Dear Students,

As traditional Japanese karate kata is linked to the ancestral kata of Okinawan karate — which, in turn, traces its origins back to southern-based quanfa, before the modern emergence of “styles” — it stands to reason that what applied to the fundamental meaning of those progenitor forms also applies to today’s practices. Having made a study of such history and conceptual practices, author & researcher, Patrick McCarthy, Hanshi 8th degree black belt, has been successful unravelling much of the ambiguity that shrouded the inner-workings of Kata. This has resulted in a much clearer understanding of kata and the original art.

McCarthy's old-school two-person practices are based upon the most realistic contextual premise imaginable — those original empty-handed and one-on-one acts of physical violence, which habitually plagued the culture in which this art evolved. The groundbreaking results of his study have saved instructors the time and trouble of wandering through an endless minefield of myth and mysticism, and the quagmire of half-truths and self-serving propaganda that so frequently impede the learning process. His old-school two-person drills leave no room for the kind of ambiguity exampled elsewhere in modern/traditional karate; i.e., the kind of ambiguity which has given kata, “a bad name."

Abstract:
Rather than haphazardly teach "fighting technique," or kata, and then show the application practices, after the fact, McCarthy Sensei first introduces the learner to the habitual acts of physical violence [HAPV]---historically representing the original contextual premise on which prescribed template application concepts were first developed---through two-person drills. After gaining a reasonable level of competency [against aggressive resistance] KU learners are taught how to rehearse the prescribed application modules by themselves --- culminating the lessons learned. By linking together the individual modules into unique geometrical configurations something greater than the sum total of its individual parts appear - kata. McCarthy Sensei also explains how, practiced by themselves, kata also serve as creative mechanisms through which to express individual prowess while strengthening one's overall mental, physical and holistic conditioning.

Without question, these old-school practices represent a pathway through which to improve your understanding of karate.

If you always knew that karate offered more than what you were being taught, and are willing to look outside your peer group, this seminar will definitely appeal to you. If you're looking for progressive mentorship, while not losing any of the value of tradition, attending McCarthy Sensei's seminar might be just what you need.

When: Aug 13th to 15th, 2010

Admission price is $50 for Friday night only, $80 for Sat or Sun, and $150 for Sat and Sun, or $175 for all three.