Oplomachia

Take Note!

11/16/2014

Do you know what the problem with me is? I think,... (I know I know, "lay down before you hurt yourself!" ;-) students are not taught to practice well enough.... The reason for this may surprise you. It is mainly because the instructor does not do their own homework. (waiting for the dramatic hurumph of you all)

Just hear me out. I have talked before about the difference between practice and training. Training being what you do with an instructor or coach and practice is what you do all by your onesies.

How often does an instructor or coach tell a student, "Now when you go home, I want you to work on X." And then come the next session of training, does not even remember what "X" was? This is a poor habit of many instructors.

Part of being a good teacher is knowing when the student has hit a wall and then determining how much is enough to push. Once there, we should recommend some homework for the student to practice. Preferably something that will re enforce what needs to be bolstered in their technique. Too often, we as instructors get ourselves into head-spaces that are not of value to the student. For instance, we are in the moment with our student and once they walk off the matt, so goes their particular moment in time and training. We move on to the next challenge (thats what we instructors kindly call you guys!... Kidding :-) or change our focus for the next class ect.

As an instructor, I feel you need to take notes on sessions for every class. Do not rely on your memory or your styles system to let you know where you left off. A better way to think of it might be to look at every day being the last you teach. What will you leave for the next to be of value to your student. Could another instructor pick up where they need to and help this student in their journey?

On this point, how many times as students did we walk from one instructor to the next and hear a completely different piece of advice on what we should do with a technique. I am not saying we should all be complete copies of one another. Variety and different perspective is not only good but necessary to help a student develop depth. But our own consistency in teaching will cause less confusion. And hopefully will allow the student to practice at home what will ultimately be useful to them when they come back to train. Not to mention give you a great reference to see if they actually are practicing.

So I advise you to take notes, and take notice of not only the place in time but direction of your training. This is for students as well. How better to go home and remember what you were suppose to be working on! Show that instructor that you are a challenge worth taking! (We tell you that because we want you to think you are doing well :-)

Take notes! Train hard, and be Knightly

Syr Gemini

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No Mind

7/30/2014

There is a fighting proverb that goes, “When they are getting ready, We are already done.”

I have see many methods over the years used by fighters to prepare for a fight. Whether it is to be a tournament, a duel, or some other sort of public display, there seems to be a never ending parade of methods to get oneself “Into” the fight.

As a new martial artist, and being quite young, I took my instructors words to heart when I was told to exhaust myself when training. That way, they said, I would not think about what I was doing and simply react. What usually happened is when I stopped thinking, I reacted in pain from being struck.

Other methods I have seen used are mental tapes by famous athletes, practice tournaments that are used to get fighters used to being under pressure, and as always a lot of well meaning but ultimately ineffective advice from a person who has been successful. All of these can have merit and even be somewhat useful but I very rarely see or hear the truth about how a fighter can best prepare for that defining moment.

The answer is both very simple and actually the hardest. The way to prepare for that defining moment is the training you do every day! Now before I get all kinds of hate mail about these other methods, let me explain why they are a crutch and there is really no way to the other side but through.

When you train, a martial artist must push themselves to places they never thought possible, not just mentally but physically as well. Many people are excited to attend a fighter or sparring practice a couple times a week and feel the are training, but they are not. These individuals would not be so keen to stand at that same practice and just use their defense. Meaning, no striking back just using footwork and their defense to survive or be struck, and then do it with the other hand!

Many will throw several blows and use the premiss that more is better. They may even have some success with it. But the same fighter would not enjoy limiting themselves to one blow per bout, win or loose.

Placing oneself into these very difficult places is what gives us mastery offer our body. We literally train our brain and body to become a single instrument. But like a musician or a dancer, you can only do this by training the repetition and stress on yourself every session.

We should practice through this every session, including taking a moment to clear all thoughts and ready our body for what it needs to do. Achieving this over the years is what gives us that confidence in ourselves. So when we are placed in a stressful and public tourney, or caught by surprise in a street fight, we can let our nature as we have forged it take over.

