Sanchin - Tatsuo-san’s Perspective

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

It is told by some Isshinryu luminaries that Tatsuo-san taught that Sanchin is about health and fitness. It was one explanation as it is understood using the ken-po goku-i of Isshinryu karate. It is a kata that tempers the body, mind and spirit. It forges that body in its proper practice and application while adding to one’s discipline. Yet, there is so much more to the kata than simply supplementing our health and adding to our fitness.

Read more in the following:

My Personal Perspective (not as a replacement explanation but rather as an enhancement of the explanation, etc.)

Sanchin is also thought of as a form of “Prolonged Dynamic Tension” or what the Okinawans call, “Prolonged Chinkuchi.” It is comprised of a type of breathing along with a yin-yang concept of dynamic tension and positive relaxation. Regarding the concept of, “Prolonged,” that is relative to how the person wished to practice the kata. One reason why it is a consummate kata of karate is because it teaches us far more than dynamic tension or what some in the old days here in the United States called, “Isometric Exercises.” 

To achieve a proficient and exacting practice of Sanchin requires one teach, learn and practice principles. When you think of chinkuchi you think of, “Muscles, ligaments, tendons, and the skeletal systems” all coming together to make sanchin work. Add in principles like physiokinetic, i.e., alignment, centeredness, structure, etc., you get a solid sanchin application.

When performing correctly you generate energy and you contain that energy while it circulates according to the breathing processes so that it circulates providing the health benefits along with greater fitness, etc. but more important it tests energy transference vs. bleed off through proper structure, alignment, and other sub-principles of physiokinetics as well as theory, philosophy and technique(s). 

Then there is how it expresses, teaches and encodes such sub-principles as, “Centeredness, centerline, spinal alignment, hara or belly harness as well as shoulder harness grouping alignment, structure, etc., structure, relaxation and dynamic tension through sequential locking and unlocking, body-mind connectivity, rooting, etc.” 

If a practitioner and student fails to achieve sanchin cohesive application of principles then they are not doing sanchin and they are not practicing the indigenous system of empty hand of Okinawan, Ti. Sanchin does not actually have or need what some called bunkai except in how the action and movement, etc., of sanchin is explained as a form of bunkai for bunkai is not just a specified technique per say but actually the expression of concept and principles manifested in the movement of the external body to the internal systems and mind and spirit of the karate-ka. 

Sanchin bunkai, i.e., is the disassembly of the action or movements internal and external toward an analysis of principles so that one understand how they apply in karate, both as a way of life and as a defense system, that explains how all the atomistic components merge and coalesce into a one wholehearted sanchin. We begin through knowledge by learning the principles then we learn the movement, patterns and rhythms of the sanchin form toward connecting principles to the kata. Bunkai as principles so that they may be applied to any movement, any kata, any defense mechanism without regard to any particular technique as it would be defined against another particular technique.

Sanchin is that one wholehearted form, pattern, etc. that taps into the physics of the body, mind and spirit to achieve a foundation that transcends and becomes a model to teach students rather than being force into a form of study that is based on subject matter leaving the student to form to the subject matter rather than forming principles to the student. 

This is the true nature of Sanchin, principles, and therefore the true nature, the very essence of foundational cornerstone connectivity, of karate from Okinawa. 

Sanchin and Principles utilize all the bodies systems toward a wholehearted oneness, i.e., “Skeletal System, Nervous System, Cardiovascular and Circulatory system, Endocrine system, Muscular System, Respiratory system, Digestive system and other systems that contribute to health, fitness and well-being.” 

Note: Prolonged chinkuchi or dynamic tension (Isometric) is NOT about holding the tension of muscles throughout the entire kata but rather a yin-yang process within the kata form and patter that provides a yin-yang circular process of strong dynamic tension to a balance of the opposite of positive relaxation - sequentially applying isometric dynamic tension to positive relaxation with body locking and unlocking, etc. It becomes clearer when actually taught tactically with hands-on teaching on the dojo floor so that the student can connect and apply the knowledge of principles, etc. while actually performing the form. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Kata - Could its Origins be Exclusively Japanese?

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

It came to my mind recently while studying about kata that it is possible that kata is an exclusively Japanese model adopted by the Okinawans. There is a term used to describe a cultural norm of the Japanese called, “Shi-kata.”

