To be described as “effective”, a fighting art, system or style would have to include the "same essential principles" that define it as being effective on this planet. The source of power, application speeds, body mechanics and mental stimulants are all essential factors to be considered and compared.
Assuming that we are built as humans we should only be able to do what humans do, no more no less. We all have to obey the same laws and principles that have governed movement for millions of years. When taking into consideration the differences in body types the principles and effects are translated in different ways but never the less they are the same principles.
Assuming we understand how to interpret those principles e.g., walk, run, kick, strike, stop, jump, throw, catch, evade, block or parry in an effective way, we should be able to make the most of them in relation to fighting, combat or self defence. With economic use without embellishment of these attributes we should be able to determine what is effective and what is not. We can also use trial and error to observe results and not mistake affect with effect. An interpretation of a dynamic principle without effort and effect is just an affect or an effortless prescribed movement.
The practice of prescribed movement for affect is often meaningless and fruitless, imitating the actions required for an effect is not sufficient in most cases. Weights, makawara, bag, exercises and a partner will give more accurate conclusions for application method success or failure.
I see our proficiency as being determined by firstly defining and then refining within the limits of our physical constraints, our ability to interpret the governing laws and principles. We have to fully understand and utilise our weaknesses as well as our strong points, we must also recognise very quickly those of others. We can’t afford to follow patterns of movements and expect conclusive results without fully understanding what the implications of the movements are in relation to an objective.
As with all things our mind is our main restraint, knowledge alone does not always reflect ability and visa versa. No one system or style has all the answers, however they should all have to negotiate the same problems and barriers that the principles inflict apon us in there varying degrees. It's the way in which the principles are implemented toward a successful objective that determine the effectiveness of any style or system.
A compromise of “what, how, when and ability” will determine capability more, with trial and error being the realistic criteria for success or failure. Optimum ratio's of power, speed, mechanical advantage and attitude with an impression of a needed response are key contributing factors of success or failure. Weight, size, flexibility, mobility and stability are also essential contributing factors.
There is no secret, other than the availability of knowledge of methods required to produce an effect or prevent one. All natural movements or inherent patterns of movement have evolved over millions of years. The methods we use to improve or hone these movements are universal and apply to everybody. However because we are all build slightly differently the results aren't mandatory, they are unique.
Observations of the extreme abilities within human movement good or bad would conclude that all movements are not universal but the principles are. We cannot realistically expect to excel in all physical or mental considerations but we can take full advantage of them as individuals in varying degrees.
| Breathing is an important part of every function we undertake. It is the fuel of life.
I think the only time you would not want to make a sound, is if you were trying to shroud your intent or presence or use sounds to distract or startle someone.
The breath alone makes no contribution other than to fuel our activates. However when you breath out you may 'feel' harder or heavier. When you breath in you may feel softer or lighter ??. Inhalation and exhalation are important aspects of certain tasks, the task dictates the serverity of the procedure, the mind can attribute an emotional response to the process of breathing. The breath is not the objective.
As a consequence of effort, breath can make varying types of sounds, the sounds themselves contribute only as a relative factor of an effort. In short the reproduction of a sound alone does not make a prescribed technique more powerful.
A specific sound may indicate that an effort has been made but is not a guarantee that and effect has been made.
Breath doesn't cause dynamics or compression power, quite the reverse, it's the dynamics and contractual or compression power that influences the breath.
Regardless of style of karate it's a false concept of breath power that leads to a constipated effect. Too much going in and not enough coming out, in relationship to a task.
Controlled breath for different applications i.e. running, throwing, lifting can be refined for greater efficiency but defiantly not over emphasized. With exception of diving where you may want to over oxygenate your blood for those occasions when oxygen is a bit scarce.
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