Over the past several years, I’ve written articles discussing various sides of martial arts training.  In my article entitled, “Commercialism vs. Traditionalism,” I talked about a conversation a good friend of mine and I had.  My friend is a respected commercial karate school owner and has battled with whether to teach kata or not too, and at what point.

Jeff Cobb, my student in Anniston, Alabama, suggested I write an article and talk specifically about the importance of kata.  In fairness, I must tell you I didn’t appreciate the importance of kata for nearly twenty years of my total forty-eight of studies and training.  I hope this article will serve to instill both an understanding and desire to make personal improvements where needed, as well as to increase the level of understanding for your students.

For many practitioners, training in kata is a must.  Yet how many of us really understand the true reason for such studies.  There are students, and their senseis alike, who don’t like learning or practicing kata; they’d rather put on the gloves and spar.  During the annual American Karate System summer camp in July of 2007, one young man testing for his 4th Dan couldn’t even explain why kata was important; other than he had to do them in order to test.

I have found introducing an understanding (the bunkai)  [ see bottom of newsletter for definition ]  of the movements of a form early in the learning process facilitates the students understanding of what he’s doing and why.  During the testing of the young man I mentioned above, I performed a portion of a black belt kata and ask him if he could explain what the movements meant.  He had no clue.  Then I got some assistants to attack me in a prearranged manner and did the form again as I was being attacked, thus allowing the student to see how each of the movements applied as I defended myself.

Afterwards, I ask the student if he understood the kata better; he of course did.  The sad part of this explanation is how long this person had been training without a true understanding or appreciation of why we practice kata.  He was testing for his 4th degree black belt and was lacking in both understanding and comprehension in this most important area.  He had been training for at least twelve years, and had himself been teaching others for more than nine of those.  How many black belts do you know who fit this same scenario?

My reason for explaining this should be clear.  We have many people who wear black belts and are good instructors for the most part.  Yet when it comes to kata, they don’t like teaching it, let alone practicing it.  What message does this send to their students?  How can we, as sensei, do a better job of instilling the importance of kata in our students early on?  These questions need answering if we hope to develop students with well-rounded abilities and knowledge.

Part of the problem is many of us were taught by instructors who themselves didn’t understand why they were taught kata; other than they had to in order to earn their rank.  Other schools involved in a purely competitive mode, teach kata for use during tournaments.  They develop some very accomplished students whose acrobatic prowess should be applauded.  However, they also lack the necessary understanding and knowledge of what kata is truly about, and how they serve as an excellent training aid.  So how should we proceed to fix this problem?

As I mentioned earlier, I instruct students in the bunkai of a kata as I begin teaching it to them.  I explain [that] the execution of a form is practicing defensive and offensive movements against imaginary opponents.  When you watch a good black belt perform a kata well, you can almost see them blocking and countering their imaginary attackers.  They make the kata come alive in our minds.  As students practice their forms, I continue to ask them to explain what they’re doing.  This challenges them to think and analyze the application of the particular form and its respective movements.

In O’Sensei’s autobiography, “Karate-do, my way of life,” he talks about how the practice of kata helped him change from a sickly boy into a healthy young man.  He also makes it clear his sensei had him practice the same kata over and over; never receiving any explanation or praise.   Eventually, he was taught the next kata.  He assumed [that] when this happened, his sensei was satisfied he was performing the old kata at the appropriate level.

Over my several decades of training, I have found practicing kata to be fulfilling for several reasons.  First is the ability to train alone.  When you practice kata properly, it provides for both aerobic and anaerobic exercise.  You work on the offensive and defensive techniques and tactics that will allow you to protect yourself.  Secondly, when you have learned a kata properly and completed enough repetitions, the kata becomes part of you.  In the event you are attacked, the movements you’ve learned will immediately respond; as they have become conditioned reflexes.  Lastly, anyone who practices kata must also incorporate the development of their knowledge as to what each movement represents.  To the Japanese and Okinawan practitioners, this is referred to as Bunkai.  The true student of the martial arts cannot hope to acquire any fulfillment in their training if they can’t come to an understanding of what the movements of their respective kata represent.  The more advanced the student, the more advanced the explanation.

My senior student and long time friend, Dr. Robert Debelak, wrote an article about kata that was published in the September 2006 issue of the AKS newsletter.  In his article, he used the analogy of a tea bag to describe how he saw kata.

"Kata is like a tea bag.  If you try to taste it by itself, the flavor is strong, overwhelming, and hard to swallow.  You probably won’t want to try it more than once.  Yet, unpacking kata is like putting that tea bag in a cup of hot water.  Give it a little time, and the effect of the flavor is more enjoyable!"