As can be explained by defining and translating the term it appears that the Japanese created a non-verbal method of doing - Everything - by the formation of specific kata patterns that ended up making the Japanese masters of creation of products be they philosophical or physical such as their detailed expert work in the creation of the, “Katana sword.” 

There was a concerted effort by the Okinawan martial arts professionals, i.e., Okinawans like Funakoshi Sensei, etc., who went to the lengths necessary in gaining Japanese approval and acceptance. 

Once I began to study what is available of the social belief system as shi-kata along with the historical information of Okinawa as to martial arts I began to consider that it is possible that the kata Okinawan karate uses today is merely the adopted forms of Japanese shi-kata. I also considered the strong need and effort to institutionalize martial arts such as Okinawa’s karate in the educational systems. These systems created for the young through education in the schools needed a, “Standardized Way,” to achieve goals for all toward a more budo way especially since WWII was just over the horizon - so to speak.

It could be the start of how Okinawan Ti or Te became the kata driven practice it became in the early 1900’s. After all, the influences of the kata driven social system of Japan would have its influences on the Okinawans, much like that of the Chinese influences through the trade industry, view and practice of their unique martial art of karate. I also attribute this educational effort for karate because of its demonstrations in Japan thus impressing many of the leading Japanese martial artists of that period of time. 

As far as I know, to date, references to kata as an intricate part of the practice of karate is not mentioned. Even karate itself until the late 1800’s and early 1900’s was not prominently mentioned from a historical documented way. 

It means, so far to my perception, that it is possible that kata practice was not a dominate feature of Okinawa Ti or Te in the very early years and may of consisted of various technique based practices according to the expertise and experiences of the teachers. Even some of the earlier historically based stories it is told that some of the kata are actually creations of the more modern Sensei who learned from their teachers those techniques and thereby created kata based on those various techniques to fit the more modern standardized model of an almost strict kata-based model of learning karate especially since kumite as we know of it today didn’t actually begin until maybe the 1940’s or 50’s - speculatively speaking. 

If by some far off chance my theory were to be true then that would put a whole new and different spin on the arguments many flame about electronically as to the validity and importance of kata practice. 

Regardless of its origins, either modern or ancient or even shikata, the kata if taught, learned, practiced and understood as to its actual role in teaching martial arts still holds a valid position and role in martial arts training, practice and applications. Most misunderstanding tend to come from ignorance of what kata are and how they are used to teach, etc. Many have the misinterpretation that they are groups of dynamic bunkai or techniques when in reality they are merely a tool to teach physiokinetics (in short fundamental principles like structure, alignments, breathing, balance and so forth …). They are a tool to teach students rather than the modern thought of subject oriented teaching, etc.

Bibliography (Click the link)

Oh, as to shi-kata, here ya go:

Shikata [仕方]

The characters/ideograms mean "way; method; means; resource; course." The first character means, "attend; doing; official; serve," the second character means, "direction; person; alternative." 

The character, romanization word, was found through the original book of reference, the Shin Gi Tai, by Mike Clarke where a reference was made as to karate kata being of greater importance over the system of Te vs. the current belief that kata is a part of Te. Clarke Sensei's reference material led me to the book on Kata or "Shikata." 

In that study material we find references to "kanji." I will try to bring a bit of interest to this by some data that led me to believe that kata drives Japan, and I believe now Okinawan, Karate - shikata.

Shikata is often referred to simply as "kata" for brevity so I will do the same in this and any followup postings. But I want to begin with references to "kanji" to continue this particular post because kanji seems from my studies so far to be the reason for kata. 

Some historical influences to kata begin with Shintoism, the way of the Gods. Then of importance is Buddhism, Confucianism, the ideographic writing system, and other cultural influences from China. All this led to a "highly controlled behavior" model that would express subservience and respect toward superior beings. There are then presented various other factors that led to kata in Japan that should be fully understood so "read the book."

This post tho wants to speak to what the author presented as the "mother of kata." Kanji, what was called by the Japanese as "Chinese Letters."  Korean scribes transcribed Japanese language into Kanji. The writing of kanji involved other principles but in a nutshell it resulted in a particular form of training to lean how to read and write the complicated characters where the strokes to create kanji became kata-ized, i.e. the conjoining strokes were taught is very specific order and there were no deviations allowed. It was referred to as "way of writing" or "Kaki-kata."

