What is Kata

What is kata? It's an athletic  training method at a minimum. One works on balance and agility, develops strength and exercises the development of power. 

Below is an excerpt from an article that appeared at The Shotokan Times which explains kata practice as a movement based learning approach. The full article may be read here.

Before you do a kata, ask yourself what you can learn from the kata.
Manabu Murakami

This quote was published on The Shotokan Times a while ago with the friendly permission of Jeff Christian. So, let us take it seriously and ask: What can we learn from kata? Before we give an answer let us assume that most people (Karate practitioners, too) are average Joe´s rather than top-athletes. They won’t become highly trained experts in utilizing kata because they have daily jobs, families, and other duties. However, they like to train. To be beneficial for them, one must reduce complexity, build focal points, and find a practicable approach to use kata as a learning tool. For me this works best by understanding kata as universal movement principles about how to generate power and to organize one’s body. This leads to more efficient movements and a better utilization of the body. Especially, efficiency cannot be stressed enough. Because it is the foundation for any martial application.[1]

What Kata for Movement means and what it not means

“Kata for movement” does not mean to stand in deep kiba dachi to build up leg muscles. It also does not mean doing kata with maximum kime for developing a strong punch. To become strong, it is better to punch a heavy bag or makiwara. Fighting off air will not create the same results.^[2]

The movement-based approach of kata is a holistic way to train the whole-body movement and the underlying movement principles.^[3] The following quote by Dr. Perry Nickelston expresses that idea very well:

“The goal is not to learn a movement; the goal is to become a mover”^[4]
Dr. Perry Nickelston

Power generation, aligning and connecting your body, structure and how to manipulate it – these elements are key in martial arts training. Kata proves to be an excellent tool for experiencing and developing that in a structured way. From kata can be learnt:

• whole body movement and re-positioning,
• transitional movements,
• initiating movements,
• shifting your center of gravity,
• adjusting your posture,
• connecting your joints,
• harnessing certain muscle groups,
• experiencing different ways of generating power,
• motion economy etc.