Grading Train

Grading Train

I read a post recently about true karate of Okinawa and that failure to meet the author's set of standards, as they understand it from their exposure to Okinawan sensei, that speaks ill of dan grading but still those same folks all wear and acknowledge their ranking. I am puzzled, is this doing as I say and not as I do syndrome? Have you lost your way if you allow yourself to be tested, graded and awarded a dan ranking?

I can see how one might become disenchanted by all the McDojo grade or rank mills. It does, my opinion, degrade the overall meaning of any ranking in any martial art. Is there any way one could accomplish the meaning and spirit of Okinawan karate while adhering to any ranking system? 

When I hear of such things I tend to wonder who or what provided the particulars as to what makes a karate-ka a true classical or traditional practitioner? Even in Okinawan karate circles there is disparity as to what constitutes a traditional form of karate along with how rank or grades are handled. I then ask myself, what if we only had two belts, if any at all, being white and black. No kyu grade levels and no dan grade levels. Just a transition, arbitrary in that it evolves around the individual and the sensei, from white belt to black. All else is forgotten under the impetus of training and practice, training and practice, training and practice. Would that alleviate the thought process that one trying to earn recognition from sensei for effort, skill and proficiency by presenting the person with another level designation, i.e. from first to second dan and so on.

Then again, why has the dan-i or dan system become so important and popular since its inception. Is it because it appeals to some aspect of human nature? Is it because of the Japanese shikata system the has and does drive the way they live, work and play. Is it because of its popularity with the western mind raised on a hierarchal culture? 

Is it to be believed when one of the traditionalist states, "karate is about attitude and character," when they also still accept and display higher and higher dan levels? Did the original martial arts, before the dan system, use some measure to determine their skill levels and were they something similar to the system created by Kano sensei? 

Is it a derivative of some sense of individualism and group cohesion, i.e. belonging for a group survival instinct that is not truly apparent to todays environments? 

Are those who profess that anyone following a grading train simply projecting a personal system of belonging to differentiate themselves from the masses? All these questions and many more arise when ever I read or hear of such things. 

As to authenticity of the idea of true karate, I still think that it is a personal and individual belief that is fostered by that person or individual using themselves and others who they have respect for to measure and gauge their true karate. Rank and belt colors are not necessary unless to differentiate and identify senpai and kohai in larger training facilities where the ratio of practitioner to sensei too large. Even then it take care and diligence to keep such things from tainting the system especially since it is seemingly an inherent trait of humans. Is there truly any culture or belief system that does not separate the levels or as one might say of natures survival instinct, separate the stronger from the weaker?

I do agree with one such person that to truly experience the karate way you must do so alone. I feel it is truly a singular personal journey and that any relations to others is simply a training tool to achieve your own goals as karate-ka. 

Now, the other side of this coin is camaraderie. Humans exist and thrive in groups. We form groups all the time. A good example is where is work. One executive stated that to flourish we needed to rid ourselves of the apparent silo's of work we used for a more singular unified one in the name of production, efficiency and proficiency. After six years of hard work the changes did not remove the silo's, i.e. admins still gravitated to other admins, programmers still gravitated to other programmers and managers still remained outside the general work force staying attached to other managers. It may not be possible to extract one from the other, i.e. groups gravitating to other like minded groups, people gravitating toward other like minded people. 

If groups of like minded folks gather, get along and flourish due to that connection then that is a good thing. Regardless of the constant disagreeing toward the grading train I tend to think that it still provides growth to anyone who becomes a member - regardless. It comes down to what the person wants and do they get it in the venue they choose? If yes, then why should anyone disparage the other?

Take another look at the ancient classics that have greatly influenced the martial arts and ways. They all professed that the most advantageous method of society and leadership is one without ego and pride driven aspects and more traditional means of living and governing but still humans end up back in the same society hierarchal model of life. Maybe it is just in our genes and although we strive to leave such trappings behind we end up gravitating to them just the same, over and over and over again. 

