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WHAT IS KATA?
An important part of the NCMA (Non-Contact Martial Arts) program will be
learning Kata. The Kata movements being taught in the NCMA class will make
the students more balanced, coordinated, stronger and more flexible. Kata
will also teach you martial art movements that can be used in self defense
and teach you how to develop you chi (pronounced chee). The
following is a brief description of how:
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Balance - Your balance will improve as you
deliver various strikes, blocks and evasive movements in different and
sometimes odd positions, causing the body to want to sway but training
to keep it steady.
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Coordination - Your coordination will improve due
to the many ambidextrous movements in both the hands and feet, and
general body movements.
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Stronger - The core of your body will become
stronger as you learn how to move your body's power out from the center
and deliver balanced strikes and blocks.
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Flexible - The arm and leg extensions together
with the twisting of the torso, will lead to an overall more flexible
body.
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Self-Defense - Although NCMA is not a Black Belt
curriculum, many of the movements in Kata are applicable in street
situations. Keep in mind that regardless of what techniques you
practice to defend yourself, they are not worth much if you do not
posses the above attributes.
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Chi - Developing your chi (life's energy) is not
as mystical as some people would have you believe. Your life energy is
something you have been turning on and off your whole life. Through
Kata, you will be taught how to develop it and how it applies to the
Martial Arts. How to develop chi will be discussed on a regular basis
in class.
The beauty of learning Kata is that it can be practiced
almost anywhere. Practicing inside or outside on different surfaces (grass,
pavement, gravel,....) will develop all of the above mentioned benefits of
Kata. Practicing on uneven surfaces will develop you even quicker.
Kata practiced properly is
AWESOME!!!
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