Journey to a new style...

[Gerry Seymour]

There are too many instructors who aren't well-schooled in their art. Their students end up being not well-schooled as well and when becoming instructors themselves, simply continue this trend, unaware of the deficiency in their knowledge. As these instructors may hold multi-dan rank and have physical skills, it's hard for new students to realize their school has a poor sizzle-to-steak ratio.

I think some lineages (for lack of a better term - a progressive string of instructors and their students who become instructors) get focused on specifics of the positions (what things should look like) rather than the mechanical principles involved. The students try to exactly copy what their instructor had them do, but trying to be an exact mechanical copy will always lead to loss of information. Some of those instructors will be pretty good. Some will struggle. Even those who break out of that mold will struggle to teach the things they got easily, because they didn't ever really figure them out - they just did them and they worked.

 

[_Simon_164 194]

Now I find myself in a learning dilemma!

Ooh, do tell!

I think learning (and testing for that matter) can take many forms, each emphasising different aspects and qualities on a spectrum. I think people can get very rigid with objectivity or an idealistic standard, eg this school's training/test doesn't have this so therefore it's not "legit"! This probably comes down to definitional limitations. Each school tends to emphasise certain aspects over another. As long as a school is honest about what they do it's fine.

I guess I'm at a point where I want to learn other aspects which my school doesn't seem to go into in any depth.

 

[Gyakuto164 173]

Ooh, do tell!

The Iai world is so small and filled with egotistical ‘ninnyhammers’ I’d rather not elaborate. Some of the worst people I’ve met are in the field of swordsmanship

I think learning (and testing for that matter) can take many forms, each emphasising different aspects and qualities on a spectrum. I think people can get very rigid with objectivity or an idealistic standard, eg this school's training/test doesn't have this so therefore it's not "legit"! This probably comes down to definitional limitations. Each school tends to emphasise certain aspects over another. As long as a school is honest about what they do it's fine.

I guess I'm at a point where I want to learn other aspects which my school doesn't seem to go into in any depth.

I think many people reach this point at some time in their training journey, but your crisis point has been hastened by the various characteristics of your teach. I’m sure you can find a way to train elsewhere and support your current teacher; you’re clearly a nice person and don’t want to cause upset.

 

[_Simon_164 194]

I... have decided to go for my nidan

I’ve been really attended to in class and had hours of one-on-one, really going through material and making sure I'm confident. And I do feel a huge deal more confident. I'm still not thrilled in general how it felt handled and rushed to me, but it has been great to get such great instruction and care.

I really am very fond of my instructor, and he is actually incredibly knowledgeable. I probably let my emotions speak too much prior.. he is very knowledgeable in his teaching ability and base of knowledge. There is still stuff that isn't there that I really do want to delve into, which I still feel I won't find here.

So, I will attempt my nidan grading. I had been doing extra cardio, conditioning, training preparing like I would be anyway, albeit with more of a technical focus. I won't be going BONKERS with cardio and insane mountain run challenges like last grading haha... but my cardio/fitness/condition is already at a level I'm really happy with, so I don't think I have to worry on that front.

So here we are! I will evaluate things in the next few weeks or months after my grading to see where my head/heart is at.

Everyone seems to unequivocally say to go for my grading, and this one will mean something on a different level. Working through so much mental/emotional turmoil and doubt seems to be the journey here... Shodan meant something different, so will this one. The MA are full of different challenges huh...

Thank you all for all your encouragement and level perspectives, it was truly helpful

 

[Simfers164 71]

I'm sure you'll do great. You got the skills, you got the attitude, you're in shape, you're gonna crush this.

 

[Gyakuto164 173]

There is still stuff that isn't there that I really do want to delve into, which I still feel I won't find here.

I’m going to play devil’s advocate here and I’m not slighting you in anyway (much as I’d like to )

As a shodan, the lowest level of competency and understanding, how do you know what you should be learning and have knowledge of? Are you even able to perform a , say, straight punch properly (I only began to learn how to cut more effectively recently after the many observations I’ve made over years suddenly opened up to me like a bolt out of the blue!️). You are very keen but I wonder if the desire to progress needs to be reigned in somewhat and your current abilities allowed to mature.

Maybe you should just trust your teacher’s method even if it appears suboptimal to your level of understanding.

I have no doubt that you’ll be worthy of your successful nidan attempt.

 

[Stuarto113]

Simon, you got a lot of heart brother, and I can tell you have a deep passion for your art. I'm sure you will do fantastic on your test and will walk out a proud Nidan Looking forward to hearing how it goes!

 

[_Simon_164 194]

I'm sure you'll do great. You got the skills, you got the attitude, you're in shape, you're gonna crush this.