The mental concentration and mechanical aspects of writing in kanji required memorization and that is done by repetitive practice over time. It involved thousands of kanji characters which were more of a translation of concepts communicated by sounds vs. simply utilization of what we use, i.e. A, B, C's which also became a very personalized experience with strong mental or psychological aspects. 

The mental concentration was governed by specificity in a kata like manner. The learning process for kanji resulted in a high degree of the sense of group harmony of form and style which imbued a deep sense of aesthetics. An art form or way of writing. It also, much like we profess to achieve in karate kata practice, provided a means to increase a person's patience and to persevere in all they do to an extreme.

The requirement to practice and learn kanji became the "way" to shape Japanese physically, intellectually and emotionally further binding them to the group mentality through this kata of the kanji writing. This became a core aspect along with others to create their group style culture. 

Every person in Japan were now required to follow this kanji-kata to create these characters in a manner that became an art form which is known today as "Sho-Do or Way of the Brush." We call it calligraphy. 

Writing kanji also denoted one as being of great character and worth. Thus was born shikata or kata. It is not much of a stretch even for non-Japanized persons practicing the Asian traditional martial arts to see that this led to the kata within the art from the kata-mization of the art itself. As you read the book on its many subjects which are all governed by their individual kata you begin to get a fundamental understanding beyond our limited view of what we perceived, until now, as karate kata.

I may have it right or maybe wrong but you can begin to see why understanding of the kanji that describe the sounds as some more conceptual meaning could lead to greater understanding of our practice and training.

Martial Arts Language or “The Language of Karate.”

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Now, this may seem like the beginnings of an article on MA terminology but it isn’t. It is about maturity in martial arts. In a recent article I read the quote that inspired this articles was, “ … according to one teeth-grinder … who rates himself as 8th dan … (said to the author of the article) ‘F*^king idiot!’” 

Now, one aspect of master in the martial arts it made me consider for this article is one that I don’t remember being talked or written about in a non-assuming way - Martial Arts Maturity!

We talk about mastery along with humility and even enlightenment but seldom does the subject of a practitioners/students, “Maturity,” come to the forefront of such teachings and discussions. I have a feeling that one assumes and assumptions can make an “Ass” out of us and some guy named, “umption.” 

When I read about some 8th level yudansha resorting to this level of thinking as well as writing and talking (cause if he wrote it I would assume he wouldn’t hesitate to say it as well) in this manner that this person has not reached a proper level of maturity that I would expect from someone of such high rank/grade/level, one of such perceived accomplishment they would not need to resort to such tactics to achieve what ever goal they are trying to achieve in such exchanges.

It reminded me of a recent podcast of a supposed radio show on martial arts where the interview and discussion involved two supposed highly respected MMA professionals. One never once during the interview used language that I would consider inappropriate while the interviewer used the F-word in almost every single sentence. It seemed like it was the only way he could emphasize the idea he was talking about. I was disappointed because from where I sit, as an old codger of sixty-two years, the use of such expletives especially in a public forum was a sign of immaturity. 

Don’t get me wrong, in my early years in the military as well as the dojo I could cuss up a storm - “Like a Sailer,” as they use to say but I also felt strong that in training, in a training hall or in a traditional dojo the use of such words, etc., were inappropriate. It lacked a certain maturity.

Now, in defense, especially in today’s society, it may be acceptable to emphasize certain feelings and idea’s using certain words most of us in my youth know are cuss-words. 

In a nutshell, of one of such age, supposedly maturity and such high levels of proficiency in the discipline of martial arts has to resort to using expletives to get their point across they failed to learn about communications, they failed to reach a mature age and level and therefore may not deserve the level or grade or rank or recognition that goes along with such things.

When I think of mastery of a martial discipline I think of things like, “Maturity, Strength of Character, Strength of mind and body, high levels of discipline, great proficiency in the discipline, a certain level of enlightenment, humility beyond normal and what would be required, courage and bravery, higher levels of right behavior, good will toward all, a certain courtesy and conduct that leads by example to all who follow, a level of truth and honesty beyond reproach and many other virtues that seem to say, “Expletives are counter to these virtues, etc.” 

