So, what’s the point of still using kata in the modern-day? Now we can take a video of each kata and maintain a library of techniques that way. In fact, many schools already do this, giving their students resources they can use when learning the katas.
However, kata is useful not only as a record of techniques. Learning each kata is an excellent exercise for the karate student both mentally and physically.
Practicing the kata over and over drills it into your brain, helping you to remember the techniques and how to execute them. You’re also expected to perform the moves flawlessly. You’re moving slowly, there is nothing coming at you at the moment, you should be able to do the move perfectly.
Why? Because practicing kata also drills the technique into your body, developing muscle memory. Perform the move correctly 1,000 times while practicing kata and you’ll perform it correctly when you need it in a split second for defense.
Of course, when you need a particular defensive move, you won’t be consciously thinking about the move you need. You don’t have time to decide you’re going to use the 6th move from a particular kata to defend against this attack. That’s where muscle memory comes in. As the attack comes, your body will move to react and defend itself using a move it has performed 5,000 times before when practicing your kata.
Furthermore, performing kata consistently helps build your physical conditioning. Stances in kata are often long and deep and you may have to hold it for a period of time. This builds strength and conditioning in the leg, core, and glute muscles.
In other words, katas are an essential part of modern Karate practice and it’s a safe bet to say it always will be.
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