Submitted by Sensei Emiliano Mazlen, Go-Dan, Shihan, Boston Chinatown Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate Club,
Under the Direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
Onegai-shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Denshi, Sensei, Shihan and Fellow Deshi,
Once we begin a block, punch or strike our arms are in continuous movement until the technique is complete.
With blocks, it is a common error to pause in the cover position. We want the energy in the arms to flow through to the end of the technique and not to drop out during a pause in the middle of the move. While we do not move the arms beyond the cover position (which would open up vulnerable areas protected by the proper cover), with correct timing the arms should be continuously moving, even subtly (for example, increasing to the maximum correct degree of torque), until the feet are set and the hip triggers the completion of the technique.
With punches, perhaps less obviously but more simply, while our arms are not moving relative to our body until we have stepped first, they are moving continuously toward the target, first with our body as we step and then from the pocket to the target once we have set the feet. While we must of course step first, the continuous motion of the punching arm should be without a pause after the step is complete (or otherwise).Let us work to keep moving forward, continuously.
Domo arigato gozaimasu to all.
Sensei Emiliano Mazlen,
Go-Dan Shihan,
Boston Chinatown Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate Club