Forms and Sets > Long Form 3 > Analysis

Before analyzing any form, one must first consider the scope of their analysis. Scope, in this instance, means what will be included in the analysis. For instance, does the analysis only include the form itself, or does the analysis include other forms in the system and beyond? As a guideline, it is suggested that any analysis first start with the form itself and then expand outward from there; transitioning first to include lower forms of the system into the analysis, then upper forms, and finally other areas of the system.

To look at it from a slightly different perspective, each form can be first thought of as both a self-contained entity, and then a component of a larger structure. By thinking of the forms in this way, one can build boundaries in which to perform their analysis. Analysis scoped to within the boundaries of the form itself is referred to as intra-form analysis. Analysis outside of the boundaries of the form is referred to as inter-form analysis.

The way this book will progress through the analysis of a form will be by first examining each element or section of the form, comparing and contrasting it to other elements and/or sections of the form, to ultimately build up an analysis of the entire form. From there, the analysis will expand to the earlier forms, looking to find ways in which the current form completes missing information, while also adding to the knowledge base of the lower forms. Finally, any detailed analysis of information and relationships contained in higher form and the system as a whole will be primarily contained in the books specific to that form / subject and not presented in this book.

In other words, there will only be analysis of lower forms - not upper forms. To see upper form analysis, one would need to access the inter-form analysis of the upper form desired. This is done for three (3) reasons: First, the individual reading this book may not yet know any form higher than the form being analyzed. Second, this analytical information would be a duplicate of the information presented in the higher form(s). And thirdly, to keep the length of the books in this series to a manageable size.

Intra-form Analysis

When one is performing intra-form analysis, they should be cognizant to not overlook the fact that vital information can be contained in not only the individual elements or sections (i.e. self-defense techniques), but also foot patterns, transitions, isolation sequences, omissions, etc. One should always remember that there is no such thing as meaningless motion within a form. Everything has meaning and/or purpose.

Inter-form Analysis

When one is performing inter-form analysis, they should be cognizant not to overlook the fact that information can be directly correlated with information expressed in lower forms and/or higher forms (if you know them). During said analysis, one should always remain aware that information linked to other forms may add to previously learned information, or may only be exposed due to new knowledge articulated with the learning of the new form. In other words, what was previously perceived as meaningless, will now have meaning.

Overall, the analysis of Long Form Three is far more challenging than that of the lower forms. This is due to the fact that Long Form Three, in essence, contains a great deal of new type of information not presented in the lower forms and from a new set of perspectives. But some major elements of the overall analysis do remain the same as in the lower forms. And, previous analysis completed on the lower forms can be used as a starting point in the analysis of Long Form Three.