Really appreciate that brother, thank you so much

 

[_Simon_164 194]

I’m going to play devil’s advocate here and I’m not slighting you in anyway (much as I’d like to )

As a shodan, the lowest level of competency and understanding, how do you know what you should be learning and have knowledge of? Are you even able to perform a , say, straight punch properly (I only began to learn how to cut more effectively recently after the many observations I’ve made over years suddenly opened up to me like a bolt out of the blue!️). You are very keen but I wonder if the desire to progress needs to be reigned in somewhat and your current abilities allowed to mature.

Maybe you should just trust your teacher’s method even if it appears suboptimal to your level of understanding.

I have no doubt that you’ll be worthy of your successful nidan attempt.

That is a great question, and trust me it is one I have considered. It's an observational thing, and also having experienced the other teachings/principles.

I have considered that route of just trusting my teacher, but of course I feel that can often be a very slippery slope of not developing or using my own critical thinking. I always watched and listen carefully to people. What they say, how they say and present it, and what's underlying what they say.

I am also not a fan of hiding or having secret teachings. I do believe there are things that can only be introduced later once foundational understandings have been made, but not in a sense of hiding very important fundamental stuff. It doesn't seem as though this is being done here, but hey, I could be totally off.

But I am very well aware that shodan is on the lower end of the yudansha ranking, so I'll always be wary of that and keep myself open and receptive. The worst thing to blunt one's growth is believing you know it all, and I'm exploring the opposite: actively pursuing more that I don't know.

I will keep that mind for sure, and appreciate you bringing it up. I personally don't feel I'm jumping the gun or too eager beyond what is realistic in developing, but I will keep check on myself.

And my punch I have certainly developed over the years, but still always constantly working on it haha. The Kyokushin instructor really encouraged me to use my punches more in sparring, was very complimentary and said he was surprised how much he felt the punches through the body shield (I tend to use kicks more!).

I do love those moments, that's awesome you had that ️️️

And thank you so much, that means alot

 

[_Simon_164 194]

Simon, you got a lot of heart brother, and I can tell you have a deep passion for your art. I'm sure you will do fantastic on your test and will walk out a proud Nidan Looking forward to hearing how it goes!

Thank you so, so much

 

[Gyakuto164 173]

That is a great question, and trust me it is one I have considered. It's an observational thing, and also having experienced the other teachings/principles.

I have considered that route of just trusting my teacher, but of course I feel that can often be a very slippery slope of not developing or using my own critical thinking.

Critical thinking? In the Japanese martial arts? You’re clearly not in a traditional school!

Seriously though, it is a good skill to develop and martial ‘nouse’

I am also not a fan of hiding or having secret teachings.

I agree. I think they’re a means of holding students back for as long as possible for the teacher’s benefit.

I do believe there are things that can only be introduced later once foundational understandings have been made, but not in a sense of hiding very important fundamental stuff. It doesn't seem as though this is being done here, but hey, I could be totally off.

I’ve come across this professionally too; researchers hold key details back to prevent others taking the lead

But I am very well aware that shodan is on the lower end of the yudansha ranking,

‘Lower end’? You’re virtually algae, subliminal sea slime, shodans are the dirt that accumulates in mobile phone USB charging ports

so I'll always be wary of that and keep myself open and receptive. The worst thing to blunt one's growth is believing you know it all, and I'm exploring the opposite: actively pursuing more that I don't know.

The Japanese have a word for that taken from Zen ‘shōshinsha’

I will keep that mind for sure, and appreciate you bringing it up. I personally don't feel I'm jumping the gun or too eager beyond what is realistic in developing, but I will keep check on myself.

You’re a rare amongst martial artists; introspective, a thinker and that’ll take you a long way.

And my punch I have certainly developed over the years, but still always constantly working on it haha. The Kyokushin instructor really encouraged me to use my punches more in sparring, was very complimentary and said he was surprised how much he felt the punches through the body shield (I tend to use kicks more!).

Punching is curious thing to get right and I remember trying to extinguish lit candles with my punches to develop my SNAP! Keeping floppy until the very last instant over and over. Now I do something similar with cutting practise.

I do love those moments, that's awesome you had that ️️️

They get rarer with time…

And thank you so much, that means alot

Don’t forget, subliminal sea slime….

 

[_Simon_164 194]

Critical thinking? In the Japanese martial arts? You’re clearly not in a traditional school!

Seriously though, it is a good skill to develop and martial ‘nouse’

I agree. I think they’re a means of holding students back for as long as possible for the teacher’s benefit.

I’ve come across this professionally too; researchers hold key details back to prevent others taking the lead

‘Lower end’? You’re virtually algae, subliminal sea slime, shodans are the dirt that accumulates in mobile phone USB charging ports

The Japanese have a word for that taken from Zen ‘shōshinsha’

You’re a rare amongst martial artists; introspective, a thinker and that’ll take you a long way.

Punching is curious thing to get right and I remember trying to extinguish lit candles with my punches to develop my SNAP! Keeping floppy until the very last instant over and over. Now I do something similar with cutting practise.

