Spartacus Maximus

There are more than a few opinions on how much training is over training. Constantly aiming for improvement by doing just a little more for a little longer is good, but what exactly is too much? What is your defenition?

If it is not an explicit rule, is it just the way your governing body has always done it?

Some governing bodies and schools have certain rules or conventions about how far an instructor can personally judge, evaluate or grade their students. How many here know of such a rule? Is it half the instructors dan grade(i.e: 6 Dan may only promote up to 3dan) or does every level require a grading panel of several seniors as well as the chief instructor of the governing body? What are you familiar with?

The state of mind often commonly called moving zen or meditation is not as complicated or esoteric as many seem to make it out to be. It is simply the highest level of mental concentration and physical awareness. This is what happens when trained movements are executed as natural reflexes while the person's mind remains aware of the wider environment. It allows training to "take over". Although it is often mentioned in the context of martial arts or combat, it is not limited to this field. This type of focused awareness is also experienced by professional athletes or surgeons or any other people requiring a high level of concentration and relying on trained, automated ingrained techniques.

To be an instructor it is not enough to have skills and passion for what one trains. It requires a high degree of observational skills to evaluate and adjust how to teach different types of people who respond to different methods. Just repeating the same explanation or demonstration will not always have the desired results. Someone who can break down, explain and demonstrate a single point in a variety of ways makes a great instructor. Such a person will likely reach a wider audience and have more successful students than an instructor who just repeats without ever trying to understand "why can't they get this?"

Perhaps one reason why testing and gradings and ceremonies exist is that they are a way for the students to attach some kind of tangible value and be recognized for their efforts. In short it is a reward, just like the belt and fancy paper certificate. Students need this to feel that they have achieved something. It is somewhat akin to free instruction versus instruction for a fee. People always value something more if it is presented as a reward. An experienced and trained instructor may be able to see even the slightest improvement, but the student often does not notice or realize it unless he is explicitly told how, what and where these are. For many, if not most this translates to doubting one's progress.

Belt/rank tests are as arbitrary as the belts themselves. The only thing that is of any relevance is whether or not the candidate has improved and progressed in skills and understanding of what said person trains. Having a formal grading ceremony following hours of intense drills and kata to exhaustion does not make one grading more meaningful than another. Like many other things about martial arts, there is no standard way of conducting a test or grading and the is an immense scope of variety from dojo to dojo. Even within the same style or organization. It depends entirely on the instructor in charge.

Historical accounts of reknowned masters mention several masters who carried something for personal defense. Given the cultural and historical context of these stories there are not so many that would be advisable for anyone to emulate. Besides the very versatile stick or cane, I have known at least of two elderly experts who carried a folding iron fan. The only disadvantage of such an item is probably the weight. Unlike a cane, it can easily be concealed or stored in a pocket.

Too many karateka get stuck with the idea that this or that application or technique is the right one. Often it is just the one or two examples demonstrated by a senior instructor. This is usually the oyo bunkai or oyo kumite as it is sometimes called. What Mr. Merriman means by the need to explore is that each kata has a set of principles. An application or bunkai only makes sense and is only effective if it follows these principles and the strategy of the kata. A simple example of a principle is to "stun and unbalance before a throw or a takedown". If a technique is meant to be takedown or throw, it will not work if it is not preceded by a strike to disrupt and a move to unbalance the attacker.

Getting a place before having people to fill it with can be somewhat risky. Especially if one has spent a considerable amount for the cost of it. If there is no other possible option, it is best to find a free or very minimal cost space to start and move to a more suitable place after building up to a few students. Community centres or other similar public facilities are usually free or very cheap. If one has a suitable space at home it can also be done there, even if it is just one or two persons at a time.

Great ideas. Does anyone else know of any old or elderly (as in over 70) martial arts experts who carry some kind of defensive weapon despite still being more than capable to defend themselves at their age? It still seems like sort of an odd idea for an exceptionally skilled, strong and healthy person to carry anything at all. Is it because at that age, decades of daily training can no longer be relied upon?

Yes, a cane is probably the most obvious choice. Canes can also have all sorts of surprises from weights to blades. From what I could gather, something lighter and less cumbersome than a cane would be preferable.

Aging affects everyone and no matter how strong and healthy one might be there comes a time when skills may not be enough. In a recent discussion with my instructor he mentioned that he was considering carrying some kind of defensive weapon in a few years because of his age. It is very hard to imagine why he would need anything other than his hands, feet and decades of daily training. He may not be what he used to be, but even at nearly 70 and a 9th dan, I pitty whoever is foolish enough to attack him. More puzzling is the fact that besides the odd blade, weapons are very rare where he resides and usually are improvised objects(firearms and knives are illegal). What kind of defensive weapon might be ideal for an old man to carry? Any ideas?

