PERFORM OR PRACTICE?

 By Phillip Starr

Do you perform or practice your forms? There's a considerable difference. If you PRACTICE your form you will study it, taste it, pay attention to its rhythms, spirit, and the types of power that are issued. And that's not all of it; there's the breakdown, the “bunkai” that teaches you so many things. You strive to polish every aspect of it, including those that aren't readily noticeable to an observer. The object is to learn from it; to perfect it and in doing so, to strive for self-perfection. You endeavor to carry on the tradition and the lineage from which it is derived. This is real martial art.

To PERFORM your form is to do it so that LOOKS outwardly impressive. Your primary interest is in developing aesthetic appeal, especially in the competition arena. The objective is to look good and take home the trophies, championship cash, or whatever. If one or more movements need to be “adjusted” or changed completely to achieve the desired result, so be it. This is a far, far cry from genuine martial arts.

Unfortunately, more and more wannabe martial artists seek only to PERFORM their form(s) well. It's all about cosmetics. Many of them never consider what they're doing – tossing away many generations of knowledge, development, and tradition. Their forms have no roots, no souls.