Training in Reality

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

In a recent posting on FB by Marc MacYoung he addressed some issues regarding one's training. It is how things differ according to what you do in your training involving what he references as, "Perpetual Students." I can't get to the original at the moment but will add into this post when I find it. 

I quote, "BUT when you move into the 'doing,' your emphasis on training changes. While you return to certain training you do it to fix problems and figure out solutions to issues you didn't know existed while you were originally in training. You also expand your training into different subjects, not just variations of the same type of training over and over again." Then MM goes on to say, "Constantly repeating the same kind of training isn't growing, it's a different form of stagnation while telling yourself you're growing." 

Both of these statements are telling, to my perceptions, of the model that karate uses, mostly, to train and teach students, well, "Karate." What I see herein, until more data changes my perceptions, is in fact a fact about how karate uses "repetitive training" and especially those who are a certain kind of traditionalist where deviating or diverging from the "exact way the master" teaches things like basics, kata, drills, etc., is blasphemy. 

I am an advocate of using the traditional forms as a basic entry level training model and emphasize strongly that once you get to a certain point, especially if for self-protection for self-defense, you have to let that form go in a way somewhat described by MM's quote, you have to use it for change, i.e., "to fix problems and figure out solutions to issues you didn't know existed while you were originally in training." 

Caveat: Listen, karate is a good thing when it emphasizes ONLY sport, competitions and a more philosophical "the way" types of practices and I strongly believe that for self-protection for self-defense you MUST diverge away from the traditional and into a reality-based created model that does what I said in the last paragraph, i.e., you must use it "to fix problems and figure out solutions to issues you didn't know existed while you were originally in training." Especially, in my view, when tested against the reality of violence and conflict with emphasis on any actual experiences you may have had. 

I also agree, in my own way, that the way many practice karate today, and in the past, have created a comfort zone of stagnation, as MM refers to in his quote, that presents and places limits, obstacles and obstructions of both body and mind on the practitioner for efficient and practical use toward conflict and violence… you know, out there, in the streets of life. 

Reading a bit more, I believe the quote in the picture of the FB post was the trigger to MM’s comments. The quote on a picture of Dan Inosanto was, “I train as many arts as possible. I’m constantly learning all the time. Once you stop being a student you stop growing.” Now, I have to do some fact checking because this quote may or may not be from Mr. Inosanto but let’s focus on the quote. 

I know a lot of folks who have collected large sums of black belts, systems mastered, and other things like trophies while tying it all to the belief that all of that makes them better or a master. I don’t believe that is true. 

I firmly believe that is all add-on’s motivated by the American perceptions of mastery as well as the industry that kept adding-on things to keep students interested and gratified along with paying the fees and staying a member in good standing of the dojo. Let’s not forget about coming up with stuff to teach and test for testing in its own right is a huge money generating part of the commercial dojo. 

It comes down to what I feel is meant by the quotes, it is about “the quality of what you know, not the quantity!” Ergo, to achieve the quality of knowledge and understanding means you focus on what matters and then you tweak it as you go along. In the case of principled and reality based self-protection in self-defense you have to not only maintain it over time you have to "to fix problems and figure out solutions to issues you didn't know existed while you were originally in training."

I know of another quote from MM that actually spoke of teaching self-defense through a short list of things you needed to do and it would not take all that long. It requires practice and tweaking as you go along but you can learn it fundamentally in one, fifteen minute, session. 

So, accumulate all that systems, styles, belts and techniques if you want because it is fun and interesting and challenging but if you truly want to achieve proficient and effective self-protection for self-defense then think, “Change-Improvement.” Remember, in part, Inosanto is right, I’m constantly learning all the time. Once you stop being a student you stop growing.

The learning process is key here and remaining in that mode is remaining a student of change and improvement. Improvement is making the changes, not just accumulation of things. Think, I train and practice by striving to "fix problems and figure out solutions to issues you (I) didn't know existed while you (I) were (WAS) originally in training."

For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)