This is not a new concept. Many cultures and time periods talk about the concept of “No Mind”, and the most successful athletes are those people that have put in the work to the point of confidence. Watch a down hill skier, a motorcycle racer ect. before the competition and you get a glimpse of them getting ready, usually with their eyes closed, moving this way and that. They are letting their body react to the scene in their mind. So when the real picture comes at them, they have their body in tune for what it should do.

Go socialize later. Talk about life and politics another time. If you are not a little nervous before a training session, then perhaps you are not placing yourself into the right mind or training.

Train hard, and be Knightly.

Syr Gemini

What Color is Your Sky?

5/26/2014

I have many students with special needs. You may notice I did not place the often and in my opinion stupid “Quotations” in that phrase simply because.. well… it’s stupid.

A life spent studying and dedicating yourself to the martial arts prepares you for much in this world. You are confident, focused, often a bit more disciplined than most. What it does not prepare you for is how to teach. I know I have spoken about this before and suffice to say it is no easy task. There are many things that quite frankly only “teaching” can teach…. See what I mean… Dumb.

Over the years I have been given the opportunity to instruct young people that have had everything from quirks to all out conditions. From medical needs to mental challenges, from dietary considerations to, well…. what most would call nerds.

One such student came to me as a combination of several of these. Over weight, learning disorder, social issues ect… And when he first came to class, even with all my gained knowledge, I truly doubted I could keep him interested for longer than the two introductory lessons.

It did not start well. I am from the old school when it comes to running my classes and I expect the students to follow the orders they are given. Other conditions include penalties for say, dropping your sword or shield, swearing, or pretty much anything else I do not think appropriate. (The list is long but distinguished ;-)

My student did not take well to this at first. Was unable to perform a single push up (10 was often a penalty for an offense) Could not hold a Plank position for more than a few seconds. During sparing or more vigorous activity the student would get to the point of tears in frustration over their own lack of endurance or embarrassment in thinking the rest of the class thought they were weak.

The days and weeks carried on and my student showed up every week. Slowly though, I started to see a change. In behavior for sure. But also from the other students. All of them took pride in going through the sessions with each other. I must say that quirky, among other things defined this student. During sparring or even pell drills I would hear grunts and panting, groans and sometimes a battle cry! I would think to myself, “Wow, I wonder what theme music goes on in that mind?” Was it Ride of the Valkryies? Ode to Joy? Enter Sandman?

Over the years my student was still with me. Still learning and taking every challenge with equal amounts of determination coupled with a completely immersed fantasy of Assassin’s Creed and the Transformers, with a kick or two lifted from the Power Rangers! In other words, a delight to teach. Because it made me work outside of every box I had ever made. And kept me honest about knowing that I know nothing.

It often makes me wonder that the way to teach and be taught has only loose boundaries. Because the students that come are both unique and the same all at once. I often tell my students, “Be proud! You are a single special snowflake! Just like every one else…”

It is more than an honor to be able to teach students with special needs. Mainly because it teaches us as instructors that everyone has them, and the best instructor can adapt and bend to what the student needs to learn.

I guess that it is more than learning and dedicating to an art. More than learning all over again how to teach effectively and to make the art you love a part of you. More than making that love for it inspire your students to greater things albeit martial arts of just social confidence.

I guess that is what it will be like to be a “Master”….. See, still stupid.

