 The next time you are in the dojo or even at home and pass by a mirror, stop, look, and ask, who is this person? What are my goals? What do I want to be? All of this is, of course, in reference to your training in you preferred martial art system. During the seventies the U.S. Army started using the phrase " Be all you can be" in their advertising. Why not "be all you can be"? This is a valid goal to put into your every day existence. Who are you fooling by just going through the motions in anything you do. Ask that question to the reflection in the mirror.
Most martial arts schools offer a well rounded curriculum including kata, kumite (sparring), self defense and weapons training. If you don't take advantage of all the school has to offer you will miss out on becoming a well rounded martial artist, "being all that you can be". If you only do kata you are cheating yourself out of one of the most rewarding aspect of training in a karate system, that being kumite. If you desire to train with weapons and learn the appropriate kata to go along with them that's admirable but isn't something still missing? Drill work is an essential part of training, as important as learning the basics of blocking, punching, and kicking, some define drill work as only going through the motions. Self defense training really teaches one about the self. However if it is only done slowly and with no heart what will the outcome be? How is your bag work? When was the last time you attended an open session and tested your kicking and striking skills on the heavy bag? When was the last time you got to the dojo early and worked on the bag until class started or made arrangements to stay on after class? When was the last time you tested your skills in a controlled situation (sparring class)? I think it's time to step back and take a look at the whole picture. Imagine yourself being a broad martial artist, karateka or whatever it is you would like to see yourself as. If a piece to the puzzle is missing the picture is not clear.
Before you began your training you must have had some idea that there would be some risks involved, knowing that karate was a physical activity with the potential of light to heavy physical contact. Bumps, bruises, contusions and hematoma, sprains, strains, dislocations and even the possibility of broken bones do not have to be, but in reality, are a part of martial arts training. If you only go through the motions it is a fair bet that you will never experience any of this. Not that these things necessarily have to happen in class they sometimes will and do.
Prior to becoming involved in the martial arts and someone asked you what a black belt was. How did you answer them? Unfortunately for many the only exposure to what a black belt stood for came from the movies. Some super human with opponents' bullets glancing off or penetrating their bodies, taking on an endless amount of attackers, withstanding punishment that would put ordinary people out with one blow, and almost always fighting to the death or near death in most cases. Movies are not real, what happens on the streets today is real, a part of life sometimes hitting a little too close to home.
What would you think, if, after spending countless hours in the dojo with little self motivation, and only going through the motions, you were suddenly presented with the reality of calling upon your skills that were "learned" in the dojo in a street situation. The all too sad ending to a possibly happy story would be that you would not be able to handle the situation or try as you might, lack the spirit and understanding to get you out of that jam. You would, during your recovery period, probably place the blame on the school or instructors for not providing you with instruction, motivation or technical know how for that situation. Who is at fault?
To quote a great karate Master Ginchin Funakoshi " The ultimate aim of karate is not victory or defeat but perfection of the character of it's participants". You do not have to try to become a super human, that we know is not a reality, but you do owe it to yourself to work up to your full potential to "be all that you can be". Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you. Find other opportunities that are available. If your long term goal is to become a black belt then isn't it important to become the best black belt you can? That is only possible if you take advantage of opportunity presented to you and even to go a little further in the direction of self research. Let each piece of the puzzle become part of you. Although there is no perfect mold for a black belt and qualifications differ between styles, the idea of what a black belt is remains. Compare where you were six months ago to where you are today and try to think of where you will be a year from now with your training. Are you truly getting closer to this level in the eyes of those around you or is this just a vision in your own mind.
On the grand scheme of martial arts training we are all students, all being a piece of the giant puzzle, it is still unclear as to what the picture will be when the pieces are joined until everyone decides to work up to their full potential and "be all they can be".
Just one last thought. Look around you the next time you are in the dojo, imagine that if a physical confrontation broke out in the street, who would you want at your side? The person who practices kata half heartedly? The kata champion? The sparring champion? The student who puts every effort in every workout Then look in the mirror and you'll see the person who will be with you all the time. Which one is he?
In Uechi Ryu Karate the kata Sanchin teaches about the mind, body, spirit. Without the mind what happens to the body and the spirit? Without the body what happens to the mind and the spirit? Without the spirit what happens to the mind and the body. These are all puzzle pieces that students of sanchin search for.
Steve Banchick --
Rokodan,
Okinawan Karate Club,
Stoughton, Mass.
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