Friday, October 13, 2006
Teaching
A fellow martial art instructor recently sent this by e-mail:
"One of my students upon making black belt was asked if he could name one thing in his character that improved as a function of his training. His response? "I learned that the only reason I have to look down on anyone, is to help them up!" Give me one moment every year like that and I'll be the happiest guy in the world!" - Sid Rubinfeld
I think this is how many of us teaching martial arts feel. We have the ability to teach much more than just physical skills, and as Sid stated, it is one of the greatest feelings to see a student learn, grow, and become a better person through the arts.
We should all strive to live and teach as Sid does, and have students that are learning such lessons.
Thanks for your example Sid!
Alain
"One of my students upon making black belt was asked if he could name one thing in his character that improved as a function of his training. His response? "I learned that the only reason I have to look down on anyone, is to help them up!" Give me one moment every year like that and I'll be the happiest guy in the world!" - Sid Rubinfeld
I think this is how many of us teaching martial arts feel. We have the ability to teach much more than just physical skills, and as Sid stated, it is one of the greatest feelings to see a student learn, grow, and become a better person through the arts.
We should all strive to live and teach as Sid does, and have students that are learning such lessons.
Thanks for your example Sid!
Alain
Sunday, October 01, 2006
The Gentle Way
I first started judo when I was in high school back in 1982. While I now practice and teach hapkido and self-defense classes, I have not forgotten my judo roots. One of the first things taught in judo is the principle of ju, or gentleness. Judo actually means the gentle way. (do meaning way)
To help with the meaning of ju, one should look at a couple of mottos that were expounded by Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, "Best use of energy," and "Minimum effort, maximum efficiency." If your partner pulls with a strong force, you must go with the pull instead of resisting it, and then add your own strength to the initial force. This increases the momentum of the force being used. If you resist being pushed, and push back, energy is neutralized and the best use of energy and maximum efficiency is lost.
Yielding to an oncoming force gives rise to efficient techniques and blends the combined forces. This harmony of technique is a basic principle of ju, and leads to the perfection of all underlying principles of judo and also the achievement of balance of harmony within the mind and body, which Jigoro Kano always spoke of as the highest goal.
When you are practicing your martial art, study the philosophical principles as well as the physical techniques. Kano taught the judo philosophy as a way of life, and the study of such philosophical principles a critical part of learning judo. Other arts have similar philosophical teachings, and all of us as martial artists much study, learn, practice, and teach those aspects as well as the physical ones.
I also encourage you to study the philosophy found in other arts. If you don't train in judo, take a moment and analyze what you just learned about ju, and how it may apply to your own art. All of us should be striving for the best use of energy and achieving maximum efficiency with minimum effort. Take a look at the techniques you are currently learning, practicing, or teaching and analyze them as to their efficiency and effectiveness. This philosophical mental discipline will improve not only your mind, but once applied, your physical execution of techniques as well.
Yours in Training,
Alain
To help with the meaning of ju, one should look at a couple of mottos that were expounded by Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, "Best use of energy," and "Minimum effort, maximum efficiency." If your partner pulls with a strong force, you must go with the pull instead of resisting it, and then add your own strength to the initial force. This increases the momentum of the force being used. If you resist being pushed, and push back, energy is neutralized and the best use of energy and maximum efficiency is lost.
Yielding to an oncoming force gives rise to efficient techniques and blends the combined forces. This harmony of technique is a basic principle of ju, and leads to the perfection of all underlying principles of judo and also the achievement of balance of harmony within the mind and body, which Jigoro Kano always spoke of as the highest goal.
When you are practicing your martial art, study the philosophical principles as well as the physical techniques. Kano taught the judo philosophy as a way of life, and the study of such philosophical principles a critical part of learning judo. Other arts have similar philosophical teachings, and all of us as martial artists much study, learn, practice, and teach those aspects as well as the physical ones.
I also encourage you to study the philosophy found in other arts. If you don't train in judo, take a moment and analyze what you just learned about ju, and how it may apply to your own art. All of us should be striving for the best use of energy and achieving maximum efficiency with minimum effort. Take a look at the techniques you are currently learning, practicing, or teaching and analyze them as to their efficiency and effectiveness. This philosophical mental discipline will improve not only your mind, but once applied, your physical execution of techniques as well.
Yours in Training,
Alain
