Perfect Practice - not so good?

The phrase, "practice makes perfect" has become a cliche, as has the typical clarification of "only perfect practice makes perfect." But what does that mean and how is it important?

Well if your goal is to be capable of perfect form, I suppose that the sayings make sense on the surface. But is that realistic? With the complex movements of karate-do and other physically expressive artforms, is it reasonable to expect perfect form in practice? Doesn't the message of "only perfect practice makes perfect" leave you in somewhat of a paradox until you are able to practice with perfect form? Shouldn't the message be to practice with a gradual reduction in imperfections until there is nothing left to polish? In the long-term isn't it just simple guided practice, with all kinds of imperfections, that makes for perfection over time?

Well - enough of that... What I really wanted to talk about was whether perfect practice is valuable beyond the aesthetically pleasing performance of technique. Once the basics of techniques are understood and ingrained in your body and mind through diligent practice, it comes time to apply them in a combative context. Without this transition, as we all know, there is little difference between karate and dance.

The problem with perfect practice is that it encourages us to seek perfect patterns, behavior and responses from ourselves and our training partners. How many times have you been practicing some partner work and you or your partner have accidentally deviated from the "scripted" pattern? If perfect practice has been your goal, do you consider this a mistake? Do you even shrug your shoulders, apologize, laugh and start over? In fact, it could be the most valuable training opportunity possible. What better way to practice combative applications than to add some chaos into the mix.

So next time you forget the move of the kata, block with the wrong hand, grab the wrong arm, step the wrong direction, perhaps consider that this is the most perfect of practices: that which leads to applicable skills in an imperfect situation. Don't lose heart, be embarrassed or apologize - and definately don't start over. Take advantage of an opportunity to recover from a mistake and make it work anyway!

Are you looking for the perfect execution of technique, or the perfect application of technique? What is perfect practice? That in which everything goes right? Or that in which we learn to apply our skills to prevail in this random world of ours?

Besides, isn't perfection a little boring? Bring on the chaos - bring on the fun!