It seems that maybe in our teaching others the martial arts regardless of reasons be they sport or “The Way” or self-defense it is prudent that we put back into the training program the virtue of, “Maturity.” 

If one has to fall back on and resort to argumentative expletive driven emotionally driven monkey dancing to force their views and beliefs when questioned rather than to discuss, like gentlemen, and communicate theories, ideas and finally facts in support of one’s views, perceptions and perspectives then we are failing to transmit the true nature, the very essence, of martial disciplines. 

Maybe this is what some mean when they talk about “True Karate (MA)!” I would prefer to convey my viewpoint in such a way that the opposing person willingly listens, regards, validates and very possibly accepts my side but I know from experience to argue and force my views, etc. on the opposing person will just validate and reinforce their side regardless of the merits of mine - that is failure in my view and counter to martial arts morality, etc.

Bibliography (Click the link)

Standardized Kata

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Over the years I have heard organizations talk about standardizing for reasons I can only imagine. It at least appears on the surface to be beneficial but I have to wonder, why?

One such organization said they were standardizing so all Kata would be the <orgs name> way.

I have to ask, why? We're not the original way of those kata the traditional way to practice? Wouldn't changing the kata without good reason be a change for the sake of change? Would these changes not invalidate the kata from their original intent? Is it possible these changes would result in a loss of their true origins? If changed would that result in the loss of its foundational essence and possibly certain principles that make them work?

I'm not saying the change is not good but to change simply for standardization as if for control where control in and of itself damages a good learning environment and stifles progress, creativity and the natural evolution of the discipline?

Standardization is a move toward teaching subject matter rather than training the student. The focus of kata is to introduce principles to the novice and therefore standardization is not necessary. The actual patterns and techniques are not the main focus but a tool for novice conditioning so that creativity can take over where principles transcend any technique based teachings.

Due to the uniqueness of the individual, kata need only begin in a standard model but must be adjustable or "Fluid" so it can be properly adopted and adapted to the needs of each person. The structure and size of a student changes the entire dynamics of kata practice, applications as to principles and toward understanding. This adaptability is critical for the individual who may need to apply the discipline to Self-Defense.

Bibliography (Click the link)

Birds and Karate (Martial Disciplines)

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

There are kata; there are styles; there are systems; there are individuals but all of them must grow beyond those levels. Birds born are in the nest, the dojo system training environment, where the parent birds take care of them but after a while little birds, novice and students, must leave the nest to seek out their place in the world and their purpose in that world - alone. The parent birds have a responsibility to kick that novice/student out of the nest.

The little novice/student bird knows what is expected but they do not rely on the parent birds to feed them, to keep them warm in the nest and to protect them from predators - Little bird must move on and experience life so they can survive.

The little bird must fly into the vastness of the sky, spread its wings and take its instincts and teachings toward higher and higher levels of experiences, proficiency and mastery making them less a target by predators and able to avoid, evade and escape those predators who do target them. 

This is “Shu-ha-ri.” In the “Ha” stage one must go beyond their system, style and sensei to discover those principles and methodologies apropos to their needs, abilities and beliefs. 

In short, there comes a time when styles and systems limit you, do you have the courage to venture beyond your limits to gain the sky. Welcome to the sky! Do you as Sensei know your students well enough, have a solid connection and are willing to kick them out of the nest?

Bibliography (Click the link)

Winning vs. Not Losing

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Why the difference, isn’t it actually the same but with different semantics? Not really, it is about a mind-set. 

When you decide you just have to win at what ever you do that mind-set often sets you at just one path. Most who want to win will choose one method to get to that goal. I have to knock this person out to win or I have to make them submit to win and then they choose a technique to reach that goal be it a hook shot or a arm bar or what ever. 

When you decide your goal is to not lose then it doesn’t matter who or what you encounter because you are leaving your mind open to any and all possibilities. You don’t care who is attacking you or with what means, your goal is to NOT LOSE so you do what ever is required in that moment in that situation to accomplish that goal. You are not focused on what it takes to win against this or that opponent, you are only focused on finding the methodology necessary to achieve your goal - to NOT LOSE. 