This simple explanation helps to put the practice of kata into perspective.  Learning and practicing forms is not something one takes to overnight.  However, with time and patience, an understanding and appreciation for kata will evolve.  With that evolution will also come a love and respect for kata that will be conveyed to your students.

If this process were to be followed, we would eventually have dojos full of practitioners who could both execute and explain the why's and wherefore's of the forms they’d learned.  Imagine the quality of black belts we’d have then.  It’s important [that] all of us who wear black belts, and teach aspiring students about our styles, do a better job of ensuring they have a solid understanding and knowledge of their kata.

This article is the second of a four-part series that covers a paper I first wrote for Ernie as part of my 6th Dan requirements.

In March 1990, I submitted a paper to Mr. Lieb (our AKS founder and chief instructor) in partial fulfillment of my sixth degree black belt requirements.  The points I made at that time are still relevant today.  My friend and mentor suggested I update and share the paper with the American Karate System’s membership, as well as other true students of the arts.  I hope the thoughts and reflections that follow will have a positive impact on your personal perspective regarding the martial arts, and your specific studies in karate.

1. March, 2008 - Introduction  /  In The Beginning (see Punchline Archives)
2. June, 2008 - Realization of Potential  /  Continuing to Learn
3. September 2008 - Tournaments  /  Commercialism vs Traditionalism
4. December, 2008 - Final Thoughts  /  Recommendations  /  In Memoriam

I have always thought that anyone who steps onto a gym floor with their brand new gi and stiff-as-a-board white belt aspires to someday be a Black Belt.  And during that first class they are not sure of the how they will climb the ranks, but that is their aspiration.  And now it begins, proper belt tying, making a correct fist and learning left from right, the journey has commenced.

I can remember my first classes, standing in the corner of the gym in awe of the grace and power of the high ranks.  They were fast, strong and precise in all that they did; I was hoping for divine intervention so as not to embarrass myself, when in their company.  Then, when Mr. Lieb walked onto the floor order and discipline swept through the gym, students quickly lined up, and training began.

Through the years, I learned the AKS techniques and forms that mesmerized me in my early days.  Mr. Lieb and the other Black Belts patiently taught me requirements, self-defense and katas, along with so much more.  I freely admit that I was not always the most apt student; I had the desire, but struggled with some of the physical requirements.  As I tell my students now, “I had to work twice as hard to be half as good.”  And as I worked diligently to master my requirements, the realization began to inch in that someday I might be a Black Belt.

In June of 1974, Mr. Lieb told me I would be testing for First Dan in August.  I was shocked.  It had only been three years, and I didn’t see myself in the company of the AKS Black Belts that had gone before me.  After several days of soul searching and personal martial arts inventory, I went to his home.  I explained that I felt I was not ready to test, and I was no where near the proficiency of the esteemed Black Belts that had gone before me.  He listened patiently, would nod when it seemed appropriate, and ended the discussion with:

“Your test is the 16th of August, it is up to you to be ready.”

At the time I had two choices, I could quit or I could do my best.  Though I did consider it, I didn’t quit.  I sought out some of the higher ranks to train me outside of class and worked diligently to do my best for my test.  The most important change I made was to no longer worry about if I was good enough, just to train and do the best I could do.

It was during this time that I had an epiphany; my Black Belt test was not about comparing myself to others, but about commitment.  After all, passing or failing would not be up to me, it would be up to Mr. Lieb and the Black Belts reviewing me.  I realized much later that Mr. Lieb already knew this; and he also knew at some point I would learn the lesson too.

Achieving your Black Belt is a very personal accomplishment.  The American Karate System has requirements and standards that all Black Belt candidates must meet, but each person is going to meet them to the best of their personal ability.  Each person has natural gifts as well as hurdles; we all have different builds, different strengths and life experiences, these all factor into your demonstration of your martial arts skills.  The latitude that allows a student to showcase their strengths and improve their limitations is a cornerstone of the American Karate System.

Almost every Black Belt I have known has some obstacle to overcome to achieve his rank.  One of our Black Belts is legally blind; I know another student that tested after having two replacement knee operations and a replacement hip operation.  Every Black Belt I know has a story to tell about some difficulty they had to surmount in order to achieve their Black Belt. While the difficulties are diverse, the common thread in achievement is commitment.

Commitment to the American Karate System, commitment to supporting the Instructors and students and commitment to self-improvement is the quality of our AKS Black Belts.

