Quite often Sensei John adds variations to kata, either to focus on a specifics, or to add complexity so that when returning to the basic kata it appears simpler, thus providing us with more time to think about what we’re doing.

The variations we’ve tried so far include:

• slow kata
• medium kata
• fast kata
• legs only kata (with hands behind back)
• self paced (Hajime) kata
• Kiai on every Uke
• Kiai on every Geri
• Kiai on everything
• Wibbly wobbly kata (very relaxed with smooth movement and no tensioning)

This week, Sensei added a new variation.

• Mokuso Kata

Going through an entire kata with your eyes closed is not something to be done without supervision, but it’s a good learning experience. Whilst the whole class closes its eyes, the Sensei and Sempai watch to ensure nobody gets a clout or hits a wall.

If stances and movement are correct, then (for Mokuso Tagioku Shodan at least) after the 8 turns, 8 blocks and 12 strikes, the class should end up back where it started, and all facing the same direction. We didn’t do too badly.

What’s particularly good about it is that you become more aware of making every movement and stance correct, and also focus on using audible cues to affirm position and orientation.