Things are not always what they seem. Sometimes, the lessons we learn as the gospel truth, later turn out to be true, but only within a certain context. For example, a simple word will usually have more than one meaning. One of the earliest instances of multiple meanings I can recall is the number 2, which we learn is, “two”, but also sounds like “to”, and “too” too (haha). But that is not not what I meant by the title “one plus one doesn’t always equal two”. Waaay back, about 50 years ago, we seventh graders were all surprised when they started teaching us the “New Math” (precursor to higher mathematics back in the sixties) and first heard about the binary system (so important to computer language today). On the first day, our teacher stated that in some instances, 1 plus 1 didn’t equal 2! We all wondered how could that be? As most adults know, the rules for the binary system are not necessarily the same as the conventional decimal system that kids are familiar with (kids, the binary system only contains 0’s and 1’s, haha). And that was just the first of so many revelations in our later studies of higher mathematics that were ultimately based upon the Arithmetic that was all we youngster knew back then; beginning with 1+1=2.

This idea of different rules and truths is not just limited to the world of mathematics, but is often evident in everyday life, as well as in our karate training. For beginners, I point out that the karate step differs from the normal step we use in walking. As you know, when we execute a basic lunge punch, we take a karate step forward, starting and ending with a zenkutsu-dachi. Most beginners actually take what is mostly a normal step and not a “lunge” at all. A lunging karate step consists of throwing one’s weight forward in a forceful manner and stopping it with the kime of a perfectly timed zenkutsu-dachi. That results in the so-called karate way of “walking. With dutiful repetition over many years, most karateka master this basic karate one-step.

These basic power steps are practiced throughout one’s karate life-time. However, at the brown belt level and above, we begin to introduce a different, though related, system of stepping. Many times, you’ve heard me state that the action of sprinting is not merely “fast walking”. While anyone can demonstrate walking in a step-by-step (pun unintended 🙂 breakdown; it is impossible for for anyone to breakdown the sprinting motion step-by-step (unless you have a sprinting person on video and use stop-action). The reason is that when a person walks, one foot or two feet are always in contact with the ground. When one sprints, it’s one foot or NO feet touching the ground at any instant (in your mind; picture a sprinter in slow motion and try stopping the action at various spots). Though the two actions are related, they are inherently different. And, while one needs to learn how to walk before one can run, these are not the same thing.

In Karate-Do, much of the early instruction (first several years) is intended to accomplish many goals , but primary among these are to: Strengthen the main leg muscles along with other muscles that are rarely used in regular movement…Make tendons and joints more flexible…Increase balance and coordination using core muscles…enhance speed and snap. As a result, many of the kihon drills involving leg movement (especially kicks) are initially parsed into their components and practiced in that fashion. in this way, we can ensure balance and correct execution of each phase. This helps both the student and the instructor. Unfortunately, most of the techniques really exist as full-cycle actions with a phase of intentional imbalance to allow swift imparting of power to the target. Imagine how inaccurate the sprinting motion would look in a step-by-step demonstration; not to mention how the associated forward inertia and momentum would be totally lacking.

I’m not going to try to describe the full-cycle movements and combinations associated with the brown/black belt level kihon that we practice. It is a vast body of combinations/movements/theories that is as great as the basic/intermediate kihon learned to that point. It would also be an extremely boring read and take me many pages to express. It’s best learned through watching your instructors’ movement and your own repeated execution of technique. The simple hope here, is that you have a greater awareness of the different levels of movement in Karate-Do, the underlying similarities; but even more so, the very real differences. When you reach the point where we begin to share this with you, don’t let the difficulty of learning these new techniques frustrate you. Oftentimes, the greatest handicaps one faces in learning the next level of movements are the very basics that have been embedded in one’s mind and body memory during the first few years of diligent training. However, don’t forget all of the good things you picked up in the basic and intermediate techniques…if neglected, these skills can slowly fade away. Ironically, you will still need good basics to learn the upper techniques….much as you need a good understanding of basic Arithmetic in order to be able to comprehend higher mathematics.