They get rarer with time…

Don’t forget, subliminal sea slime….

Thank you for the kind words, and for the laughs

 

[isshinryuronin54 54]

And my punch I have certainly developed over the years, but still always constantly working on it haha

After 20 years I had an excellent punch. It took me over 40 years to get my punch to where I felt it's fully developed and executed to the max of my potential. That's one journey I've completed - very satisfying.

 

[isshinryuronin54 54]

To add to the above post:

In my experience, progress in TMA is capricious; sometimes deliberate, coming by way of sweat and proper drilling while at other times by itself, suddenly arriving unbidden. Once the basics are achieved further progress is mostly a collection of nuanced subtleties - the various ways the hips are employed, the way weight is transferred, the timing of tension and relaxation, dozens of other things that must "feel right to you" and not the least, one's open mental state.

This progress cannot be planned or even expected as these subtleties are not in a set continuum. For some, they come in one order, for others they appear in a different order. And there is no way to predict the timeframe. It's even more unpredictable as some subtleties are prerequisites for others and there is little way to know just what needs to come first - likely different for everyone. Each person, and each part of the person must experience the feeling of each nuance and fit it in with all the others.

This is why patience and lack of ego are so important at these higher levels (past 2nd and 3rd degree), why one shouldn't try too hard to further advance and stress out over it. Sure, the work has to be put in, but time must be permitted for the body to naturally "discover" and synthesize all these nuanced subtleties. In a way, don't look forward anticipating progress, but rather reflect on it once achieved. IMO, this hindsight is even more satisfying.

 

[_Simon_164 194]

To add to the above post:

In my experience, progress in TMA is capricious; sometimes deliberate, coming by way of sweat and proper drilling while at other times by itself, suddenly arriving unbidden. Once the basics are achieved further progress is mostly a collection of nuanced subtleties - the various ways the hips are employed, the way weight is transferred, the timing of tension and relaxation, dozens of other things that must "feel right to you" and not the least, one's open mental state.

This progress cannot be planned or even expected as these subtleties are not in a set continuum. For some, they come in one order, for others they appear in a different order. And there is no way to predict the timeframe. It's even more unpredictable as some subtleties are prerequisites for others and there is little way to know just what needs to come first - likely different for everyone. Each person, and each part of the person must experience the feeling of each nuance and fit it in with all the others.

This is why patience and lack of ego are so important at these higher levels (past 2nd and 3rd degree), why one shouldn't try too hard to further advance and stress out over it. Sure, the work has to be put in, but time must be permitted for the body to naturally "discover" and synthesize all these nuanced subtleties. In a way, don't look forward anticipating progress, but rather reflect on it once achieved. IMO, this hindsight is even more satisfying.

Really well said and great food for contemplation.. thank you

 

[_Simon_164 194]

Well that's that! Training's going well, been training like an absolute madman haha, and now am a week out so will taper off and focus on recovery and light technique. Slight knee injury (either meniscus or MCL, inner portion which I've never had) but it's very low grade so rehabbing that. Essay is done just needs being typed. Feeling ready.

 

[isshinryuronin54 54]

Well that's that! Training's going well, been training like an absolute madman haha, and now am a week out so will taper off and focus on recovery and light technique. Slight knee injury (either meniscus or MCL, inner portion which I've never had) but it's very low grade so rehabbing that. Essay is done just needs being typed. Feeling ready.

What's the topic of your essay?

 

[_Simon_164 194]

What's the topic of your essay?

The evolution, purpose and value of kata and bunkai . I've gone waaaay over the word limit (of course), but really enjoyed doing this one, I put a looot of work into it.

 

[Gyakuto164 173]

Well that's that! Training's going well, been training like an absolute madman haha, and now am a week out so will taper off and focus on recovery and light technique. Slight knee injury (either meniscus or MCL, inner portion which I've never had) but it's very low grade so rehabbing that. Essay is done just needs being typed. Feeling ready.

Have you heard of photobiomodulation? It’s that ‘red light therapy’ that seems to be popular in face masks etc to improve skin and look young etc. Recently I needed such a device to prevent some potentially painful therapy-related side effects but only had access to one by buying a second hand medical device version. It worked miracles and I was side-effect free!

Anyway, I suffer from occasional patella tendinopathy so the medical rep suggested I try it on my knees and lo and behold, no more tendinitis! It really does work. I trawled the research literature before buy it (it was hugely expensive) and the evidence was at best, sketchy but I’m glad I did buy and use it. I should add it is not like the crappy ones you can buy online but many clinics use them for clients to use. Maybe you could hasten your recovery with photobiomodulation!

 

[Gyakuto164 173]

The evolution, purpose and value of kata and bunkai . I've gone waaaay over the word limit (of course), but really enjoyed doing this one, I put a looot of work into it.

I’d like to read it when you’ve passed your grading.