Why learn Kata

Kata has been used to teach the Martial Arts since the dawn of time and in most styles of Kung Fu you would learn a Kata or form first then once you have mastered this form (which could be as long as 20 years or never in some cases) you were then taught the self-defense application of the kata. In the art of Kenpo you are taught the self-defense techniques first then once you have learned those techniques you will then learn the Kata. For example the techniques you learned in yellow belt will then be applied to your first Kata in Orange Belt, Short 1.
The White Tiger Kenpo forms are divided into segments: short 1, long 1; short 2, long 2; short 3. These are considered basic and intermediate kata and are then followed by the more advanced forms and kata’s such as Short 4, long 4, Mass Attacks, Panther Set, Tiger & Crane, Darkroom Staff and Skylight Staff.
White Tiger Kenpo students are not simply taught the basic kata movements, we teach the students the kata meaning and what is to be learned from the Kata. In other words you are not just memorizing the motion and then performing the kata, you should also understand what you are doing and why. By doing this it will give value to each movement, and offers a better understanding and appreciation of the kata. You know you truly understand a Kata when you can do the kata in any direction or even blind folded, or on any terrain. In other word it should not matter which way you face the Dojo or where you are ask to perform the kata or under what conditions. If you truly understand what you are doing and why it will not matter.
Kenpo kata are made up of both linear and circular motions, both hard and soft. Kata circular motions are transformed into dynamic, powerful technique. This transition from soft to hard and back to soft again is accomplished by redirecting circular into linear movement and vice versa. The kata when performed should be fluid and graceful with one move blending into the next seamlessly.
Kenpo kata progress in logical and orderly manner, we do this by teaching the basics in a step-by-step manner. By teaching the student the basics first it will give them a strong foundation to build on. The kata’s will build in complexity from simple to "sophisticated simplicity" to advance. In the first Kata you learn called Short One in Orange belt you will be introduce to basic foot patterns such as adjustment steps and transition steps or moves you will also be using in conjunction with these new foot patterns some techniques that you have already learned from Yellow Belt. Each Kata will build on the last Kata as well as what you have learned from your last belt. You will be learning how to move from one technique into the next without the stop of your motion or momentum. With every Kata you will build on to this pattern so that by the time you make Black Belt you will be able to move from one technique into the next without loosing your momentum or timing in what you are doing it will look like one continues motion and a bystander will not be able to tell where one technique stops and the next one starts.
In conclusion, Kenpo kata are a living testimony to what human endeavor, inspired by foresight and sincerity is capable of achieving. White Tiger Kenpo has established itself as a sophisticated, intelligent form of self-defense training acutely tuned with our rapidly changing environment. Kata are a part of it!