Training Mind
and Body

A beginner student would immediately benefit from a master instructor's knowledge. Even though some students may pursue karate for a short while, they will have an understanding and benefit of the subtleties of basic techniques and movements to enhance their coordination and balance in other activities they may pursue.

It's one thing to be shown how to perform basic karate techniques but another thing to perform them with excellence in the context of balance, speed, leverage and precision. There are subtle details and pitfalls that make the difference between so-so techniques and highly effective and effortless 

execution of high caliber techniques.

A master Instructor has the wisdom to guide a beginner student through effective basics and avoid developing so-so techniques in the new student. The pitfall is, that once a student learns basic techniques without a master's guidance, then it becomes difficult to undue. As the student progresses, the same so-so practice  goes into more advance techniques and then the execution of so called expert level (1st level black belt) becomes somewhat unrefined in execution.

Some of aspects of so-so looking techniques are as follows:

• There's a lack of understanding of posture alignment which reflect as out-of-balance movements. 

• There is a unawareness of proper sequence within the movement that makes the movement appear  labored.

• Too many body parts are in motion. In some cases, the body parts are counter to the direction of movement. A higher caliber technique will appear effortless, smooth and quick -like with apparent power.

• Telegraphic signals from various body locations which not only gives away intention but also slows up execution.

• The "loading up" of technique such as a kick, punch or block is not only telegraphic and creates unnecessary tension but can easily be intercepted by a skillful opponent. This "muscling" a technique could lead to quick exhaustion.

• That speed of technique has a " hurried " look to the execution and not all necessary body parts  are involved. Such as, a punch or block using arm only or a kick with leg only. This even with a shifting of footwork, the technique still looks disconnected. Speed of technique should appear explosive and instantaneous.

As the famous  Bruce Lee said, "It's not how fast your are but how soon you get there that counts". To a master instructor, this statement speaks volumes.