Ok, nuff said until this comes around again in a year or so ;-)

Kyudosha [求道者]

The characters/ideograms mean "investigator; one who seeks the way." Kyudo means, "seeking the truth." The first character means, "request; want; wish for; require; demand," the second character means, "road-way; street; district; journey; course; moral; teachings," the third character means, "someone; person." 

Kyudosha, much like Yudansha, is a term used to describe a person who seeks the way and in my case as in many others this means seeking or investigating the way of the warrior. There are two methods also described as to how a person goes about seeking the way. 

The first is Renshu [練習]. The characters/ideograms mean "practice." The first character means, "practice; gloss; train; drill; polish; refine," the second character means, "learn."

Renshu is made up of two kanji, the first pointing to the personal discipline required to practice, polish and refine yourself and thus keep the true essence of karate, and the second kanji meaning to learn. The notion of renshu is a resolve, the discipline and the diligence to keep going, Shugyo, in the face of adversity both in the dojo and in life itself. 

The second is Keiko [稽古]. The characters/ideograms mean "practice; training; study." The first character means, "think; consider," the second character means, "old."

The first kanji in keiko, means to practice, train and study, i.e. to think and consider about what you are studying as in the discipline of karate. The second kanji, means old, as in the study of what comes before, i.e. that study that leads up to your practice and studies. The meaning of keiko, is to study wholeheartedly that which has gone before, i.e. the history and philosophy of the discipline you have chosen in martial arts. 

It is what takes the mere physical practice to the full or whole of practice, training, and application in martial arts. It goes beyond the discipline that masters techniques in order to develop strong, solid and sound karate. You endeavor to go beyond and ask about the history and the what, when, where, how and why of karate so that you may learn at a greater depth and breadth and that you may preserve it by passing it down to your students. 

Renshu-Keiko: This kind of cultivation of your mind, through keiko, and your spirit, through renshu, should not be taken lightly, as strong and lasting karate is not possible in conjunction with a weak mind. The mind always comes first; and whatever your body does, it does so only because your mind allows it.

Bibliography:

Clarke, Michael. "Difficult Research in Developing Karate." YMAA. Internet. 2013

http://ymaa.com/articles/2013/11/difficult-research-in-developing-karate-part-1

http://ymaa.com/articles/2013/11/difficult-research-in-developing-karate-part-2

Prolonged Dynamic Tension

Click for Large View :-)

In Isshinryu they refer to this as "Chinkuchi or prolonged chinkuchi." In the more modern western world it is dynamic tension first introduced to the world of body building by Charles Atlas in the 1920's. The principles of its practice are pretty much the same, i.e. a person tenses the musculature of the body or body parts while moving that body or body part as if they were working or exercising with weights. The dynamic tension movement is actually called "isometrics." 

What comes up in martial arts is prolonged dynamic tension through the practice of the sanchin kata is the question as to its health benefits and its health effects. Does this type of training, prolonged, cause any health concerns for the practitioner?

There is no solid information on health benefits or concerns that this author can find. You would think there would be some information since this type of training has existed, in the west, since the 1920's and for the martial artists that may extend into the 1800's or before since it is documented in various ancient classics as a practice by Okinawan's and the Chinese, the ancestors of Okinawa Karate. 

Isometrics can cause elevation in blood pressure. It is believed, although not backed up by adequate research, that performing an isometric exercise, for most healthy persons, resulting is a rise in blood pressure are of little consequence, but if you have hypertension that dramatic rise in pressure  could be a hazard or fatal. 

The American College of Sports Medicine tells athletes they should avoid isometric programs since they may have a negative effect on their cardio health. I, the author, don't know what kind of research this organization used to determine this but to be prudent and err on the side of caution one should ALWAYS consult a physician before starting such a program. 

I wonder to myself how many martial artist, karate practitioners who practice prolonged dynamic tension like sanchin, have explained the process to their physicians and gained their approval before embarking on a life long practice of sanchin or chinkuchi. 

Personally, I don't advocate prolonged sanchin/chinkuchi practice. I believe, personally, that their is a balance where the performance of sanchin or any other isometric/dynamic tension system is about tension and positive relaxation. The degree to which a person tenses the musculature is also important. After all anything of this type can be practiced beyond safety, health and fitness with a result of health concerns. In my minds eye, the cardiovascular is one of those critical area's where death is prominent. If you make a mistake you could die. 