Syr Gemini

The Black Belt Myth

4/6/2014

Over the 35 plus years I have been studying and training in the martial arts, one of the most interesting philosophies I have seen repeated in many styles and disciplines is the concept of what a Black Belt is or means. I must admit that over these years I have seen the perception from both sides, having reached that rank in four arts myself as well as being Knighted in a western medieval organization, and I have often asked my teachers and founders when I could, what the rank really meant. The research into the older Asian styles gives us the best idea of it's original intent since the rank in the history of martial arts is not that old dating to the early 1900's.
The original intent in practical terms is to denote a student who has achieved a "Basic level of Competence."
(I know what you are thinking. "Wait a minute there mister! A black belt is a master! Like in all the movies I have ever seen! Able to break things and take on like 20 bad guys, one at a time of course, and... you know.. break things!")
A black belt rank was in it's original intent to signify nothing more that the students competence in the basics. Both in action and general understanding. One of the best ways I have ever heard it described was by my Master when, after a four hour test granting the rank, he came to me and placed his hand on my shoulder and with pride he said, "This just means you are skilled and interesting enough to speak to." Then he smiled and told me that what I had achieved had simply given me the ability to begin and understand what he was teaching.
I feel that when a martial artist achieves the rank of black belt (or Don or Knight in the SCA or Provost) that the rest of the community some how believes they have the ability to lead, create or even teach. But this is not the case at all. It simply means that this individual has the ability to understand the content he has been given. There are many people of high rank in many disciplines that cannot and should not teach simply because although they may have the technical prowess, they lack the communication skills and personality to effectively bring across the concepts. This goes both ways of course, meaning there are many highly charismatic people that teach who have little or no real grasp of the martial intent.
To be completely honest, I am somewhat of a purist. I was fortunate enough to begin my martial journey when many of the schools tried to stay on the traditional intent. Classes were in Korean in my first Tae Kwon Do school and a student of even the highest ability was not allowed to hold the rank of black belt under the age of eighteen. I admit I still cringe a bit when I see a young child jumping out of the mini van on his or her way to class sporting a poorly tied black belt. And if you really want to see the hate mail come in, do I feel that an under belt or a squire or a lower ranking practitioner should teach even basic movement and concepts? No I do not. One of many reasons is because I believe that if they themselves understood the actions then they would be of a rank and position to teach. You immediately weaken the understanding by students trying to learn from them because their understanding is incomplete.
But I also feel that students of that rank (Black Belt ect.) should take it for what it is.
A step... A step towards their journey to understand the movements they have been committing to the nature of reaction. Along with that to truly see if they are skilled and talented enough to teach the concepts accurately. And then endeavor to continue to learn as well.
The rank of these disciplines has changed much in the last 20 years and often people substitute rank with actual knowledge or the ability to teach. To those out there following the path of martial arts and are looking to these people for answers, ideals, or philosophy I would give this bit of advice.
Give them time and don't expect too much too soon. After all, they are just getting interesting enough to speak to... Syr Gemini

March 31st, 2014

3/31/2014

"Ultimate simplicity leads to purity."
I recently watched a documentary called "Jiro dreams of sushi". I have watched it before... Many times as a matter of fact. I find the film about a sushi Chef who has practiced his trade with relentless dedication to his craft for over 70 years inspiring to say the least. But I also am reminded of the Japanese idea of Shokunin.
The following is the best example of it's ideal; “The Japanese word shokunin is defined by both Japanese and Japanese-English dictionaries as ‘craftsman’ or ‘artisan,’ but such a literal description does not fully express the deeper meaning. The Japanese apprentice is taught that shokunin means not only having technical skills, but also implies an attitude and social consciousness. … The shokunin has a social obligation to work his/her best for the general welfare of the people. This obligation is both spiritual and material, in that no matter what it is, the shokunin’s responsibility is to fulfill the requirement.” – Tasio Odate
Sound familiar? The martial arts is an environment that I fell in love with at the age of seven. Even this far down the road I find many moments of the day given to thinking about new methods of attack, defense, measure use, and application. In short, there is nothing I would rather be doing. And I really feel that all that are called to their own path have that same blissful affliction.
The idea of when you practice, to practice perfectly, should be in your mind. Before you stand in front of the pell, see the area around it, look at the distance you are covering. Pay attention to the grip you use and why you use it. Does it change? Why would it change? What emotional mindset are you in when you practice? Do you begin and end every session of training with the most basic cut... Quiz answer: You should :-)
I often tell my students, "You could spend your entire martial career perfecting the first cut and it would not be a wasted life." Because everything in that ultimate simplicity leads to purity. And everything in that purity is worthy of a life long journey.

[You can find "Jiro dreams of sushi" on Netflix or Amazon. I is worth your time to watch and see what a lifetime of dedication can bring in personal pursuit.]

Syr Gemini

Purity

3/31/2014

"Ultimate simplicity leads to purity."

I recently watched a documentary called "Jiro dreams of sushi". I have watched it before... Many times as a matter of fact. I find the film about a sushi Chef who has practiced his trade with relentless dedication to his craft for over 70 years inspiring to say the least. But I also am reminded of the Japanese idea of Shokunin.

