Spartacus Maximus

Being able to correctly and simply summarize a concept requires a certain depth of knowledge and good depth of understanding. It is also very important to never forget that there is always more to learn and that someone else knows something more. Once this is accepted and understood, it is very easy to see both how far one has to go yet have solid confidence in how far one has come.

It is good to be able to go back and take an in-depth look at one’s past test. It is a unique reference and perspective because there are certain mistakes that are difficult to spot. Especially the ones that people do not fully realize until they see themselves doing them.

It isn’t right to deny anyone the right to earn an honest living. Having said this, what is considered an honest living depends a great deal on several factors mentioned by others here. Things like the state of the economy, the cost of living and whether or not the dojo/school is the primary source of income. Even when the instructor has other work, there still are cost for upkeep. Rent, utilities, maintenance and equipment often cost most of the total earnings. A truly passionate and dedicated instructor might even be willing to personally pay some of those costs just to keep the the doors open and continue to teach if fees are not enough. Students will never be told, though. In Okinawa, the cradle of karate, this is widespread. The majority of instructors there work full time at various jobs and run their dojo in the evenings. Very few are lucky enough to own their training space and have to pay rent and buy equipment. Things are the same on mainland Japan and in urbanized areas or large cities such as Tokyo, a small dojo(enough space for 12-15 students) can cost as much as 3000US$ just for rent. As expected, the fees match the cost of living.

Does your dojo/instructor record training or tests on video? Have you ever used video recording of your own training? It can be quite useful to help spot and fix mistakes and bad habits that would otherwise be difficult to see. Being able to see yourself in action and having it readily available to study can be very beneficial for focusing improvement.

Indeed , “reaching” or over-extending outwards is a common mistake. Perhaps the next most commonly occurring mistake is for people to “chase” incoming attacks when attempting to block. This leaves one open and worse still, takes more energy as well as robbing the technique of power making it less effective and less likely to succeed against the momentum of a powerful committed attack.

This is somewhat difficult to explain without visuals, but with little thinking it isn’t too complex. One of the fundamental principles of ukewaza(blocking, redirecting, parrying) in Okinawan Karate is that these start and end very close to one’s body. For example the “rising/high block” starts near the chest around sternum level. In the ending position, the distance between the raised forearm and one’s head is about that of a fist’s width. How do other systems or style approach and this principle(blocking/checking close to one’s body). Is it as widespread as it seems?

Adjusting explanations to the level of the listener is one of the things an instructor can only learn from experience and it is very often easier said than done. What might seem obvious and straightforward to and intermediate level, might be completely over the heads of novices or those with no prior knowledge. Some instructors have a tendency to explain a little to much in minute details. It is too easy to forget that it is acceptable to leave out certain details and explain them later when the students reach a level which allows them to understand the finer points. Early on, one simplified or simplistic explanation is sufficient.

Three days per week and weekends are semi-private. Every session is 2 hours. On weekends every one trains as a group for the first hour or so on whatever the instructor decides to focus on in particular. This is usually one or two specific kata and chosen content from these. The second hour is free individual training. Everyone practises whatever they like and the instructor goes around giving tips and demonstrates finer points. During this time the instructor is also practising and everyone is expected to keep up. The structure is very loose and informal in the traditional Okinawan style(sensei is Okinawan). This means no predetermined content so that on any given session the training will be different. There is a curriculum but order is not set in stone. For example beginners will eventually learn kihon kata, but some may start with kata 3 instead of 1.

Knowledge is just information. Wisdom is understanding what should or must be done with it in any given case. This is the reason why wisdom is not as common as knowledge. Knowledge can be learned through study, but wisdom can only come from experience. The two qualities complement and complete eachother.

The protection and defense of others is a very well developed field. As a martial arts student or instructor it would be of significant interest to look into documentation on the subject. It is not difficult for anyone to obtain books which describe tried and proven strategies. If one is really keen on it, attending a seminar or training session with a professional of the field may give valuable insight applicable to one’s training. If anything these types of seminars are more popular and easier to find than ever. Just remember to choose wisely.

Changing schools or adding anonther system would just increase the activity and would be more difficult to manage. Loyalty and dedication to one instructor for years also goes against this. Training is mostly away from the dojo at home except for one, sometimes two 2hour private sessions at the dojo.

It does not seem to be trend or at least not a very popular one. For children, it might be common in some circumstances and there are a few martial art supplies retailers that have special “easy belts” for children that stay on and are fixed with elastic bands or Velcro(magic tape). On the other hand, it is t unheard of for certain dojo and traditional tournaments to have rules against them. For example, every tournament or karate event on Okinawa strictly forbids any additions or modifications to the basic white gi and regular belt. No pins or accessories of any kind.

The difficult thing is figuring out what is different. Many factors were ruled out because nothing has changed in 5 years. No increase or decrease of anything, same eating habits and sleeping patterns etc. Training through colds, fevers and even the flu has never been a problem either. Maybe age has something to do with it, but it hardly makes sense for someone who has always been active since early teenage years.

It rings true for both competition and self-defense. Everything in between as well. The outcome of a physical struggle depends a great deal on ones mental state. In a less than optimum state on mind, reactions, reflexes and evaluation of the situation will be more difficult which can lead to failures.