I have practiced prolonged dynamic tension/chinkuchi, etc. and feel it a bit excessive, for me. I don't mean to speak against it in general and for all but rather speak to the persons caution when taking up this type of practice and training. 

Now, Charles Atlas's system of dynamic tension/isometrics has been around since I was a youngster (I actually wanted to get the program as a kid but didn't for some reason while my older brother actually used the system for his training). I have never known of anyone or any publicity that said his system resulted in health concerns or deaths so feel, if properly done along with a physicians approval, that it is beneficial to health and fitness. 

Think of it this way, we all tend to do a form of dynamic tension in our every day activities including sports. The body through sport for instance naturally goes through a process of dynamic tension and positive relaxation. It can be said to attribute to the athletes health, fitness and ability to perform the sport in question, i.e. basketball, football, etc. If this is true and the untested word in martial arts is true then there is a benefit with minimal health concerns provided you enter into this model of training with a bit of care and physical approval from a physician. 

Moderation is a key issue in sanchin for me and those who train or practice with me. I don't believe in prolonged dynamic tension and feel it is a detriment to health and fitness but to practice it in a balanced way would be acceptable to me, for me. 

Last word, if you are vulnerable to things like hypertension, aneurisms, etc. then see your doctor to find what you can and should do for health. Several postings from Doctors still say, "Isometric exercise, like weight lifting, etc. can definitely build muscles, which helps capabilities/fitness, but is limited because it does not help cardiovascular health, and during the exercise, blood pressure can be greatly increased. This can be very disastrous in people who are vulnerable, like those with aneurisms." 

Another source states, "Isometric exercises are often not recommended for individuals with high blood pressure or heart disease, because the constant muscle tension places pressure on the arteries, causing a dramatic increase in blood pressure. However, a 2010 review of studies published in the "Journal of Clinical Hypertension" noted that isometric exercise can be beneficial for building strength in hypertensive individuals who are unable to perform dynamic exercises requiring full joint range of motion. While isometric exercise elicits a temporary hypertensive response, blood pressure quickly returns to resting values after the completion of exercise. The authors concluded that isometric exercise can be effective in lowering resting blood pressure, and that isometric exercise should be recommended as a training mode for hypertensive patients."

Also: " 'Journal of Sports Science,' strength training with isometric contractions produces large gains in strength but adaptations are highly angle-specific. Training muscles isometrically over a range of joint angles may produce significant increases in strength compared to dynamic training. Edward R. Laskowski of the Mayo Clinic notes that while isometric training may increase strength, the mode is not effective for increasing speed or improving athletic performance."

And finally: "When performing isometric contractions, it is important to align your body to minimize stress on the joints. For example, in a yoga plank or side plank, your wrists and elbows should be aligned directly beneath your shoulders, with your arms perpendicular to the floor. In a static wall squat, your knees should be aligned directly over your ankles, with your lower legs perpendicular to the floor. To minimize stress to the rotator cuff, avoid prolonged isometric contractions of the arms at or above shoulder height. Isometric contractions of the muscles of the neck should be limited to eight to 10 seconds."

Bibliography:

Matte, Michelle and Demand Media. "What are the Dangers of Isometric Exercises?" http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/dangers-isometric-exercises-19702.html, Health Living, 

Judgement

Judgement, the crucial element in the snap judgement made during the stress of a crises such as a violent attack or some sort of high-stress event, etc. Even you judgement before encountering such an event is critical to avoidance of violence, conflict, etc. What makes for good judgement?

Preparation is what makes for good judgement along with experience. It comes from a long time spent under a rigorous course of education along with experience. It is what you learn, do and train for that matters when the rubber hits the road in a conflict or even that is high-stress and often dangerous. 

Judgement as developed and trained and experienced comes down to training our mind and bodies to make split-second decisions without being subjected to our stereotypes and prejudices, even those we may not believe. 

It is the experience that results in using our behavior and our training to interpret and decode what lies behind our snap judgements and first impressions whereby the results are dictated. 