The following is the best example of it's ideal; “The Japanese word shokunin is defined by both Japanese and Japanese-English dictionaries as ‘craftsman’ or ‘artisan,’ but such a literal description does not fully express the deeper meaning. The Japanese apprentice is taught that shokunin means not only having technical skills, but also implies an attitude and social consciousness. … The shokunin has a social obligation to work his/her best for the general welfare of the people. This obligation is both spiritual and material, in that no matter what it is, the shokunin’s responsibility is to fulfill the requirement.” – Tasio Odate

Sound familiar? The martial arts is an environment that I fell in love with at the age of seven. Even this far down the road I find many moments of the day given to thinking about new methods of attack, defense, measure use, and application. In short, there is nothing I would rather be doing. And I really feel that all that are called to their own path have that same blissful affliction.

The idea of when you practice, to practice perfectly, should be in your mind. Before you stand in front of the pell, see the area around it, look at the distance you are covering. Pay attention to the grip you use and why you use it. Does it change? Why would it change? What emotional mindset are you in when you practice? Do you begin and end every session of training with the most basic cut... Quiz answer: You should :-)

I often tell my students, "You could spend your entire martial career perfecting the first cut and it would not be a wasted life." Because everything in that ultimate simplicity leads to purity. And everything in that purity is worthy of a life long journey.

[You can find "Jiro dreams of sushi" on Netflix or Amazon. I is worth your time to watch and see what a lifetime of dedication can bring in personal pursuit.]

Syr Gemini

Temperance in All Things

2/25/2014

“Moderation in Action, Thought, or Feeling.” That is the definition of this often over looked virtue.
I often pose this question to my students. “Out of the virtues of chivalry, i.e.. Fidelity, Justice, Courtesy, Honor, Prowess, Humility, Strength, Courage, and Honesty, which can stand alone?”
You may draw your own conclusion, but for the sake of brevity I will confide to you that the answer is Prowess. The simple contention is that it is entirely possible to be a great fighter and a terrible knight. While all the other virtues require and even sometimes demand support from one another, prowess can stand alone. Not for good or bad, but alone.
I was contemplating the implications this has on the concept of “being” a knight when I remembered an essay I had written on a mostly overlooked virtue. Temperance in all things as a path to being a truly great knight and martial artist.
The body of the idea is thus. I feel the greatest achievement of any martial artist is to have the ability to destroy, break, even kill without the need to do so. The absolute life long pursuit of an art form that has the primary objective of hurting or killing another human, and all the while finding the awareness of self and hope in the beauty of restraint.
The martial artist has the ability to break an arm, but through Temperance, only holds the arm in discomfort to their opponent so they submit. The martial artist can render unconscious or even kill their opponent with a strike of any number of weapons, but chooses to use their barring or attitude, even better, their ability to communicate with respect rather than damage someone.
Uncle Ben was right, “With great power comes great responsibility.” And that indication of Temperance still resonates today.
So work hard and rest when you need to. Fight hard and recover when you are injured. Train perfectly, train religiously, train vigorously, train HARD!… and be Knightly.

Syr Gemini

"What we do In Life"...

2/19/2014

There are many martial arts around the world. Many from the Asian traditions have been passed down in one form or another for centuries.
It has often been a source of both honor and pride to be the "disciple" of So and So, or the descendant of Grand Master Such and Such.
In the western martial arts, the fighting style to which I have devoted my whole life has undergone drastic change due to the ideal of how duels were satisfied, personal honor and the ever changing style of warfare. I refer to it as style for reasons I will address at another time.
The idea of a person codifying a martial art remains with me, whispers to me as I wrestle with not only language and reference barriers but also the implications of creating a tradition of thought and movement. I wonder if those in the past had the same deep feeling of pride, purpose, determination and terror. All thrown into the prevailing notion that there will never be enough time and it will never be finished. But with every breathe you take thinking and working to make sure it survives the author.
"What we do in life, echoes in eternity"....
So practice you footwork every day, understand the Rule of Measure, work on the pell with both hands, and most important, train hard and be Knightly...