Principles vs Techniques.
.
Okinawan karate is an art in which principles are more important than specific techniques. This does not mean that karate does not have techniques. It means that at the root of all techniques are underlying combative principles, and thus all techniques can be adjusted in accordance with those principles.
.
When the Japanese stylized karate in the early part of the 20th century, techniques where given what they believed to be an appropriate label or name. Confusingly, because of this, karate techniques have taken on a literal meaning and combat principles on which they were based have mostly been ignored.
.
By studying an art which is based on principles instead of techniques, the practitioner is able to take his or her art and make it their own. If the principles are understood, the practitioner can take that art into any situation or scenario and learn to apply it.
.
Students must learn to understand the principles as they apply to their individual body type, mindset, and physical attributes. It is also imperative that those principles are then tested in many different scenarios.
.
Today, individuals and inexperienced instructors, jump from one art to the next trying to complete their martial arts training, adding more and more techniques. Because very few of them are teaching complete martial arts methods, based on principles.
.
Too many people do not fully understand the art they practice, or get bored with it before they reach a depth of understanding.
.
Therefore students and instructors of the martial arts, should always be asking themselves, and their teacher, WHY they are doing ‘something’. If you believe that ‘something’ doesn’t work, are you looking at the technique instead of the principle behind it?
.
“If you believe everything I say you will never be a good fighter.” ~ Ip Man (1893-1972) ??