Bibliography:

Gladwell, Malcolm. "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking." Bay Back Books. France. 2007.

The Mechanics of It

When studying the application of military theory as to a new strategy it came to light that to become "so focused" on the mechanics and the processes that they never looked at the problem holistically (Zenjinteki [全人的] or Zenteki [全的]). In their endeavor to understand through the process of tearing something apart and into its atomistic state, they lost its meaning. 

In martial arts defense circles the focus has become so atomistic that they have lost sight of returning to a more holistic approach to applying martial technique, tactics and strategies in a holistic manner. The mechanics are a necessary part of laying the foundation to any skill but then you must let the atomistic mechanics go and allow the mind to reach toward a more holistic method of training and practice so as to release a more spontaneous improvisational method to achieve a more realistic and spontaneous application. 

You have to forget, not literally as it will be stored or encoded into the unconscious mind, the mechanics and then rely on your ability to Coup D'oeil or grasp the situation with the power of a glance. Snap judgements based on your instincts using the mechanical atomistic knowledge encoded to the unconscious through study and practical experience. 

Spontaneous Improvisation Drilling

Improvisation is the ability to take the drills beyond a mere repetitive drill and into the type of skill needed by anyone forced into a defensive posture. It is a skill whereby one must use sophisticated decisions making on the spur of the moment, without the benefit of any scenario or strategy or tactics - it is about that instant surprise attack.

Improvisation is the lead into spontaneity and that is only possible when you first come to an agreement with your partner, i.e. the senpai-kohai thing. You have to agree to accept what ever comes from either the senpai and/or the kohai. Before you do this you must spend time, lots of time, in repetitive practices using drills that are structured and highly repetitive in practice. You use drills to perfect your abilities then you introduce the concept of improvisation and thereby introduce spontaneity. 

When the high stress conditions of a violent attack occur you will have trained and developed your rapid cognition through the practice of improvisational drilling. This is what is meant by the spontaneous introduction of differences within a drill, i.e. changing some small aspect of the attack and defend nature within the drill so as to create acceptance from senpai-uke to develop and condition improvisational spontaneity while being subjected to high stress conditions. 

Then you introduce the drills with greater and greater speed and constantly changing improvisation to achieve a more realistic ability to act in accordance with what ever is thrown at you. Simply, after a long period of repetitive practice in drills, introduce some simple change that results in acceptance and spontaneous improvisational actions appropriate to the improvisational introduction of change, etc. One rule, if a change is introduced both must accept it without reservation. 

Creating an environment with the right framework (drills), all of a sudden, engaging in the kind of fluid, effortless, spur of the moment surprise changes makes for good training and practice - and it will be easier as time and practice continue until you can improvise in any situation with any strategy, tactic and technique(s). 

Create the conditions in the dojo for successful spontaneous improvisational actions!

Combat Karate

I had a senior karate-ka tell me once that he/she has taught for a long time and his students practice and train in karate as a combat system. In addition I found out that he/she does not train using any type of free form fighting, etc. They rely solely on basics, kata and drills. I have written about my thoughts, philosophies and theories on the subject of basic techniques, kata practices and kumite/drills, etc. so won't get to deep here but I have to think to myself, "how can one believe that predefined kata and drills will be effective in combat."

I admit that basics, kata and drills have a purpose and without them the entire system or martial art will be weakened in the long run except I have to believe that this aspect is merely the tip of the martial iceberg. It comes down to my theory and practice that to achieve effectiveness in martial arts that one must take practice and training beyond the basics of basics, kata and drills. 

Can a martial art, like karate, be considered a combat art or system with those types of limitations (my term and theory)? Do we have the tools and information to take this beyond that level of practice and training? 

Is it possible that this direction this person took in teaching karate leads those who practice into a false sense of effectiveness that often is never tested in the fight, violent street encounter or even combat (thinking of the military here). Do we simply and blindly follow this method because of the credentials of the person leading or do we question it because we need to make sure what may have worked for them would work for us, me or you as the individual?

