Taikioku kata

The debate about whether "forms" have any value is a pointless one in my opinion. If you don't get anything out of an exercise, then don't do it. That is basic Go Tao Chi. It is especially true in today's technological world that a video record of our participation in any activity can be used to compare and mark progress. The older I get, the more I appreciate kata. I can compare my abilities and gauge the development of both my strengths and weaknesses. Taikioku means something like, "first cause." There are any number of variations on this basic theme (perhaps a kick in place of the punch or a different block) but always the First Cause or first form or first kata allow the student a chance to combine external images (like the "track being the shape of an "I" or a football goalpost on its side) with the verbal directions of the teacher and the internal feeling of doing things "right."