The concept of generating power through softness in martial arts is nothing new, but it is something that I personally feel is under-emphasized and not practiced enough in Shotokan karate. I am reminded of this concept from time to time when I notice students tensing up and stopping their techniques short of the end of the full range of motion, often in an effort to feel like they are generating power by making kime. Those who have trained for several years have probably witnessed karate-ka who are so intent on making kime that they prematurely arrest their punches, or pull them…