Dave Thomas
8th Dan
Asst Chief Instructor

Attention all A.K.S. Black Belts!  Do you have a personal story to relate with regards to achieving your first black belt?  If so, we'd love for you to share this experience.  Please send your story to ljwerner@mail.com.  And if you like, I can keep your name anonymous.  Your story may just help someone get through their doubts about obtaining that first black belt!

Congratulations to all students who have been promoted this past quarter, and best wishes in your continued training.
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Attention Instructors, if you have students who have been promoted, please send this information so that we may acknowledge their accomplishments.

TOURNAMENT NEWS....

Toledo, Ohio April 13, 2008
Tournament Results

Student	Rank	Forms	Fighting
Joe Mollenkopf	Brown	2nd/3rd
Eric Johnson	Green	3rd	2nd
Jared Jablonski	Green	3rd	2nd
Madison Muir	Green	4th	4th
Andrew Blood	Yellow	1st	5th
Samuel Blood	Yellow	2nd	3rd
Marvin Gardner	Yellow	1st	2nd
Nicole Reid	Yellow	3rd	4th
Kendra Dempster-Walsh	Yellow	2nd	4th
Blake Dickerson	White	4th	3rd
Grant Eckhart	White	4th	2nd
Connor Mollen	White	4th	4th
Andre Upton-Seales	White	3rd	1st
Taylour Upton	White	5th	1st

SPECIAL MENTION:

Joe Mollenkopf's 2nd place finish was in an open division where he performed a tonfa form that he created.

The following participants won awards competing against higher ranks:

>> Blake Dickerson
>> Grant Eckhart
>> Jared Jablonski
>> Eric Johnson
>> Connor Mollen
>> Madison Muir
>> Andre Upton-Seales
>> Taylour Upton

Congratulations West Toledo Karate Club on a job WELL DONE!!

In recognition of his untiring commitment to the martial arts community and his superlative teaching effectiveness, Major (USAF ret) Michael A. Sullenger AKS Chief Instructor, 9th Dan has been nominated for induction into the Master’s Hall of Fame.

It is both an honor and privilege to announce this nomination on behalf of our chief instructor.  The American Karate system has many fine teachers and competitors, each who have made distinct con-tributions to the support and furtherance of the art.  In particular, we are able at this time to recognize one of our own for his leadership, teaching ability, and friendship.  Thus, the following is more than just a stroll down memory lane – rather, I hope to share with you a brief perspective of some experiences with my friend and teacher.

I first met Mike in 1980 while stationed in Northern Germany.  Barely at my new assignment, our first meeting wasn’t laced with the usual formalities.  He had a pool cue in hand and was preparing to take a shot; the captain (Mike) looked up at me and simply said, “I understand you train in the martial arts.  I have class tomorrow at 10:00 am.  See you there.”  That meeting began a long and happy friendship; one that I am proud of.

Mike’s strong suit is a consistent blend of a genuine interest in people coupled with the pursuit of excel-lence.  When we trained, we trained.  There are countless hours of sweat and pain – but constant en-couragement to excel.  Mike’s honesty has a way of bursting the illusions of ego and pride without damaging the spirit.  He knows when to compliment and when to challenge students to aspire to greater performance in their training.

Mike knew all too well the lessons learned from the school of hard knocks.  He had been on the brunt end of politically-charged settings in tournaments, but the bad shakes he was dealt did not deter him; he rather found ways to overcome.  His military involvement saw him move every few years, and with that, changing instructors.  As time would have it, he had to learn and relearn forms required from each new system.  Many would have given up; Mike rather demonstrated a fortitude that matched the challenge.  While cumbersome, the outcome was greater exposure to more arts and ways of training.

From a learner’s perspective, Mike required more from his students than the average bear.  Where one school might train on one form for promotion, his AKS students had to learn two for every level of rank.  If 25 one-steps were required, he required 50+.  Mike’s commitment as a teacher is to help his students become the best they can be.  To do that, one is pushed to determine limits.  Refinement is in order, but the underlying goal is the discovery and polishing of character.  He reminds his students it is better to be an outstanding brown belt than an average or poor black belt.

A guiding principle Mike instills is that an AKS student should strive to excel no matter what the circum-stance.  If one is in tournament competition, know the rules and fight with honor; give it your best and learn.  If on the streets, adapt and use the most effective technique in the defense of God, country, life and loved ones.  While overseas, I recall students from German, Turkish, Dutch, British, and American backgrounds all held him in high regard.  His experience as a law enforcement officer provided him a tempered, no-nonsense perspective.  His down to earth approach to self-defense bridged the language and style gap, quickly befriending him to many.  It did not take long for folks to see the effectiveness of his way of doing things.  His willingness to learn the languages of others helped make lasting friendships as well.