The idea of having some kind of evaluation if test for every grade is a very good one. Only a few people may relate to this or understand it fully, the fact that a rank, title or grade is given away cheapens it. Ranks etc may not mean much outside of the group that gives them, but they mean very little within it as well if given away too easily. It is very easy to falsify or forge a grade. It is much harder to demonstrate knowledge and skill which one has never acquired. The value and pride people attach to things is proportional to the time and efforts made to obtain them.

There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of finally making a connection with practise and application. Finally understanding the how and the why after a long time wondering, questioning and doubting. It is, without any exaggeration, the martial art equivalent of discovering and deciphering an old book only few have ever read. This is only possible if one never stops asking questions and trying to answer them.

Breaking boards or bats or anything else does have a real purpose for training and is not just for shows. Breaking the object is not the point because anyone can do with strength. The point is to test and evaluate correct technique and body mechanics. Power, speed and strength are only a small part of what is required to break an object.

Best guess as to what it may be without an X-ray is an injury somewhere other than the bone. A break would make full range of motion painful if not impossible. Could be also be a smaller fracture on one of the joint sections of the toe. Those are also quite painful and take a long while to completely heal and the sensitivity to dissipate. Online medical sites have lists of average healing time for broken bones by sex and age. For a healthy adult, the average time to heal a toe or finger is 20-25 days. This gives a rough idea, but a doctor familiar with the individual case can give more precise advice. Personally, a broken thumb healed(the bone) in about 21 days, but remaind sensitive for a little longer. Suprisingly, a nasty sprain without a break took much longer to get back to normal.

A question for anyone who has ever experienced burnout or exhaustion. What were the first signs or symptoms which indicated that something may be wrong? Trying to fit training time with personal life, work and other daily duties and obligations is always a struggle. More often than not, there isn’t enough time to do everything or for as long as planned. Despite having no change in workload, training and general activity, lately it has become difficult to get through it. The usual has become exhausting both physically and mentally(focus, concentration etc).

This is a very common injury and often happens when toes are improperly held when kicking or if the toes are not sufficiently trained for toe-point kicks. The big toe is the main point of contact in this type of kick and it is very easy to break it if the toes buckle on impact. As far as care goes, there really isn’t much to do. As with any broken bones, it takes a minimum time to heal completely and this will depend on an individual’s age, sex and overall health. Also the size of the bone is important. Obviously it will not heal as slow as a leg or arm because toe bones are quite small. To allow it to heal properly, it would be a good idea to immobilize it with strong cloth tape and a semi-rigid splint(optional). Also avoid any movement which requires bending the toe or putting pressure or weight on it. Continue for the recommended healing time plus a week or two.

Losing faith in someone or something usually implies giving up in one way or another. Considering martial arts, it seems that those who have lost faith are the ones who quit because they no longer believe it has any worth. Or perhaps because they didn’t find what they were looking for (yet), and gave up trying. Those who continue over years inevitably have certain periods where they question the purpose of point of training and even start to doubt some or all of what they know, practise or have been taught. This is not really a bad thing, because it is an important first step towards greater and deeper understanding of whatever one has chosen to train. It could be called losing faith, but personal experience doesn’t agree. It is very hard to lose faith in something if one continues to seek it always and in everything. Starting training over again from the very beginning with a different method allowed me to understand how little I knew and how much I had missed.

The first priority in the type of scenario mentioned would be to make sure vulnerable people can flee to a safe place and call for help. The next step is to do whatever is necessary for one’s own escape. The longer one stays with an attacker the higher the possibility for the situation to worsen. As soon as the attacker(s) are distracted, dazed or hurt, run and never ever try to stay there and give a punishment. This will also ensure credibility as a victim in the aftermath if ever brought before the law. The first priority is the escape and safety of the most vulnerable people. They must be allowed to escape and this escape must be covered by all necessary defensive action. Once this is successfully achieved, the next priority is to join them at the first opportunity. To summarize, 1. Allow vulnerable people to escape and get help. 2. Defend self quickly and escape as fast as possible. 3. Regroup, check everybody and leave. It is also a good idea to educate and inform family and friends about good habits before anything ever happens. Things like scattering and regrouping later somewhere public and familiar in the area. Another one is not clinging to each other’s arms or clothing as this impairs movement and would make it difficult to move fast to avoid a danger or counter an attack. Finally and most common sense of all: Never ever take your loved ones to potentially dangerous areas! If one avoids these obvious sorts of places, the possibility of being assaulted are nearly nonexistent. Of course those who live in an unstable territory with rampant lawlessness and daily violence can ignore this advice, but it certainly applies to everywhere else that has a civilized society with laws.

Here is a question often asked in martial arts, especially to instructors: “How do you know a technique works if you have never used it?” Has anyone ever answered such a question or one like it and what explanation did you give? How was your answer taken and was it understood?

Another thing to consider is that in any martial arts, one should not expect the training sessions to include everything every time. It is a better strategy for an instructor to focus on one or two things per session. It is more effective and beneficial than going through every single thing in the system every time. Doing that means less time for everything.

Here is a point of view based on reading biographies of several well-known martial arts masters to prove that they didn’t start as early as some might think. The average age these masters and reknowned practitioners started to train is in their teens, not 6,7 or 8. 16 years old is a great age to start and definitely not “too late”. Anyone can verify this by simply doing a little research online or books. Again many who spread and developed martial arts beyond their country of origin started when they were in their late teens or as adults I their 20’s(military men, for example). Consider Chuck Norris. He was much older than 7 or 16 when he started training in Korea.