The poll seems to be begging for a simple, one-dimensional answer to a very complex question. The answer cannot be any one of the choice answers alone and is always a combination of two or more of them. "Why do some people attack others" sounds simple, but it is a very difficult question. It depends on the specific condition of the attacker. Mental and emotional state at the time etc, etc. In the most general and broad terms, one reason: Want. People will attack others because of want things. Usually it boils down to material and influence/power. Every single violent attack can be defined in those to fundamental motivations. Consider these simple examples: A mugger will attack because he wants the victims valuables A gangster will attack because he wants to keep or expand power/influence A rapist will attack because he wants power by forcing the victim to accept his will and submit A religious or ideological fanatic will attack because he wants power to forcefully impose his vision.

After a while any pure cotton canvas gi becomes impossible to keep completely white. It is frustrating to end up with those yellowish stains that never completely disappear no matter how one tries to wash them out.

"This no tournament, this for real!" Mister Miyagi in Karate Kid 2

Nothing beats getting blisters on callouses, nothing other than maybe bursting a blister and finding out only after training is over.

What is truly amazing and interesting with sword play is the strength and flexibility of limbs needed to effectively wield a sword. Unlike modern fencing, the replica swords are anything but light. Training develops great arm, and especially wrist strength. Agility is another great ability that is stressed in this art. As for Systema, there is so much variety in the skill level of instructors that it can be difficult to find quality. When it is found though, it is well worth the trouble.

Settling on a single choice takes a long time to think over. This is why seminars and camps are useful. They are one of the best ways to try several things in different systems when there is no single choice to be made. It also allows focus on a single aspect. As for a personal recommendation, I might suggest fencing. Not the olympic sport, mind you, but as it is recreated and taught based on training manuals from the 17th-18th centuries with replica swords. Another would be the Russian art Systema, which offers a very peculiar way of moving and striking.

It might be slightly more productive to compare systems of the same time period. The karate brought to Japan by Funakoshi and his peers in the early 1900 was already different from what was practised by those who remained in Okinawa. By 1922, it was again different from the original. Modern Korean arts originating in the early 20th century might be Korean but the Japanese influence is absolutely undeniable. As undeniable and obvious as the Chinese influence on karate in Okinawa and nearly every system that came out of East Asia.

Sensei8 was quicker to reply, but his point expresses my thoughts also. Even if the rules are set to sanction, regulate or forbid contact, it cannot be completely avoided. Contact might be intentional or accidental but it is in the nature of the activity. This is also true of team sports and any other activity where one must struggle against another person. The possibility of getting hit somehow somewhere is high and must be considered by those who engage in said activity. One will get hit at some point and denying that is a foolish expectation. How hard one might get hit is just a variable and it depends on how seriously one trains as well as several other factors.

For one who has trained for decades in the same system, the best idea is probably something radically different. Something that would require learning to move in a way that has no similarities to whatever one has been training. It is not necessary to master a new system, only to understand the basic ideas and principles. Approach it like personal research and focus on one point. The specific system chosen for this is a matter of personal choice, but the key is the more different it is, the better and more meaningful the experience would be. Such as for someone with 30 years of karate, for example , will benefit more from trying taichi than another karate style. It is also the best time to attend seminars and camps because the decades of training in one system will provide a unique perspective on what else exists out there. Sensei8, living in USA is a great advantage with the sheer wealth of available choices. The idea is surely not novel to you, but if you have time to find and attend a seminar or camp, do not hesitate. What interests you?

People who are unwilling to actually do what is being taught are another very disruptive annoyance. There is no such thing as a non-contact martial art. How can one expect to learn to strike, grapple or throw or apply anything if one never has any contact at some point in training? These sorts of people have no business doing any martial art and are better off in an aerobics class or a knitting club. It is as nonsensical as wanting to learn to swim but refusing to get wet.

Taking the risk of being a nit picker, but also for argument's sake everything is effective. It is a matter of purpose and choice but "effective for what purpose?" Once that first question is answered, the better question would be asking oneself if one is training effectively to reach the results expected instead of asking if the martial art itself is effective. All hammers are good for hammering nails, that is what they are made for. How well they work depend on the person holding the hammer.

People who come to the dojo but only practise or make any effort when the instructor is looking directly at them. This is very common in children and teens but believe it or not, many adults. The dojo is NOt a social club and sensei is not going to do your training for you.