Mike is a pioneer for the AKS.  He has not been afforded the luxury of near proximity to AKS schools.  Rather, Mike’s travels took him to several countries where he spread the AKS.  When he left Germany in 1981, he trusted me to keep the school the running until my departing in 1982.  Returning in 1984, I re-opened the school.  The art spread to German counterparts as well, in large part due to the foundation Mike had laid during his time in Europe.

Many know of Mike’s keen ability to perform kata; few know of his competition career at home and abroad.  Cat 1 is currently required for promotion to AKS 1st Dan.  This kata was created by Mike.  It is one of the most unique and one of the most demanding forms I have trained on in 30+ years.  In the mid 1980’s I watched him perform Cat 1 in master’s division competition.  His abilities shone that day as they do now.  I learned that form and showed Mike thinking he’d be quite proud!  He was – but did he ever spruce up the rough spots!  There was no "just learning" a kata – he burned that one into my quads!

Mike modeled an unwavering commitment to his instructor, Mr. Ernest Lieb.  Beyond technical prowess, Mike is interested in people – with regard to his instructor, he worked to reunite Mr. Lieb with his family whom he had not seen in over 30 years.  Mike is that way for anyone.  If it’s a keen point about kata, or a better way to kick, he has an answer and is excited to exchange ideas.  When folks have a personal question unrelated to the martial arts, he listens and responds.  He is also big enough to say when he does not have an answer and knows who to refer people to.

These are the traits of a good leader.  Personal commitment translates into the ability to model for others the stamina and character they need to excel.  Both on and off the mat, personal integrity and resourcefulness matter more than most realize.

We are fortunate to the have the leaders we do today in the AKS, and we are particularly blessed Mike is of that group at the helm.  With a view to the future, he seeks to codify AKS standards in written form.  Present benefit will launch a future trajectory where subsequent generations of AKS students can look back to a solid foundation we all hold in common.

Our culture evinces the fast-food mentality where one buzzes in, orders what they want, has it their way, and they depart forgetting the experience.  They relish only the fact they had some personal itch scratched.  But life is more than looking at what we get – it’s about the lasting impression we can make on others.  It’s about how we help make other’s lives a little better.  The fruit of those kinds of relationships take a long time to cultivate.  For Mike, a legacy endures in the lives of those he has taught.  His tenure in the martial arts is a long and bright career, and it is fitting the larger martial art community seeks to recognize his contributions.  I know this means a great deal to him.  Like all of us though, it means the most when friends are dear and they stand behind him.  Thus, we do not forget – rather, Mike, we applaud your achievement, and humbly say, “thank you” for what you have given to us.

The Masters Hall of Fame induction ceremonies honoring Mike Sullenger, 9th Dan and Chief Instructor of the American Karate System, will take place at the Anaheim Hilton in Riverside, California, on August 16th, 2008. The guest speaker for the event is Bill Wallace.

Roy Almanza, 2nd Dan A.K.S., will accompany Mr. Sullenger to this honorable event.  Mr. Almanza will be charged with getting some great pictures for subsequent news letters.

The Invitation

Daniel Hect
CEO
Masters Hall of Fame
www.MastersHallofFame.com


Recognition Announcement

Press Release

Please join the rest of the A.K.S. family in congratulating Mr. Sullenger for all his accomplishments.  And, most of all, for the awesome responsibilities he inherited, and accepted, as the Chief Instructor of the American Karate System!

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2008 Toledo, Ohio Seminar

On May 3rd, 2008, Toledo AKS sponsored a 6 hour seminar.  Invited participants included all AKS members and one outside school from Toledo.  Turnout was good.  We had approximately 30 participants; with AKS members from Toledo, Muskegon, Michigan, and West Virginia in attendance.

Activities from 12pm-3pm included:

     ** Self defense taught by our Chief Instructor Mr. Mike Sullenger
     ** Choking techniques and application taught by Mr. Tony Zimkowski
     ** Jujitsu / grappling submissions taught by Mr.Steve Gfell

Activities from 3pm-6pm included:

     ** Review of AKS requirements (basic and advanced) taught by Mr. Fred Reinecke and Mr. Dave Thomas
     ** Weapons training (escrima) taught by Mr. Tom Twining

All participants greatly benefitted from the time and effort put forth by the guest instructors.

Many thanks to those individuals and the attendees for an afternoon of sweat, strangulation, and submissions that we will all remember.

Rand Palmer
5th Dan
AKS / Toledo, Ohio

Pease browse the event photos that were taken by Andrew J. Eckhart, 2nd Dan AKS Toledo.

