Ever since I attained the rank of 1st Dan, I have been on a quest to broaden my exposure to other martial arts systems. I have been told that the learning begins, at the black belt level. I was a guest at a Tae Kwon Do dojang over the weekend. I participated in a very intense three hour workout. No water breaks, the only breather we were granted, was to adjust our uniforms. The bulk of our time was spent doing basics and hyungs. Although, I'm not a Taekwondo practioner, I can appreciate the level of difficulty associated with their acrobatic tournament style kicking techniques.
I often wonder if they are very practical in a self-defense scenario.
I was encouraged to work out with their advanced class anytime that I am available. Although, I was fatigued, I would certainly take them up on the offer. Yesterday, I worked out with a school that has its root in my system, Tang Soo Do. They happen to focus on sparring and tournament competition. for whatever reason, our school doesn't spar as much these days. So, I travel to other schools to supplement my training. Before sparring, we engaged in some stretching techniques, speed relays, and more stretching.
My last sparring partner was a female. I was very impressed with her kicking technique, she actually made contact with a few of her roundhouse kicks. I often find myself pulling back techniques when I face women. On this particular night, I learned not to do that anymore. Anyway, I know I need to work on angles and fast counters. I'm sure we'll spar again.
Brother,
As another practitioner in the Martial ways, it is enlightning to see you grasping some of the basics of what it is about. I'll admit, my training was extreemly harsh for the time I studied here in Japan. But even today, those lessons learned over 15 yrs ago, are fresh in my memory. Yes obtaining your black belt 1st degree as I have long ago, IS THE BEGGINING TO LEARNING. The beggining to UNDERSTANDING about the basics you "PRACTICED", and more so learning that you train "NOT TO FIGHT". Such as your school, we also do not indulge in "Free Sparring", believe it or not the reason is that it limits your power and technique, and builds "BAD HABITS". Conditioning your body, as you are learning is "PAINFULL" but believe me, after many of years of doing this, your bones and muscels will remain strong, long after you leave the dojo. This became evident to me, by ways of going thru our Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. I could not believe how "HARD" I struck, without much effort, and how I still could "TAKE A BLOW", over 15 years of not setting foot in a dojo. My Callosed shins and knuckles and forearms, from constant abuse of training when I was but 23, are still evident at 39. From years of hitting the Maki-wari board (A riged plank stuck in the ground to develop power), my hands were built up. Today, I still have no sensation in my first 2 knuckles and still have callosed skin from them. Unsightly yes, but non-the-less, they show the tell tale signs of a Karate-ka.
Further more, you will learn how your "Battles" and "Fights", are not so much in a ring, or dojo, but will be fought in life. Your foes will be the obstacles you face. And most important, if you give it your all in anything you do, and still are "Defeated", you are still a winner. It is those who with excusses of defeat say "I should have done this or that, which could have changed the outcome" that are trully defeated. A victor, learns to see those alternate ways, as he battles, and adjust accordingly. As an example, take swimming against the tide. (How many people have drowned fighting it....) You learn "Fighting" it head on, gets you no where, going against the tide, so you learn and adjust to swim with it or adjacent to it. It might take you longer to reach your objective, but you have "LEARNED" in the fight, and "ADJUSTED" to be victorious over it. It is that thought process, which is being quick and decisive, putting forth effort with a sense of purpose, that is meant by "Giving it your all".
The lessons of blocks and strikes, do not apply only to the physical aspects of the Martial ways, but also in life. Those are the basic aspects and understanding you will acquire as you move on. I, like you "Peeked" into other dojos, to view their training, but could never "Join" due to feelings of betrayal, and conflict in style and interpretation. I study GoJu Ryu, yet each instructor I know has a slightly different interpretation of the Katas, Bunkai, and phylosophy. (I never challenged or discussed these "Observations", yet they were "learned") Here in Japan, learning different forms are "OK", yet no matter how "Knowledgeable" you become, you are looked upon as a student without legs (Ashi ga nai) or having balance, and roots. A friend of mine, used to skip amongst some of the different teachers here, and in a way it is evident, yet he after many years realized the daughnting confusion and differences that he decided to return to his original instructor and follow one path. "The more you jump around, the easier it is to be swept off your feet".
I look forward to hearing of self realization through your training. Train as you work, Smart not Hard.
Sincerly,
Your Brother-Paul
Hey Al,
I am glad to see you developing your skills. The workouts I went through those first four years in the dojo were rough.My muscularity and strength made training difficult because it decreased my flexibility. When we practiced E-Pong or sparred (90% of the time with one of the Senseis')I could not move fast enough and got hit or was used to wipe up the dojo floor. Through constant practice I improved. After awhile I left the dojo motivated and envigorated even though I was sore. Your Brother Paul is absolutely right the rigors of training will defineitly change your outlook and spirit for the better as you continue training. Don't worry so much about sparring.
I'm very encouraged by the wisdom that both of you have shared with me. Yes, I am keenly aware that my journey has just begun. The arts can be very humbling indeed. Especially, as one advances in age. Clearly, I anticipate more days similar to the strenuous workouts that you two described during your training. I am not too pre-occupied with sparring. It seems that most schools that compete in tournaments, strongly encourage their students to enter tournaments and provide marketing exposure for their respective schools.
You might be interested in this article I came across on the internet.
Link Here:
http://ejmas.com/jalt/2004jalt/jcsart_green_1104.html