It is like karate wants to win so since it is karate we want to win with our tools, tools that may limit you such as fist, hit hard and win but what if your fist doesn’t get the job done. Even karate today when they drop the win mind-set and recalibrate with a not-lose mind-set then they can expand beyond the technique based model most taught and focus on a attack/defense model with methodologies such as, “Actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc.”

If we will admit to ourselves that once we take a mind-set into a mind-state of “Winning,” then we start to focus on that “One Thing” that will gain us the victory. If we then recalibrate our minds to a goal of, “Not Losing,” We then focus not on any one adversary or attacker because that is not a given when attacked, we have to cover a larger field of possibilities so in lieu of one method to win against this one opponent we have to train our minds and bodies to not lose against a total unknown who may be a social oriented attacker or an asocial predator or an asocial predator of resource or process type or other possibilities and that means training principles toward application of methodologies as indicated above. 

Wining often focuses on a subject matter appropriate to winning while not losing often focusses on teaching the practitioner to read a goal when the attack situation is unknown. Winning to my view means sport and a known entity as an adversary, not losing in my view means fighting, combatives and defense models with an unknown entity as an attacker who uses methodologies also unknown to you. 

Winning has outcomes mostly about losing that don’t result in grave bodily harm or possible death. Competitors and competitor mind-sets associated with the term “Winning and Losing,” know that the outcome will not result in such harm or death but when you assume a goal of “Winning” when attacked as described herein then grave bodily harm and possibly death are definitely on the table and your mind knows this consciously yet if you train to win, and your lizard makes the sport competition association, if you lose you often lose a great deal more than a trophy. 

Not Losing has outcomes about reaching a goal of stopping the damage, defending against grave bodily harm and possibly death and staying within the self-defense square after it is over. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Kata: To Visualize or not to Visualize

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Thanks to Andreas Alamen who posed these or similar questions on Ryukyu Martial Arts wall on October 14th, 2015. These are my comments and my beliefs on the questions and the subject. 

Q: While performing a kata, do you visualize applications?

Answer/Comment: This is not a yes or no question for me as it depends. I do visualize but it isn’t always the bunkai. I also don’t have set bunkai so I can visualize something different each instance of bunkai visualization. More importantly and more often than bunkai visualization I use visualization of principles. What I mean is when doing kata I also spend a lot of time focusing on the application of principles within the kata. 

Is my structure, balance and alignment optimal? Am I wasting energy or am I generating and transferring energy properly through my body toward power and force in the bunkai of the moment? Things like this are visualized, tested and applied during basics, kata practice and into drills - sparring is a whole nother topic with a lot of variables within that practice as well but I do work toward applying principles regardless of the technique/bunkai. 

The goal here is to apply models of attack/defense methodologies, i.e., “Actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc.” 

Initially, teaching newbies, I tend to have them focus first on the various techniques, then on rhythm and cadence, then on possible bunkai once they have the pattern down well and add in as I go the principles of physiokinetics to make sure they are applying the kata from principles and not just ROTE learned patterns. I would rather they learn one good kata in this manner and build on that until proficiency allows them to assimilate other kata in a matter of days then try to build up a quantity of kata just so they can qualify for a grade, etc. 

In short, kata are tools to teach principles and those principles teach how to reach goals in conflict and violence without trying to memorize and encode technique based response. It is like the old saying I read the other day on a blog, “Teach your students, not just subject matter.” 

Q: Do you always visualize bunkai or is your kata used as a moving meditative application, etc.?

Answer/Comment: This is what is so wonderful about kata practice. They are forms of exercise, they are forms of moving meditation and they are tools that teach us principles of which include both self-defense principles and principles of the chemical cocktail. Add in theory, technique and philosophy and you have a “One wholehearted and Holistic” model and discipline. 

Because of this wide range of applicability in karate or any martial discipline it provides a means of heathy and fit goals that it allows a practitioner to practice way into the age of our winter years. This is one reason why martial artists tend to age well and practice into their eighties, ninties and even into the hundreds in some cases - Okinawans are known to have more people living past one hundred years in a health and productive way (not just from MA but a combination where movement and diet are key).

Q: Do you view formal kata as a meditative exercise, or a strictly practical one? 

Answer/Comment: As stated already, both and more. 

Q: Does your answer change for different kata?

