Possibilities In Shotokan, there is a rule said to have originated with Gichin Funakoshi. According to this rule, every movement of a Kata is precisely defined. Every detail, down to breathing and muscle tension, is precisely defined. A Kata must always be practiced with full commitment. And ultimately, a Kata must not be changed. The latter is essential for preserving a kata from generation to generation. Because every change represents a historical loss, unless the original is preserved.

For this reason, there is a practice in Okinawa of adding the name of the master who adapted the Kata to his needs to the name of the Kata. This was particularly true in the case of the Kata Kushanku: Sakugawa no Kushanku, Itosu no Kushanku, Chibana no Kushanku, with Chatanyara no Kushanku being the most well- known. Kata can undergo numerous changes. They are capable of development. And can thus become something personal. Just as someone can freely choose their "favorite Kata," so too can someone freely choose the way they practice the Kata. Of course, this is not possible if training is carried out together in the dojo. However, karate is not a sport that is practiced exclusively in the dojo. Karate is something that can be practiced anywhere. And that, even without wearing a karate uniform. The living room is just as suitable as a patch of grass. Even the occasional office offers space for one or two exercises. Sanchin, Tensho, or Naihanchi can be practiced almost anywhere. Tensho, in particular, requires less than a square meter of space. Kata can be more than just a form of karate training. Kata can also be used as a gymnastic exercise. Or as a purely mental exercise, where you perform the movements purely in your mind. You can practice karate lying on the couch, so to speak. But there are even more interesting possibilities. Practically every kata can be practiced in a hard and soft form. Every movement can be performed quickly or slowly, hard or softly, with or without force. You can perform a kata (also called tensho) with maximum hardness and tension. But also with maximum slowness and softness. Jumps are replaced by turns and ducks. If you utilize all the possibilities, many karate kata can also be transformed into forms of Tai Chi. And this is particularly interesting. Chi, the still mysterious body's own energy, is also of great importance for karate. But chi cannot be developed with hardness and muscle tension. Feeling and controlling chi can only be learned through sensitive movements, meditative relaxation, and correct breathing. One of the few karate kata designed to develop chi is Happoren. But only if you practice Happoren more like Tai Chi. The fascinating thing about Happoren is that it almost invites you to practice it in different ways. Normally, Happoren is a slow breathing kata with a focus on muscle tension. However, the following variations are easily possible. Hard execution: Slow, with high tension and concentration, sharp, hard breathing. (Sanchin) Soft execution: Slow, without tension, soft, flowing breathing. (Tensho) Fast execution: Alternating speed, from slow to fast, alternating breathing. (Empi) Meditative execution: Almost identical to Tai Chi forms. If you utilize the full potential of Happoren, you practically have an "all-in-one" kata. You have a single kata with which you can train four different aspects of karate. Although Happoren is particularly well suited for this, any traditional kata can generally be used in this way. ’’Only those who knows the possibilities can use them. (H. Haß 2017)