Avi Rokah Archives

Form and Principles

Precise form is very important in Karate training, Good form provides us a structure that allows to maximize force production and delivery with least effort, while minimizing stress on body segments. In many karate classes in Los Angeles, students are first taught how form and posture build this foundation. Yet optimal form is not an end, it is a mean, a vehicle, through which we should discover, understand and internalize the underlying mental and physical principles of karate techniques and applications. These principles are also taught from the beginning in kids karate classes, where discipline and focus are introduced through […]

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Oji Waza, How You React is Not A Conscious Choice

Avi Rokah

Oji Waza is what we refer to as response techniques, or as some understand it as defense techniques. There are many types of timing and techniques we can use to respond and capitalize on opponent’s attack. We can use Sen timing and hit the opponent as they intend to attack, we can use Sen timing while avoiding the line of attack, and this is called Nuki Waza. We can use timing of Go No Sen and catch the opponent after first attack and before they can switch to second attack. We could use variety of footwork and technique depending on

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What Feels Powerful is Not Necessarily Powerful

Avi Rokah

Butch Harmon was chosen as world best golf instructor since 2003 and he said “for longer drives, forget what feels powerful”. I thought that this is really cool, he said the instinct to try to pound the ball of the tee result in what is known as “hitting from the top”, which is a power killer because it disrupts the natural sequence of motion. He said: “if you cannot hold your finish, have a balanced finish, you are going at a speed your body cannot support. Try to go at 70, 80% of your max speed – and get your

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Sensei Nishiyama, The Practical and The Philosopher

Avi Rokah

Next week, on November 8, it will be 5 years to the passing of my teacher, Sensei Nishiyama. He was like a second father to me since we spent most of our days together. Sensei Nishiyama was very pragmatic and a philosopher at same time. His greatness was that he merged the old wisdom of Okinawa karate, with the old traditions of Japanese Budo (martial arts) and with latest sport science. In his teaching he was very methodical and scientific, and every detail had a reason and had to work and be part of the whole picture. His karate was

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Avoid Lapse in Attentiveness

Avi Rokah

The other day my student Brian Palmer and I were sparring for about 20 minutes. Afterward Brian, who is one of the smartest people I know (and therefore, I always listen to his comments carefully), told me that he feels that karate is a great way to learn to keep his attention and focus, when we spar for 20 minutes, the moment he has lapse in his attention, that is when he will make a mistake and I would get him. In karate, when sparring, more than anything else I know, if you lose attention, you get immediate feedback. But

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Posture Actually Changes Your Physiology

Avi Rokah

In karate we know how important posture is for effective movement, and that posture has psychological effect as well. When In good posture, it is easy to control body dynamics, transfer ground reaction forces through body center to technique, all muscles are in optimal length for function, and have full potential for contraction/expansion. In good posture one can be more relaxed, perceived the whole picture rather than being stuck in details and be more mentally responsive and flexible. If you have ever joined karate classes for adults, you might have noticed how instructors constantly emphasise on correct posture because it

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Body, Mind and Brain in Harmony

Avi Rokah

In Karate through many generations, the wisdom and the tools were developed and transmitted to achieve harmony in oneself and with opponent. Those are not beautiful theories only, in karate harmony within oneself and than with the opponent is a necessity. You will get an immediate feedback when facing a good opponent, if you are not “present”, and not in harmony. This harmony has to be there not only when you lie down on the beach, but when you are on the edge, at extreme situations. Mind in karate refers to as heart, feeling, intuitive mind. Harmony in your body

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Form and Formless?

Avi Rokah

Form is limitation, a necessary limitation, therefore ultimately we should be free of form. Being free of form mentally and physically will allow us to flow, adopt, and apply our techniques within any space, angle or instant in time, and from any starting position. With that said, if a beginner starts training without form, they will not likely learn to use the body effectively or develop good timing. Form is a vehicle to achieve no form, but with the principles and skills that allow one to be effective. Ultimately, we want to be like a child who’s mind and body

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Body Mechanics, But First A Little Bit of Physics: By David Schames

Avi Rokah

(David Schames is my student for the last 10 years, since he was 16, very smart and also powerful, we have had interesting discussions about karate principles, so I asked him to put his thoughts in writing, and here is part 1) Nature often follows predictable paterns. Here is a formula that describes “The Big One”: F=ma The equation “Force equals mass times acceleration” is useful because of a key pattern in nature. There is no such thing as a force in nature and it cannot be measured directly with any tool. Force is an extremely useful manmade concept to

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Bypass the Brain in Karate and in Soccer. Study Shower Neymar is “Bypassing the Brain” as we Teach in Karate

Avi Rokah

My good friend from Lithuania, Modestas Tursa, sent me an interesting article about the brain activity of soccer star Neymar during complex movements. In karate we constantly talk about “bypassing the brain”, using the breath to make decisions (along with past experiences and proper wiring of the nervous system).We stress that the brain has to be quiet during the many decisions and lot of information that we have to process in very short time.Judgement, analyzing in intense situations when a lot of factors are involved and decisions has to be made quickly cause doubt, hesitation and conflict in ourselves.The brain

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