Answer/Comment: No, the kata itself actually makes no difference. The different kata are just manifestations of other karate-ka’s personal perceptions and beliefs that are implemented and show that to others. It is still the same and identical principles that are found within all those so-called different kata and systems that are important. 

Remember, this is my seat in the auditorium and there are many other seats so take it all with a grain of curiosity and interest. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

How Many Kata?

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

A question bantered about the internet about mastering kata, i.e., is it better to master six kata as to depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and proficiency as to mastery or is it better to learn a slew, i.e., twenty or more kata, of kata superficially yet beautiful as to presentation. Then there is the often asked question relating kata to ability in self-defense. 

Focus is so heavy on kata as to quantity vs. presentation vs. application we fail to recognize that it is not a matter of how many kata we learn or how well we understand those kata. We fail to realize that we don’t have to actually learn one or even one hundred kata but what we actually need to learn are those principles found in all kata regardless of its origins, i.e., as to a personal kata by an individual to those of a system or style created also by an individual perception and perspective, etc. 

All basics, both upper and lower; all kata, regardless of style such as Isshinryu, Gojuryu, Shorinryu and so on and all drills contrived from kata and basics are all based on and rise up from principles such as, “Theory, Physiokinetic, Technique, Philosophy, Self-Defense and Chemical Cocktail.” This with a strong emphasis on the physiokinetic principles of, “Breathing, posture, triangle guard, centerline, primary gate, spinal alignment, axis, minor axis, structure, heaviness, relaxation, wave energy, convergence, centeredness, triangulation point, the dynamic sphere, body-mind, void, centripetal force, centrifugal force, sequential locking and sequential relaxation, peripheral vision, tactile sensitivity, rooting, attack hubs, attack posture, possibly the chemical cocktail, Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat].”

There is an old story of a student who was required to practice certain basic fundamentals of an art form for years. The student was learning about the art of telling a story. He got a bit disappointed that he was not taught other stories so he finally got to a point where he just quit. He was traveling the roads when he stopped at an Inn to beg for food and drink. There was a round of story telling occurring at that Inn and he was asked if he knew a story to tell. If the story was good he would be fed and given drink. The young student told his story. During the telling the room got very, very quiet, i.e., as if a hush of emptiness enveloped everyone so that they could hear every word, syllable and nuance of the telling. When the story finished everyone within hearing simple sat with dumfounded looks of surprise and satisfaction. The Inn keeper immediately brought a plate of his very best along with the most expensive drink he stored at the Inn and simply placed them reverently in front of the student. The student thanked him profusely and asked what was the matter as the atmosphere had changed significantly after his story were told. The Inn keeper simply stated, “We have heard from a Master story teller.” Needless to say, the student was totally taken aback but then realized that his teacher’s methods were in and of themselves masterful and the student realized why he was required to practice the same story over and over again toward certain foundational principles rather than many, many stories. The master was providing the student with those principles that would provide a masterful story regardless of what story was told. The student finished his meal and drink, excused himself to all those at the Inn and especially the Inn keeper and sped off back to the Master where he requested he be allowed to continue his studies.

As can be seen it is not a matter of what kata or how many but how it is told. If the foundation is solid and the principles mastered then no matter what kata or basics or drills practiced all would show mastery regardless. Any kata, basic or drill learned would be learned rapidly and the underlying mastered principles would make that kata, masterful. 

Herein lies the secret to kata and to how many one should learn. Learn the principles and practice those principles and no matter the system, the style of the individual kata - all will be as if a master was demonstrating the discipline. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Sensei to Deshi; Senpai to Kohai; Tori to Uke - To Teach, To Coach and To Mentor

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Idea/Ideology: Reading an outline of the Marine Raider leadership outline three distinct traits came out that I felt not only apply to military training but also to martial arts training. This is especially critical because the type of training I tend to advocate in martial arts is one toward self-defense where grave bodily harm or even death are on the table. 

I found that to teach, to coach and to mentor a practitioner in martial arts for self-defense requires this unique form of teach, training and application. It describes fundamentally how a Sensei, a Senpai and a relationship of the Tori-uke are necessary to provide the level of capacity in expertise to fully integrate the high level of skills and innate talent necessary to apply MA-SD in a challenging, changing and chaotic environment of conflict and violence. 

