IMHO…Almost sounds like the proverbial chicken before the egg argument. On the surface it does seem that learning the principle prior to the technique would be correct way but, to learn the principle takes time and conditioning of the body before the principle can be EFFECTIVLY learned, this can only be done by learning the technique first. An example: Learning body mechanics (ie hip twitching). The theory to learn is utilizing the body efficiently in order to execute the strongest possible technique. Teaching (telling) the principle all day will never be absorbed by a student. The student must feel it for them selves and that only will come from doing the technique (many times). You can inform the student of the principle (end result) but, for them to learn the theory it must be done a little at a time from the individual.
If any of that makes sense.
All My Best,
Todd Wayman
"…since karate is a martial art, you must practice with the utmost seriousness from the very beginning."
- G. Funakoshi, Karate-Do Nyumon, 1943