Any drill or predefined combative techniques or technique or combination as a teaching tool for a novice is good and solid training and practice but until it is, the individual with said techniques, etc., tested by fire may or may not actually be effective. Thinks of it this way, most military drills and training are derived from the blood and sweat of those who we follow, who have bled in battle and gained the experiences, as set down in those drills and training practices but are subject to change by the experiences achieved in combat experiences for those individuals during the current moments in time. Complicated, isn't it?

Personally, I don't think spending years and years learning and practicing drills alone will suffice in a fight or defense. It relies heavily, initially necessary, on ROTE practice, i.e. set patterns and rhythms, that need more flexibility to achieve effective fighting/defensive skills for the chaos of violent encounters. To this end this is not combat karate or even self defense karate. It has value but in those limited scenarios lacks substance to carry the day - maybe.

If I am right, then the larger and more complex question rears its ugly head - how do we achieve combat or fight/defense readiness without exposing ourselves to violent situations where it may be a bit too late?

Philosophy Principle (Personal Philosophy)

"The true nature of any human being supersedes its outer appearance in terms of importance." - Butcher/Dresdon

Part of the principle of philosophy is a personal philosophy connected the the general martial philosophy principle that makes all of it a persons own. As martial artists we tend to give lip service to principles such as mind, mushin, kime, non-intention, yin-yang, oneness, zanshin and being, non-action, character and the empty cup. 

A personal philosophy is taking the principles and creating something unique to you, the person. One of the reasons I find this principle of importance is that without a personal philosophy that lives up to a moral and societal standard leaves the remnants of a brutal fighting/combative empty hand system that is often used inappropriately. 

In a Wester endeavor to achieve notoriety with trophies, belts and accolades from our contemporaries we sometimes forget this aspect of martial prowess. The tempering of ego to achieve something more appropriate and worth wild to us as a person and us as a member of a tribe, group or society. 

It comes down to taking these philosophical principles and making them our own - a personal philosophy. It takes what one might see outside and turns it into an inside, a true nature of self. 

Failure; Mistake; Blunder

Failure is the learning tool of life - especially in martial arts as a self-defense system. Why? If we had no failures or mistakes then what would we or could we learn. It is the accumulation that breeds right knowing and right doing. It is that gradual gathering of mistakes, flaws, blunders and failures that provide us a means to learn, grow and prosper as humans and especially as martial artist of self-defense. 

To achieve mastery in martial arts we must be self-conscious of all our failures. Self-reflection and self-analysis is hard but diligent use of these tools provides us the ability to learn from our mistakes so we can make corrections, updates and changes necessary to improve.

"If there is nothing to learn because we know it all, what is the challenge, why would the effort matter, what would be the point?" - unknown

The basis of why humans are fallible and why we need to make shippai or failure a more accepted and positive feature of life that is embraced as what is truly is, a learning tool.

How can we self-reflect and self-analyze, we have to question everything even if it is success because every success has its own flaws, errors and failures. There is always room to improve. Evolution is about change. If we all remained constant then we all would be living in caves and dealing with the original human condition - the predator-prey relationship and condition. 

Hostility Loop

Hostility, passed on, comes right back at you and becomes still more hostility that has to have somewhere to go.

When you express hostility toward people, they are likely to express hostility back. That will make you even more hostile and start you round the loop again, with each person's negativeness feeding the loop and provoking more of the same. 

If hostility turned inward is allowed to simmer inside you long enough, you will pass it along to someone else - often someone who had nothing to do with it "until you decided to use them as a hostility dump!"

Fear can lead to anger. Anger is always expressed as hostility. Hostility is always contagious which is expressed with more hostility. It is a continuous self propagating loop of escalating anger + hostility. DEAL with the emotion, just the emotion.

Leave the underlying trigger until the "logical problem-solving" part of the brain is released from the emotion and the resulting chemical (adrenaline) dump so the "true issue" can be resolved. 

As long as emotions are involved nothing will be fixed. Stop the loop, address only the emotions, i.e. anger+hostility first, then after time for Emotional-Clarence and Ventilation we can have an open-minded, honest and loving discussion. 

Bibliography