Teaching: this aspect is about building a knowledge base that is ever changing and growing. It is concerned with the teaching of skills with knowledge and understanding. It is a synergic effort instill an environment, the dojo at first, that is open and effective in a more academic environment. It is in a formal yet not formal classroom like place and it means the sensei, senpai and tori-uke models must use their positions as a knowledge base that includes sourcing to other knowledge bases for data-mining, etc. Key to success in teaching is the ability to remain open to idea’s and skills that change constantly along with updates to academic knowledge, etc. 

In teaching to build a fundamental foundation and base to build and construct knowledge and understanding you teach not to impress but to inform and deliver as well as receive and update knowledge therefore creating individual confidence and enthusiasm. Teaching is to teach all those aspects toward proper, efficient and productive performances not just academic but also physical, mental and spiritual. 

Teaching is one of those things that seems to stand alone in most martial classrooms because, in my view and limited experiences, those classrooms don’t know that teaching alone is not enough for a physical defensive system like martial arts. Teaching is the first of three, a triad of teaching, couaching and mentoring. Sensei, Senpai and tori-uke must achieve a full triad to be sensei, senpai and tori-uke in a dojo.

Teaching naturally requires coaching, the ability to take the knowledge, experiences, understanding and skills of the system and create a holistic whole of the individual practitioner into what makes them a whole martial artists in self-defense, combatives and fighting through a physical, mental and spiritual holistic whole to make a wholehearted practitioner of MA-SD.

A teacher-coach must have the ability to take all the myriad skills, abilities, knowledge and understanding of the system through the user of personal example, experience, motivation and inspiration to develop the techniques, tactics and strategies necessary to transmit the system over just teaching. The teacher-coach must be a participant as well, a player if you will. This is one of the reasons why participation of an active nature is critical in MA-SD, it is how the teacher-coach transmits by example through his or her base of skill, etc., that will build the same in the individuals so that both can “Concurrently” develop, build and apply the system along with creating a cohesive bond thus increasing skills progressively ergo the use of the Sensei-Deshi, Senpai-Kohai and tori-uke relational-training symbiotic connection.

The teacher-coach role naturally requires the final leg for the triad of teacher, coach and mentor, that builds and supports the system into a dynamic whole best suited to build a solid foundation toward a system that will result in higher levels of expertise, experience, knowledge and skill. The final leg of the triad is “Mentoring,” a more individual aspect.

Mentoring is the absolute corner-stone of the dojo, the system and they style that is martial arts self-defense. It is about inspiration of both the mentor and the mentored. The relationship already built becomes solid as if in a brotherhood survival group dynamic that adheres proponents in an physical, mental and emotional connection unparalleled in the nature of group survival instincts and so on. It is one of those connections that comes from an open and cohesive bond between individuals with emphasis on a desire toward professional development, personal interactions more conducive to proper learning and conditioning, and to future aspirations in the profession. 

Look at the mentor as the proverbial “Sage,” a counselor to the younger, inexperienced, dojo member. Mentoring is a holistic blend of teaching and coaching aspects of performance overall while cementing a bond that makes for the Sensei-Deshi, Senpai-Kohai and Tori-Uke model in martial arts. It provides a connection built on trust, respect and proper attitude so that communications remain open and accepting in concern for the indificual, the group and the dojo. 

It becomes important to anyone seeking out martial arts for self-defense, combatives and fighting to seek out those who have embraced the teaching, coaching and mentoring model. It is a absolute critical aspect of military leadership but also can be found throughout all disciplines of the physical, mental and spiritual. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Effortless Technique

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

In a recent post, here taken I am sure out of context, it was stated, “The reason I practice and constantly repeat practicing until my technique look's as if it is perform effortlessly.” Now, I am sure that the author of said quotation had more meaning to go with it but in the written form as it appeared it lacked that greater explanation that would have led to a fuller understanding of what was meant, i.e., assuming that I actually understood what the author meant but until it is questioned we may never know. This is a particular issue with teaching by the written word or through video’s and often as it true of modern martial arts what is said in the dojo when explaining things.

