Sports Realm

[I:http://sportsrealm.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/AlCase26.jpg]When we consider the best martial arts forms we are speaking of those martial arts kata that result in a the most benefit to the student. To be honest, I usually recommend learning as many kata as possible, then working on the ones that the student prefers, although there can be oddities in this approach. I also hold that one should learn whole arts, first taekwondo, then karate, then kung fu, and so on.

The kebons are good, basic kata taught in both karate styles and taekwondo styles. Though there are three to five of these introductory patterns, I don’t usually count them as forms because they are actually the ABCs of the martial arts.

The next batch of kata to consider would be the Taeguks from Tae kwon do. These are basic moves, a bit more advanced than the kebons, but not as advanced as the Okinawan Pinans (Japanese Heians). Though they take a few moves from the Pinan forms, they serve them up as straight block and counter techniques, no hidden throws or weapons disarms, and no real generation of internal energy.

After the taeguk patterns one should move directly into the Pinan forms from the Shotokan system, the shito ryu system, and other Japanese martial styles. The Pinan kata are actually designed more for weapons defenses and disarms, though not many people know that. The idea here is that one studies the Taeguk patterns for hand to hand combat, then moves into the Pinans for a basic understanding of weapons disarms, and the beginnings of chi building.

After the Pinans one should learn the three forms found in the Pan Gai Noon, which are the base forms from Uechi ryu Karate, and which are actually three extremely intense gung fu forms. These three patterns are sanchin, seisan, and sanseirui, though the last one is often thought of as more of a demonstration form. These three unique kata are specifically designed to build the intrinsic energy known as chi or ki.

The Sanchin form teaches a student to fasten the body/motor to the ground. There are not a lot of moves in it, but the moves are excellent for teaching one to use hard energy in self defense moves.

Sanchin may be the power form, but seisan is the technique kata. This form takes the power of sanchin and transfigures it into (probably) 13 specific self defense moves. These are all based on one specific move called wa uke, which is a circle block with a flesh tearing grab on the end.

So, Kebons to Taeguk to Pinans to Sanchin and seisan; taekwondo to karate to kung fu. This sequencing of martial arts forms provides the student with the absolute best and most complete arrangement of classical training possible. Other forms can and should be learned, but the heart of the art is really in this arrangement of art.

Find outthe correct way to sequence all the Martial Arts kata with the Evolution of Art course at Monster Martial Arts. Mouse to Monster Martial Arts. A1