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 your chi (pronounced chee).  The following is a brief description of how:

• 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.

• Coordination - Your coordination will improve due to the many ambidextrous movements in both the hands and feet, and general body movements.

• 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.

• Flexible - The arm and leg extensions together with the twisting of the torso, will lead to an overall more flexible body.

• 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.

• 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!!!