I remember long ago another instructor came up to me after a session and said fundamentally that I talked to much, gave way to much information to which I politely disagreed. He meant that to remain true to the traditions of martial arts from the Asian theater we must be less vocal and allow the student to seek out and discover things for themselves to which I politely disagreed because that way of instruction is about their cultural system where shi-kata dominates and the expectation that observation and the demonstration thought the kata system (not just martial arts but socially in all disciplines in this society). We don’t live or even practice in such a belief system and our culture is vastly different. Americans need, want and must have such conversations to derive a full and complete understanding therefore helping along with explanations is critical along with other operant conditioning type instructions, etc.

Granted, trying to provide way to much information verbally often gets lost because humans only retain a certain amount but that is where true repetitive practice and study come into play because over time students will have these “Oh crap” moments where they will come to realize, “Oh, that is what sensei meant, I get it now.”

So, when I read the full statement with this one quote in it, i.e., “The reason I practice and constantly repeat practicing until my technique look's as if it is perform effortlessly.” I got a bit concerned that for those without more experience, training, study and understanding might “Assume” that to achieve proficient application of martial arts in fighting, combatives and/or self-defense you just have to practice a lot and repetitively and truthfully that “Just ain’t so.” 

Now, we can not assume that the student/practitioner knows and understands what “Practicing” means to its fullest such as knowledge of self-defense in modern society, adrenal stress-conditioned reality based training and actual use of said ability toward force levels and so on. The last thing any self-respecting, dedicated and morally driven instructor wants is for a student facing a violent situation to find that they cannot defend because they assumed that simply repeating a movement will actually make it work in reality. One of the reasons I write and teach with this in mind is I would feel awful if one of my students got badly hurt or died because I failed them in teaching the proper way. Knowing of the person who made this quote I feel they would have the same feelings for their students as well. 

Now, I also disagree that constantly repetitive practice along until my technique “Looks” as if I perform it “effortlessly” does not jell to well for me as to its viability in a self-defense or combative situation.  I believe a huge fallacy of most martial arts instructions is “Making it LOOK powerful” actually means its performance tends to look good but often means bleeding off of energy in the body in lieu of energy, power and force being transmitted through the body and into a target (another complete article all on its own here).  Most of those demonstrations are about looking good but violent the fundamental principles you need to achieve proficiency in such situations of conflict and violence. 

Effortlessly is also misunderstood because an effortless application actually is very hard to detect and maximizes the energy power and force transmission to where one perceives something but cannot put their finger on what that is. It also boils down to what one perceives as effortlessly because I don’t see to many article defining what performing effortlessly means. Just because it makes something assume that the performance is being done as if no effort is required does not truly define that effortless effort.

An effortless effort is a complex thing and explaining it will take another full article at a minimum but to actually know when you reach such a level is when you are in a violent encounter, often when you failed to actually use self-defense, and your effort results in all the physiokinetic principles such as structure, balance, centeredness, etc. align like the planets in the heavens and your attacker actually demonstrates how the body reacts when it is the recipient of all the power and force you can actually generate and transfer to that persons target. Even this explanation is limited and incomplete. And NO, I will not give you that excuse too often used that you MUST learn it hands on and in person with a qualified instructor ON THE DOJO FLOOR. When that happens I have seldom witnessed anyone actually convey it that way ON THE DOJO FLOOR.

I use a forum on a blog to demonstrate why meme’s and quotations are great learning tools but always require “Full and Complete” explanations, etc. to begin to understand. I call this site a Karate Koan like quotation where I provide comments to help explain but also say that continuous and repetitive study along with training, practice and mental/physical meditative contemplation over the life of study and practice are necessary to achieve a more enlightened understanding are REQUIRED. YOU CANNOT TAKE OR ASSUME THAT ONE READING OF A QUOTE CONVEYS ALL MEANING because that just ain’t so.

In the end, a caveat should be presented that with article and especially singular quotations must be accompanied by either a greater explanation as to meaning or that it requires that along the path of study, over time and with experience. Otherwise the meme or quote is just a neat thing to attack attention or make yourself look wise and enlightened.  

Effortless effort, looking a certain way, repeating practice are not the end all of martial arts study and practice. One reason it is something you can do for the long haul in life. It can lead you to many ways, many paths and many perspective preceptive views all unique to each individual either presenting or receiving. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

p.s. remember, like all this of this nature, it is true that "Effortless effort" is a part of overall training and practice but as to how that manifests is the hard part of it all and it is not what folks think it is …