
These guys seem pretty crisp. I think tori is using strength here and there, but overall it seems to be good demo. Any comments/concerns on the demo would be cool to hear.
Yeah, this Shaun Hoddy guy is about all I could find on YouTube of the higher kata, so it's about all we have to look at that's free! There's a DVD of Nick and Greg on san kata that's darn good and worth buying, though, if you get the chance. With these, I can spot some minor differences between them and the way I was taught (but then what I've been taught has also evolved over the years!)
Overall, I personally don't think they're a bad reference just to help us remember how things go, etc, but of course, it's always best to practice "under the guidance of a licensed professional" as the saying goes to make sure we're on track (which I'm sure you know).
But I, too, would like other's opinions ... ?
I've come to understand that the "version" you are taught depends on the "licensed professional" you consult. Everyone puts their subtle touches/refinements on individual techiniques to suite their body mechanics. Which is acceptable in my eyes, because kata is about principle and technique.
It's not the sharpest demo, but here's Gails nidan demo (she couldn't shikko yet due to injury) that she did about 4 months after her back surgery. (Mine is up too, but hers is aesthetically tons better than mine)
pretty crisp. I think tori is using strength here and there, but overall it seems to be good demo
Hoddy shows us a nice demo -- the application here is representitive of the JAA style -- tori looks a little different because of two factors 1- they train thier uke to be more resistive so tori must do more pronounced kuzushi and 2- they work more often with a proactive timing (sen) -- more offensive-- less reactive-- more like judo competition style
Gail's sankata is quite nice too -- much closer in detail to what has been the prefered style from Houston for san kata--less resistive and more contiuously commited uke = tori giving lighter application with more reactive timing -- nice to compare and contrast with Hoddy's--
Both systems have coherent logic, both make sense within their own frame of reference--useful lessons to be gleaned on all sides here
Nice demo, especially considering back surgery.
I dug up my old demo. I am not a kata man by any stretch.
Thanks for posting your demo Eric. I'm trying to look at and find as much material as possible.
Nice one eric-- sweet work -- very close the style/interpretation we do
Funny, I pretty much taught myself from that first video from you tube! Jeff Duncan and I also passed notes back and forth as we were both approaching demos around the same time.
The one small but interesting change I made, is I turn to make the next attack more efficient for the uke. In some versions they walk all the way around awkwardly.
Eric Pearson wrote:The one small but interesting change I made, is I turn to make the next attack more efficient for the uke. In some versions they walk all the way around awkwardly.
Yeah, I've never been straight on that. In some cases, I understood that uke was always supposed to stay on one side of joseki (hence all the walking around) but then some katas they say to attack from where you are. I dunno..
I have never gotten into the joseki/orientation to seniors element of kata. I have always though of kata as a martial exercise, not a dance for seniors. The improved efficiency improves the performance as far as I am concerned.