Our long training sessions last four hours. We cultivate two physical training dynamics:
One is high speed fast-reversal movement. This way of moving deletes the time between defensive movement and counterattack, uniting maneuver and firepower. We will be posting more video on this.
The second dynamic we practice in long trainings is renzoku, fluid continuous motion. This is highly developed in Chinese internal styles but not usually applied to karate kata in a skillful way. The physical skill objective of this mode of training is deep body awareness for whole body coordination, from head to toe in every move, and to make a habit of perfect balance. Errors in balance can be glossed over when we move fast, where fast falling can appear to be real stability. That error reduces our ability to project power, and can be exploited by a skilled opponent.
By uniting these poles of movement – very fast and very slow – we detect and overcome shortcomings, cultivate complete mastery of the body, and develop a level of tactical skill which is not accessible without these methods.
These are not new methods. They are used in many combative disciplines, including tactical aviation and close quarters combat. These training methods are not well-known or commonly used in karate.
As we deepen our physical skills, we also train our minds.
Mind training is needed for any high skill. It is not esoteric. It is practical. It is not separate from physical training, but it can be approached directly, as a separate dimension of experience, for precision and depth.
We alternate periods of karate training with mind training. The objective in mind training is not to suppress thought or de-stress. It is to maintain continuous awareness of current conditions.
As we train through the session we transition seamlessly between vigorous motion and stillness. Our minds remain clear and stable and our will remains purposeful throughout, no matter what we are doing.
This skill is necessary in combatives. Burst energy in self-defense is essential. But it may not be sufficient. In dealing with a sustained threat, or repeated threats, and even when facing a single threat for a single moment, we have no way to know, in advance – on the street, in a building, or in any threat environment – that we are facing a one opponent, or that our initial encounter with the assailant will resolve the threat.
Therefore, we cultivate sustained attention and the ability to apply persistent, skillful tactical action, for an extended period. For high-performance this is indispensable.
This cultivation of mind and physical skill can be applied in any demanding action. Driving on an icy road, playing music in a band, playing competitive sports, trying a case, flying a plane, study, conversation – anything that requires skill and attention.
We currently train this in four-hour blocks. We increase the length of the trainings as needed.
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Post copyright © 2025 Jeffrey Brooks, MountainKarateNC.com, Yamabayashi Ryu, Mountain Karate, Saluda, NC
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read True Karate Dō by Jeffrey Brooks
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