There are no secrets in budo or life, only what you know to be true in your heart.
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Our weapons and unarmed techniques number in their many hundreds, but rather than try to memorize all these different waza, we learn to search out the most appropriate technique for each situation that we find ourselves in. It's impossible to have a list of recommended techniques for every occasion, so instead we learn to use our basic techniques in many different ways and against many different people. In this way we always have familiar and well trained techniques at hand.
The techniques though numerous and difficult to master, are just the starting point, the key lies in understanding what happens in the space and time between each successive movement or technique, and to begin to learn how to control the balance of speed, power, timing and technique through each moment.
Real Budo is beyond technique.
| The following are some personal thoughts and misunderstandings gained through my ongoing training - mostly reminders of things I forget that I already know; Training correctly is the only way we can improve our ability. I wish I were much more skilful than I am at present, but wishing just doesn't get it done. Every time I go back to Japan or I see someone who is more skilled than I, I wish I had trained more, but of course that's no good and once again I've left it too late. Should've learned by now! Put your heart and soul into the training, as well as your body. Shin-Gi-Tai (mind,heart,spirit-technique-body), each of these three elements must not be lacking if the training is to be of benefit. Don't just go through the motions if you want to be able to use this stuff in the outside world against people that would do us harm. There's much more to our training than just learning the order of the techniques, that's only the first step. Then comes learning the 1,000 changes and 10,000 variations, whilst at the same time constantly refining our understanding of timing, distance and what Sensei calls nagare - the flow of actions from one moment to the next; (and that's just for starters). Make sure that you don't injure people in training. Of course we are practicing martial arts, so pain and discomfort are to be expected, but to injure someone in training (who is kind enough to allow us to do the technique on them in the first place,) is not correct. If you can do the technique correctly and effectively without causing injury to your training partner, then you should also be able to cause injury outside of training when you need to. Please remember that training isn't fighting; fighting is fighting, (it's different - people aren't so friendly and they struggle a lot more). So many people get this wrong, why? Train with the best people that you can find, treat them with respect and learn all you can. Find someone with ability, understanding and who enjoys what they do. A good teacher will never take their grade more seriously than their true ability. Don't forget to practice the basics, and don't be afraid to practice techniques slowly, precisely and correctly. Rushing through techniques is a waste of time; learn to control both yourself, the opponent, and the space in between, guarding your weak points, and being aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep Going! So simple it's difficult, keep moving - don't stop, keep training - don't stop, keep learning - don't stop. Keep wondering, don't limit yourself, and, let this training take you forwards to something new, something more. Don't worry about which level of which school a certain technique comes from, in a fight it won't matter. Knowing the true nature of a technique is far more useful. It's very important to find a way of enjoying the training, otherwise it may be difficult to continue it throughout your whole life. These arts have survived by changing, to understand them we must also change, not just with the bigger events, but also by adapting and adjusting to the small changes that others would normally miss without the awareness that comes with training in living Budo. Understand that even the slightest change in distance, movement, timing, alignment (kamae) or attitude (mind or spirit), in either yourself or your opponents, requires that your technique and flow must adapt accordingly. Once you realize this you can go beyond being a mere collector or performer of techniques, and begin to train in an endless world of learning and application, where the name of a particular waza is irrelevant. The technique is only the starting point. Real budo is endlessly changing without name or form. Your real grade is the quality of your Taijutsu and your actions, the certificate is just a piece of paper. To understand this Budo correctly, we need to change our minds/bodies so that we can begin to understand it in the same way that our teacher understands it, if not we will never make any real progress, - Change your mind, change your body . If a tree falls in a forest, (and there's no one there to teach you, do you move out of the way?), ..... - just kidding ! The more I put into training, the more I get out of it. How about you? |