Thought #13     January 27th, 2010

First of all, I would like to remind each and everyone of you, why are you still in my class ? Do you have a purpose ? Is there a vision ? Are you finally understand why techniques are being used ? Why do we bother to block, punch, poke, etc... ? My point to all of these questions are simple. I don't want you to be in my class to learn "the HOW". There are many other legitimate schools that can teach you "THE HOW" maybe better than what I am teaching you. Learning "the HOW" does not take you far. I need all of you to focus on the "WHY". Only when you come to understand "Why am I doing this ?, Why do I use such techniques ?, Why should I even listen to my teacher ?, Why do we use koshi ?", then you are ready to continue to learn with me AGAIN in 2010. When you ask a question with "a purpose of doing a technique", then learning "how to do it" is relatively simple. It is not simple because you practiced the moves a thousand times. It is simple because you have accepted the move to be effective and that you understand "why" should you use that move. Once you believe it is real, then you will have the desire and passion to train.

There are 18 katas in Shorin Ryu. If you learn HOW to do the 18 katas perfectly and don't understand WHY you are doing it, then you are no better than a machine, i.e. a computer program. Katas are one thing, Kumite is a totally different concept; learning to react and to feel/adapt to your opponent. The reason why people who do great katas and loose in a fight is because they never understand how katas are being used. Sadly to say, any martial art style will take many years to understand. Wearing a blackbelt is relative. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to get a blackbelt, it only matters if that black belt belongs to you.

Many other school I know takes more than 8 years to be a first degree blackbelt. This means nothing to me. I can extend my school and ranking factor to 20 years before I give out blackbelt. Does it mean my school or my style is any better ? Of course not, it just mean I have nothing better to do so I mess around with my student's head. Belts means nothing, wearing a blackbelt only means you are finally ready to learn, not that you became a master. All it shows is you have invested the time and show to your teacher that you are now a true and dedicated student to the art. I don't measure students by the color of their belt; I measure by how much hunger they have in them to learn. If you train half-heartedly, then your blackbelt is only half black and half white. I met a master a few weeks ago and he has been teaching for the last 30 years. We had a long chat and we are still learning each other's art. There are so much to learn in just ONE art. I have read an article and it stated, "In the beginning the way is huge, but it becomes narrower as you progress." Stay on track by asking yourself "why" all the time. Karate is a way of life; The way you train is a reflection of who you are. Time is against us so please stay focus. Welcome to 2010 !

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu !

READ MORE THOUGHT

• Thought   #1      May 6th, 2008
• Thought   #2      May 12th, 2008
• Thought   #3      May 19th, 2008
• Thought   #4      May 26th, 2008
• Thought   #5      June 2nd, 2008
• Thought   #6      July 7th, 2008
• Thought   #7      August 27th, 2008
• Thought   #8      October 29th, 2008
• Thought   #9      December 25th, 2008
• Thought #10      January 15th, 2009
• Thought #11      April 6th, 2009
• Thought #12      August 28th, 2009

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