Album 4128 Album 4129 Album 4130

Thank you, Andrew, for all the great shots and for providing a place where we can go to veiw them.

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2008 A.K.S. SUMMER CAMP
July 18, 19, 20th, 2008

Hello AKS members and friends,

This year's AKS Summer Camp will be held on the third weekend of July (18, 19, & 20).  The agenda will be available soon and posted on the "Events" page of the AKS web site.

This will be the same weekend that Muskegon will be holding their Bike Fest.  Last year was the first year for this event.  The response was overwhelming.  It is to be expected this year's event will be even bigger.  That means for those of you who prefer to stay in a motel or hotel you need to make your reservations ASAP.  For those of you who would like assistance with housing with AKS members residing in the area, we need to take a hard look at what is available and with whom.  For those of you who live in the Muskegon area please touch base with Mr. Thomas or Mr. Reinecke if you have space and are willing to make it available.

I've attached a great article that really puts the importance of kata into perspective.  For those who attend the summer camp we will be focusing on kata and its importance.

This article will help to prepare your understanding:  "Kata - Why Bother"

Looking forward to another successful A.K.S. Summer Camp.

Mike Sullenger 9th Dan
A.K.S. Chief Instructor

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Beware Internet Scam

Several months ago, I was contacted by a person whose 18 year-old daughter would be visiting friends in the Muskegon area for the summer.  They said they wanted her to take karate lessons at my class and wanted to know class fees and the cost of a uniform.  Supposedly, they were from Singapore and had gotten my name from the AKS website.

The early letters were warm and friendly and said they were sure, because I was a martial artist, that I would be someone they could trust.  I wrote back and told them that for their daughter’s lessons it would be $150 for three months training, a uniform, requirement booklet and patches for her uniform.  I also requested the name of the host family so I would have a local contact.  (I never got a local name).

They wrote back and said that the check was in the mail and there would be additional instructions.

A week later, a very official looking money order arrived for $2,000.  I immediately wrote back and said there must have been some mistake.  They responded that I should cash the check and forward $1,500 to a man in England who was making arrangements for their daughter’s flight to America.

I am sure by now, you have figured out, as I did, that it was a new spin on an Internet scam to defraud me out of money.  I again insisted on local contacts and told them that my bank maintained the check was fraudulent.  I never heard back from them again.

The point is, if you receive an e-mail about a foreign visitor training with you, use due caution or it could be an expensive lesson.

Dave Thomas

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2008 Membership

A.K.S. membership dues for 2008 are being accepted.  Please send your application form and check to:

The American Karate System
International Headquarters
3871 Highgate Road
Muskegon, Michigan 49441

See the "Calendar of Events" page on our website for more information.

You may download a form to fill out and mail in with your payment:

1. Membership Form - Microsoft Word Document 2. Membership Form - Adobe PDF Document

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PLEASE VISIT OUR "A.K.S. MESSAGE BOARD" at

http://americankarate.proboards12.com

. . . . there is a link to this page on the A.K.S. 'Home' page.

If you are interested in becoming a "Moderator,"
please contact  David Eric Thomas

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Bunkai (??, Bunkai?), literally meaning "analysis" or "disassembly", is a term used in Japanese martial arts referring to the application of fighting techniques extracted from the moves of a "form" (kata).

Bunkai is usually performed with a partner or a group of partners which execute predefined attacks, and the student performing the kata responds with defenses, counterattacks, or other actions, based on a part of the kata. This allows the student in the middle to understand what the movements in kata are meant to accomplish. It may also illustrate how to improve technique by adjusting distances, time moves properly, and adapt a technique depending on the size of an opponent. Some kata have another layer of application that is taught using an Oyo Bunkai.[citation needed] Different practitioners will learn or discover alternative applications, but the bunkai, like the kata, varies based on the style and the teacher.

A single kata may be broken into anywhere from a few to a few dozen applications, and the same sequence of kata moves may sometimes be interpreted in different ways resulting in several bunkai. Some martial arts require students to perform bunkai for promotion.

Bunkai can be obvious or elusive depending on the technique in question, the moves preceding and following it, and the individual practitioner. There are usually many stages of depth of comprehension of bunkai only reached through the passage of time. The terms toridai and himitsu are used to refer to techniques not readily seen to the casual observer and hidden techniques within kata.[citation needed] For example, in Goju-ryu karate, two-man kata training is used to reinforce bunkai and correct technique.[citation needed] If techniques in the kata are not performed correctly they will not be effective in two man training.

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